High horsepower 4 Cylinders, will they last?!

[F1 657283]

So we are seeing high horse power 4 Cylinder tractors up to 200HP in the Massey Ferguson range. Are they as reliable as a straight 6? Do they have the tourque of a 6 cylinder ? Pros cons ? Are they here to stay? First tractor a drove was. 6930 150HP , it could run rings round a 4 Cylinder 200HP that I’ve being driving recently. Give me your thoughts !

 

[JJT]

The 6 cylinder version of that engine is pushing 300hp, so why not 200 from 4 cylinders.

 

[F1 657283]

A 6.8 litre Deere engine putting out 150HP must be more reliable ? Those engines must be working hellish hard and boosting up.

 

[MF 168]

Up to 150hp I'd have no issue with but 200hp from a 4 banger is to much in my view. Those high hp 4 bangers aren't exactly light on diesel either.

 

[F1 657283]

Up to 150hp I'd have no issue with but 200hp from a 4 banger is to much in my view. Those high hp 4 bangers aren't exactly light on diesel either.

Yeah I drive one at the moment and she’s thirsty. It boosts to 175HP but just struggles. Plus is a light tractor. Could do with a long stroke six cylinder

 

[daveydiesel1]

Heard of the 6718 givin trouble with turbos. Id go for the 7719 if it was me

 

[Sharpy]

Not that long ago about 85 hp was the reliable limit for a 4 cylinder, now its routinely 150. Evolution.

 

[Cowabunga]

They should last just as long and be as reliable as a six cylinder while being sharper in response and more economical.
The usual issue with large hp four cylinder tractors is that they are fitted with much smaller fuel tanks than the same power six, so the tank level goes down much faster, giving the impression to some that they are less economical.

 

[HarryB97]

I love my Valtra N174 Direct (boosts to 200hp) I think they are definitely hear to stay. Physically smaller, lighter and with an unbelievable turning circle despite being on 600s at the front and 710s on the rear. It's incredibly economical. It burns 2-3 litres an acre on our 4.6 metre Simba Xpress at 11k at 1500-1700rpm, 1 litre an acre on the rolls and 1.5 litres an acre on the twin rotor rake. Despite being lighter and shorter than other models it doesn't need a weight on the front with 2 tonne of fert in the spinner or a 3.2 metre mounted mower conditioner on the back, I would definitely have another tomorrow.

 

[Wellytrack]

Are you sure the 6930 was 150? They usually do A LOT stronger than that.

 

[Frankzy]

Do they have the tourque of a 6 cylinder ?

Quick look at the brochures would say: almost. Doesn't matter very much though if you have a CVT.

This is a lot like how cars used to manage 180 hp out of a big V8 while today that same size V8 could be cranked up to 800 hp without too much bother..

 

[Mc115reed]

We’ve got a 6718 fergy here and I’d rather drive that than our 7718 it’s never seen a spanner on about 4000hrs the only fergy we have that is reliable [emoji23] have it on our 120x90 baler and goes well, had it on triple mowers yesterday and was steady but managed, on maize last year was rarely ever stuck with 16 ton trailer on its a right little power train on 650 tyres

 

[traineefarmer]

It's not the cylinder count, but the cubic capacity that matters. Some of those sub 4 litre engines must be running massive boost pressure.

 

[roscoe erf]

ahh the 6/'4 debate just had a delivery so im ok

 

[Timbo]

It's not the cylinder count, but the cubic capacity that matters. Some of those sub 4 litre engines must be running massive boost pressure.

1.7bar wouldn't be uncommon, but also wouldn't be excessive. Given we're close to 100hp / litre in automotive diesels ( 2litre, 190+hp ) , a 5 litre tractor motor is not over 50hp / litre yet.

Peak cylinder pressure is what governs output and a tractor motor, even a big 4 pot is not near to the industry considered safe max of 300bar.

 

[MrNuts]

Are you sure the 6930 was 150? They usually do A LOT stronger than that.

6930S 155hp, 6930 Premium 155hp boosted to 167hp

 

[Wellytrack]

6930S 155hp, 6930 Premium 155hp boosted to 167hp

Locally I know of a few that were tested doing over 180 at shaft from new, never tampered with.

 

[MrNuts]

Locally I know of a few that were tested doing over 180 at shaft from new, never tampered with.

Yeah, they're chipped. Euro stage 3a engines were terrible and almost every single 6930 was chipped.

 

[MrNuts]

Yeah, they're chipped. Euro stage 3a engines were terrible and almost every single 6930 was chipped.

an

Locally I know of a few that were tested doing over 180 at shaft from new, never tampered with.

and 180hp on the PTO equates to 211hp on the flywheel.

 

[Wellytrack]

I think people are still conditioned to the idea of a six cylinder soundtrack equals power.