fuel

Finnbair2020 · Apr 29, 2011

Just an idle question-- any thoughts on the difference between fuel consumption in a Farmall H versus a Cub?-- mowing in similar conditions-- 5' bar on the Cub-- 7' bar on the H. Would the cub use about half the fuel as the H...? Obviously, you would be cutting more with the 7' bar but would the Cub be the more efficient machine, fuel-wise?

Janicholson · Apr 29, 2011

Probably about equal. The H would be running at PTO speed and nearly closed throttle. Over powered for the job by a factor of 3.
The cub will be working hard. Engine thermodynamice are best under higher load conditions as less of the power as a % is used to drag bigger engine parts around. So a small engine will work harder in its more efficient zone than a larger engine loafing.
But the cub is a flat head design and is not as efficient as an OHV design. So I go for a wash between them. The H will get done more than likely twice as fast. Jim

Bob M · Apr 29, 2011

Depends on how you define “efficiency”.

One measure of efficiency is work performed per gallon of fuel consumed. And Nebraska Tractor test data is a good way to make comparisons:

The Nebraska test for the Cub (#575) shows the Cub good for 9.38 hp-hr/gallon. However the test for the H (#333) yields 11.59 hp-hr/gallon. In other words you can expect 24% more work from a gallon of gas burned in an H than from a gallon burned in a Cub. (This incidentally is about what you’d expect: The Cub engine is a low compression side valve (flat head) design vs the H’s more efficient overhead valve layout.)

HOWEVER...to your example with both tractors mowing - which would have the Cub working a full load but the H just loafing - I suspect the fuel consumed per acre would be about same for either tractor.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 29, 2011

Another factor to consider is comfort . At 61 years young and I am cutting 3 acres each week , my cub has such a smooth ride as compared to other mowers I have owned !!Easy to handle . Cutting with a Woods 59 finish mower .
Heck with fuel , I go for comfort !

Janicholson · Apr 29, 2011

Gee we often have the same analysis!! Jim

Finnbair2020 · Apr 29, 2011

Thanks for the very interesting and informative responses. Maybe the Cub would compare more favorably when pulling a side delivery rake or an old kicker/tedder-- ? would cover the same amount of ground as an H on a similar implement but wouldn't be 'loafing'?

dan mcdonald · Apr 30, 2011

Funny that you asked that.I have a cub with the woods 59 deck and an H with a woods 7"deck. The H does a hole lot more work for the little bit more fuel it uses. The H can be run in 3 gear the Cub most of the time first. In tall grass the Cub struggles the H wont slow down. Don"t get me wrong I do love my Cub.

State of Jefferson · Apr 30, 2011

You will likely only be able to cut in 1st gear with the cub. The H will probly be able to go in 3rd or 4th. Might burn a little more fuel per hour, but you'll be able to cover a WHOLE LOT more acres with the H.

Ben

Marlin taylor · Apr 30, 2011

what is the running time on a full tank on a H, say mowing all day?

dan mcdonald · Apr 30, 2011

I have never mowed all day. I mow about 6 acres it uses a little over 2 gallons. I know I can put a 5 gallon can in it and cut grass two times without much gas left in tank.

CNKS · Apr 30, 2011

At full load, about 7-8 hrs.

SouthernFarmall · Apr 30, 2011

On something where you can only go so fast, like a rake, the cub would get twice the fuel economy. But, when considering the amount of work done, the answer isn't always so clear. For example, my cub takes a 12" slice when plowing. The 140 does 28". Since the cub gets 2.5 times better economy, it would seem as if it is more efficient. But, you also must consider that, most of the time, the cub plows in first (2 mph) and the 140 in second (3.5 mph). So, on a gallon of fuel, the 140 can plow a 28" furrow for 1.25 miles. The cub, on the other hand, can plow a 12" furrow for 2.4 miles.
24x1.25=30 inch-miles plowed (140)
12x2.4=28.8 inch miles plowed (Cub)

So, for heavy work, a big tractor is more efficient, and on light work, a little tractor is more economic.
SF

scotc · May 1, 2011

With the 400, 400, and SM, I always raked in 3rd or 4th gear, usually 4th, about half throttle. A cub only has 3 gears. I could rake all day with the SM on a little over a bucket of fuel, and it would get more done vs a cub.

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