Run a Hydrostatic Lawn Tractor on Part Throttle When Not Mowing?

[velvetfoot]

I've been doing that at half throttle, but yesterday I tried running around at lower than that. I noticed it bogged down a little going up a hill, and I bumped up the throttle a little, and up it went.

Am I doing any harm, as long as it's pulling smoothly?

 

[smokinj]

Yea that pretty much what I do. I do not run full throttle unless pulling something or mowing. I put it down to idle for 20 seconds or so before turning off.

 

[jeff_t]

Me, too, but I let it idle for a couple of minutes before I shut it off. Let the fans cool the engine and hydros off a bit.

My mother in law lives on a river, and has a steep hill in her back yard. She called one day and said her JD wouldn't go up the hill anymore, even when not mowing. I looked at it, started it up, and finished mowing for her, downhill and up. She was flooring the pedal going up the hill, like a gas pedal. I had to explain to her how a hydro works, and she needs to let up on the pedal going up the hill for more power, like downshifting. I'm still not sure she understands, but she does it.

 

[velvetfoot]

Thanks. I've gotten used to the hand controls on my Ariens, and I think foot controls might be a hindrance when leaning over on the hill.

 

[smokinj]

Thanks. I've gotten used to the hand controls on my Ariens, and I think foot controls might be a hindrance when leaning over on the hill.

Foot peddles make for really fast turns. Mine has one pedal for forward and reverse and coupled with a stirring wheel knob awesome. I have a ditch that's pretty pitchy no issues.

 

[gzecc]

I've been doing that at half throttle, but yesterday I tried running around at lower than that. I noticed it bogged down a little going up a hill, and I bumped up the throttle a little, and up it went.

Am I doing any harm, as long as it's pulling smoothly?

Just realize that the hydro is supplied with more or less fluid depending on the rpms that your've selected. If your under any additional load, you should have the rpms up high to supply the hydro with as much fluid as it wants.

 

[MasterMech]

Part throttle is fine for light transport but with any real load on it..... Wind 'Er up. The extra airflow from the fan will benefit the trans longevity. Heat is the enemy.

 

[lukem]

Just have to find the sweet spot in terms of engine RPM and hydros. If you hear the pump groaning give it more RPM or less forward speed. More throttle is cooler operation but wastes gas if you aren't challenging the machine.

 

[velvetfoot]

It's hard to believe they only get 20 hp. out of 650 cc.
This machine isn't a zero turn thing, whatever it's called.

 

[MasterMech]

It's hard to believe they only get 20 hp. out of 650 cc.
This machine isn't a zero turn thing, whatever it's called.

That has a lot to do with the fact that the compression is relatively low compared to say.... a Suzuki SV650 (650 cc 90 deg V-Twin, 70 ish bhp) and the max RPM is 3600 give or take. Whereas the motorcycle engine is redlining over twice that. (my SV1000 was red-lined at 11K)

HP = Torque x RPM / 5252

Figure out what the motorcycle makes for HP at 3600 rpm and I'm guessing it'll be closer than you think.

 

[lukem]

Lawnmowers don't need HP as much as they need torque. My 850CC only puts out 31 HP...small 1100CC diesels only put out about 28HP, but 70ish lbft.