Gas consumption

[Wdj]

My brother has a 1020 gas he leaves at my place mostly to use when haying. It’s a joy to operate and sized right for my 3 point implements. Has a loader and I really like green paint. However… I can’t believe how much gas it burns! At least twice as much as my Ford 860, maybe more doing the same work. I realize its heavier and has more parasitic load from hydraulics. Starts and runs good. Ignition tuned and timed per JD service manual. Load needle adjusted just rich enough to pull smooth under load. A small puff of black smoke with sudden acceleration, none otherwise. Am I missing something or are all this way? Oil level never changes, doesn’t smell of gas or appear thin. Any input appreciated.

 

[wore out]

My brother has a 1020 gas he leaves at my place mostly to use when haying. It’s a joy to operate and sized right for my 3 point implements. Has a loader and I really like green paint. However… I can’t believe how much gas it burns! At least twice as much as my Ford 860, maybe more doing the same work. I realize its heavier and has more parasitic load from hydraulics. Starts and runs good. Ignition tuned and timed per JD service manual. Load needle adjusted just rich enough to pull smooth under load. A small puff of black smoke with sudden acceleration, none otherwise. Am I missing something or are all this way? Oil level never changes, doesn’t smell of gas or appear thin. Any input appreciated.

The Nebraska Tests show the Ford to be a little more fuel efficient, but there shouldn't be a 2:1 difference, that would be unheard of.

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2084&context=tractormuseumlit

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1412&context=tractormuseumlit

Look at the hp hr per gallon numbers.

 

[Tom in Mo.]

I had a 1020 for twenty years and it was the same way. Ran like a top, tons of power, and loved to guzzle gas. That's the cost of having a good tractor. And even with a muffler it was earsplittingly loud.

 

[PeterE]

The test results are interesting. In the stationary PTO tests, the 1020 burns about 10% more, on average, across the power range. In the drawbar test, however, it burns almost 20% more fuel to generate only 4% more power.

Still no where near the 100% you say you are seeing.

 

[Wdj]

If it was only 20% different I would figure it was just the difference in weight and hydraulics. Thanks for the information.

 

[Tom in Mo.]

I have owned a bunch of 172 CI Fords and they all gobbled fuel when they were running best. My little 1020 sucked fuel too and had gobs of power.

 

[Wdj]

I have owned a bunch of 172 CI Fords and they all gobbled fuel when they were running best. My little 1020 sucked fuel too and had gobs of power.

I’ve used the 860 quite a bit with a 6’ bush hog in canary grass and blackberries, works it pretty good. Doesn’t seem to bad on fuel. The 1020 feels to me like it’s a little underpowered for its weight although no problem getting the job done. Could be just perspective based on what Im used to. My comments on fuel consumption are based on how many cans of gas get poured in, not a scientific analysis. Would like to understand why the difference. I don’t expect them to be as efficient as my diesel’s.

 

[buickanddeere]

Idle needle adjustment?

 

[Wdj]

Idle needle adjustment?

I’ll take another look at that.

 

[buickanddeere]

My brother has a 1020 gas he leaves at my place mostly to use when haying. It’s a joy to operate and sized right for my 3 point implements. Has a loader and I really like green paint. However… I can’t believe how much gas it burns! At least twice as much as my Ford 860, maybe more doing the same work. I realize its heavier and has more parasitic load from hydraulics. Starts and runs good. Ignition tuned and timed per JD service manual. Load needle adjusted just rich enough to pull smooth under load. A small puff of black smoke with sudden acceleration, none otherwise. Am I missing something or are all this way? Oil level never changes, doesn’t smell of gas or appear thin. Any input appreciated.

Coolant temp ?
Visually verified by looking at the actual choke blade , that it is wide open ?

 

[Wdj]

Coolant temp correct, recent thermostat and pump. I will take a look at the choke.

 

[NoDakInMN]

I know we Americans like to use just about anything as a standard of measurement, football fields and the like, but using twice as much gas as a different tractor is a pretty poor measurement. How about an approximation of gallons per hour? That would be a tangible measurement by which we could tell if it is excessive or not.

 

[Blackhole49]

I’ve used the 860 quite a bit with a 6’ bush hog in canary grass and blackberries, works it pretty good. Doesn’t seem to bad on fuel. The 1020 feels to me like it’s a little underpowered for its weight although no problem getting the job done. Could be just perspective based on what Im used to. My comments on fuel consumption are based on how many cans of gas get poured in, not a scientific analysis. Would like to understand why the difference. I don’t expect them to be as efficient as my diesel’s.

I to would like to hear some actual numbers. Fill the 860 and mow for an hour the refill. Immediately put the same mower on the 1020 and do the same and see what the difference is. BTW: Don't take this as saying you are wrong. Not that it matters, when I first bought this place, I cut 3 acres with a Case 446 (16hp) and a 48" mower. If I tried to do it with a full 3 gallon tank I would run out of gas before finishing every time and it ran perfect. After 10 years, I bought a Kubota B7100 HST (also 16 hp but diesel) with a 60" mower and a 3 gallon tank. While semi retired now, it will still cut my 3 acres 2 1/2 times on 3 gallons of fuel.

 

[buickanddeere]

The 20 and 30 series two cylinder gas tractors had fuel efficiency of approx 12 HP per gallon per hour . That the later four and six cylinder models could not match that with approximately 9 HP per gallon per hour .

iirc the 18 HP per gallon per hour rate is among the better diesel tractors . Then again a gallon of diesel contains approx 115% more energy vs a gallon of gasoline .
Wish that the graph numbers could be located for a 6.2 chev DI to indicate Hp per gallon per hour .

 

[buickanddeere]

Depends on who is operating the machine and what the task is .

Most pilots understand the difference of cruising at fine prop pitch , high rpm, high manifold vacuum and part throttle . Vs cruising with a coarse pitch , lower rpm , low manifold pressure and the throttle open fairly wide .

The posted diagram requires some study . However it reveals that the same engine can operated at 20% efficiency or at 37% efficiency.

Operating at just above peak torque rpms and at 85% of max power appears to be the sweet spot on this graph .

 

[buickanddeere]

If there had not been a change of government and if Tier V regulations were enacted . Would be not have been surprised if more DI gas engines appeared in the under 100 HP equipment market .

 

[Wdj]

Next spring-summer I’ll see about setting up a comparison. No steady tractor work going now, just some puttzing around. This time of year you just make a mudhole in nw Oregon. Thank you all for your response.

 

[Mobuck]

Perspective of more vs less aside, a similar sized FORD 4000 gas will use around 4 gallons of gas per hour under hard, steady pull (3x14" plow or 10' wheel disc).