Do tractors go better after 8pm?

Cowabunga

Member
Location
Ceredigion,Wales
Modern electronically controlled diesel engines measure fuel by mass not volume so warmer fuel does not affect power.
I quote:
Larry Tracey, Chief Engineer/Project Manager - Advanced Robotics at Major Defense Contractor (2001-present)

Pre-electronic engines metered fuel by volume and not mass, whether gasoline engines with a carburetor or mechanical fuel injection or Diesel engines with mechanical fuel injection. For anything beyond a carburetor, the mechanical fuel system required some amount of fuel to cool the fuel system. That fuel is returned to the fuel tank along with waste heat. The bottom line is as the fuel tank level dropped, the fuel would get hotter. In the late ‘80’s, the Ford V-8 gasoline ambulances had return fuel back to the tank that was so hot it exceeded the vapor point of gasoline. If the ambulance was idling, a common practice, the fuel tank cap would vent gasoline vapor that would hit an ignition source and the result was exploding ambulances became all too common. It is the reason ambulances now are all diesel powered.

Diesels have the same waste heat going back to the fuel tank. Diesel has a higher vapor point than gasoline but as the fuel gets hotter, it would get less dense and result in a loss of power. As Diesel engines switched to higher pressure fuel systems for emissions purposes, the waste heat in the return fuel to the tank got worse and many vehicles had to implement fuel coolers. Full electronic engines have fuel temperature sensors to compensate for increased fuel temperature in order to prevent power loss at high fuel temperatures. The fuel cooler is still required as even Diesel engines can heat the return fuel up to the vapor point. I am aware of one pickup truck program where a prototype vehicle caught fire because of excessive fuel temperature at low fuel condition.
Yet the fuel temperature can indeed get very hot and from experience I do know that even common-rail engines do reduce in power as the fuel gets hot. I have not noticed this with air temperature, but of course it only gets to the mid-20'sC here in the UK regularly in Summer.
Yes, some, possibly all CR fuel system engines need and have fuel coolers.
 

fermerboy

Member
Location
Banffshire
I know all the technical thinking on this, cooler damp air, vs fuel being hot after a day of working, extra lights taking power, etc etc.
But certainly with older non turbo tractors I reckon they go better on a nice cold even a frosty night.
And cars too, my Gti used to go really well on a decent late night run.
Its quite possibly in the mind though, as i defy anybody to notice a couple of horsepower gain which is all it is in reality.

That said I generally work better late on the day too, If I get "in the zone" and everything is right I can cover a hell of a ground in an evening/night.
 

David.

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
J11 M40
Went and looked with/for a mate, we put it 12-13k...
Don't feel half so bad having paid nearly 16 for a late, immaculate 3500hr one last year now :eek:
 
Last edited:

Fendtbro

Member
Both my tractors pull a gear higher up the same hill on a cool evening versus warm day. Noticed it for years.. no intercooler on either but the mb 1500 is getting one soon!
 

Welshram

Member
I think it’s a combination of the engine is still hot from working all day and the air is nice and cool in the evening giving you a lot more bang for your bucks plus every horse 🐎 will kick it up a notch when you turn its head for home
 

ColinV6

Member
LED lights are one of the biggest productivity enhancements for years. The added visibility makes the job easier, faster and a LOT safer.

I often feel that machines work better in the evening just because the whole thing is a bit cooler. Lower air temperature so less heat being accumulated in the hydraulic oil, air con not having to work as hard and less bright sunlight for the operator to contend with as well.

LED work lights are fantastic, however does anyone else feel that the actual tractor headlights even on brand new stuff is woefully inadequate? Borderline dangerous. Almost have to put the lower side work lights on to see down the side when turning into junctions etc?
 
LED work lights are fantastic, however does anyone else feel that the actual tractor headlights even on brand new stuff is woefully inadequate? Borderline dangerous. Almost have to put the lower side work lights on to see down the side when turning into junctions etc?

That is very common even on some premium non-xenon cars. They answer is to just buy better quality halogen bulbs from Osram or similar. Transformed my Volvo to the extent that I rarely use full beam headlights really- the light thrown beyond the extent of the beam with dipped headlights is enough to reflect from road signs and the white lines to enable you to effectively see well into the distance.
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 80 42.3%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 66 34.9%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 30 15.9%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 7 3.7%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

  • 1,294
  • 1
As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
Top