TEA20 Low Power

[Scarboroughseadog]

Low on power. E.g. when topping (new 4ft flemming- set highest) needs to be in 1st or 2nd, and struggles up light incline topping thistles in first. Can't manage 4th on gentle incline with link box (raised) 1/2 full of gravel. TVO mix is good. Oil good, but pressure drops to about 20 when hot. Starts fine etc. White smoke when changing to TVO but that goes after a while.

Any thoughts?

 

[trac]

20 is ok on the oil you do know that it is a 50 year old machine i only go in first gear when i cut 4th. gear is very fast with anything behind it you may be asking to much but the governor may be weak if John UK sees this he might be the man to talk to!

 

[Z-man]

I'm not sure what your doing with the tractor but at best it has 20hp gas, meaning it no power house, so if I had to guess maybe head gasket or crack in block if your blowing white smoke??

 

[Bob (Aust)]

I'm not sure what your doing with the tractor but at best it has 20hp gas

The 85 mm TEA20 is 28 belt HP, marginally less than a TO30's 29 belt HP.

If you are running it on TVO, then surely it is a TED20, which is 23 belt HP? If it is a TEA20 running on TVO I doubt it would run at all?

My TEA20 will easily pull a four foot slasher/brushhog, low cut in thick grass or undergrowth, in 2nd or 3rd gear.

20 PSI is not the greatest but OK and the engine would be getting adequate lubrication.

Could be any one of many ills. John (UK) is the genius but even he may need a few more clues. Before you start looking internally, have you checked:

[list:520fbfbf1d]* Coil and condenser?
* Points and Plugs?
* Ignition Timing?
* Fuel Flow (at the drain cock on the Zenith carby)?
* Carby?
* Compression?
[/list:u:520fbfbf1d]
Smokey exhaust could indicate valves or rings have reached their use by date, but a wet and dry compression check results should give you clues.

Bob in Oz
'53 TEA20

 

[Joe Scribner]

The power your tractor makes depends on a few things . If you have the 80mm engine it makes much less power than the 85mm engine. Your tune-up also makes a big difference. Ignition timing , point gap and carb settings can make a huge difference in how it works under load. Get a proper manual for your year and model and make sure the engine is sound and then properly tuned up. I'm betting you have some more horsepower available with a tune-up.

My 54 TEA20 makes good power. I use it to pull a Ferguson 10-AO-28 two furrow plow and it will bury the plow out of sight and keep pulling. I also use it to disc and use a six foot back blade to plow snow. I haven't run out of usable power yet.

 

[Tony in Mass.]

I hate to sound like a fuddy dud... again... and you probably have operator's manuals... but I just don't get it. People want to do tillage in 3rd or 4th gear of a 4 speed tractor. I barely feel safe going down a paved road with ag cleat tires in 4th. Turf treads are more stable, but nearly all farm accidents- like cars, are speed related. Sometime in the last millennium I was taught... plowing 1st gear. Other tillage or tough jobs 2nd if possible. 3rd takes you down farm lanes and dirt roads. 4th is to go home on pavement. Stay within these guidelines and you and your fergie might last a long time. when people try to keep up with 100 horse and gps rows, it just won't happen long. these machines were designed to replace the horse... for people who don't relate to animals.. the first fergies were build at the same time the last Spitfires were made... so take it with a grain of salt, and be patient with it...

 

[Bob (Aust)]

...the first fergies were build at the same time the last Spitfires were made...

Love your analogy but I assure you, a Spitfire with 27 litre/1,650 cubic inch, 2,060 HP V12 Rolls Royce Merlin 133/134 at full stick would certainly pull a triple gang mover, double bottom plough and a seeder ....... and still get airborne!

:lol:

 

[Charles in Aus.]

Here you go Bob !

 

[Bob (Aust)]

Yes Charles, aren't they magnificent? And the sound is something else!

I'm old enough to remember the Merlin engine aircraft, mostly the Australian built CA-18 Mustang (North American P51 Mustang) and the four engine Avro Lincolns.

And in 1938 the unit cost of a Merlin was UK£ 2,000 and UK£350 for the propeller!

 

[Tony in Mass.]

Wasn't this one hanging from a crane in the Battle of Britain movie??? I watched it the other night... for the 20 or 30th time since I was a kid and it was in the movie houses... I will never tire of the sound of those Merlins.. or the sight of Susanna York's nickers..... it's like I was 13 again...

 

[Charles in Aus.]

the sight of Susanna York's nickers

Ah the memories!

I once saw a Mustang land and take off from Point Cook , an amazing aircraft and extraordinary sound . Though my favourite will always be the Vampire jet .