It could be either a cooling problem or it could too much load for your tractor. That can not be determined from the information provided. I did a quick Google search for water pump horsepower and found a lot of good sites with online calculators.
I used one online calculator from Washington State University: 120psi pressure 500 GPM flow rate 75 percent pump efficiency = 46.6 brake horsepower. That would be about 85 percent of your tractor's maximum power, about the maximum continuous load you would want on a 55HP tractor. That is a pretty good match if everything is at face value.
Now into the details:
Are you actually moving 500GPM at 120psi? If 500GPM is the maximum GPM rating of the pump at almost no pressure, you could actually be moving much less flow at 120psi, requiring much less power.
Is your pump rated for 120 psi or more? If it isn't you might be in a less efficient range for the pump, requiring more HP. The pump curves for your model pump would be very helpful. They should be in the operators manual, or from the manufacturer.
Is your tractor rated at 55 PTOHP at the 1500 RPMs you are running it? If the tractor is rated 55 HP at 2500 rpm, a somewhat lower HP at 2100 RPM standard PTO speed, and it is throttled down to run at 1500 RPM, then it would be overloaded trying to turn an actual 46 HP load at only 1500 RPM.
More detailed info would help.
If you have 40 psi at the sprinklers, the 30 to 40 foot rise is 13 to 18 psi, so your friction losses are between 40 to 60 psi, about half your power requirement. Can you take any low cost steps to reduce your friction losses?
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - My Ford Golden Jubilee - by Troy Estes. This article is about my '53 Ford Jubilee and a story that starts with taking the tractor to my brother's Starter/Alternator Rebuilding shop for a wiring fix. The generator was shot as well as all the wiring. I dropped off the tractor expecting a transformation from a 6 volt to a 12 volt system utilizing the original generator housing, and a total rewiring of the whole tractor. The front end center pin bushing was worn also so I ask that they replace it if they had time. Well, that’s wha
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
