Recommended Engine Speeds and Operating Procedures

LV14742-UN-30AUG11

A - Tachometer

B - 1645 RPM Mark (540E)

C - 2100 RPM Mark (540)

Warm Up Engine

Do not place tractor under full load until it is properly warmed up.

1. Idle engine at 1200—1500 rpm for several minutes.

2. Run engine at about 1900 rpm and under light load until engine reaches normal operating condition.

   NOTE: If engine is hard to start during cold weather, operate cold weather start aid, if equipped. (Refer to “Cold Weather Start Aid” in this section.)

   NOTE: If hydraulic functions operate slowly, warm the transmission-hydraulic system oil. (Refer to “Warm Transmission-Hydraulic System Oil” in Hydraulic System Controls and Operations section.)

Avoid Idling Engine

Allowing engine to idle at low rpm uses fuel inefficiently, and can cause a buildup of carbon in the engine.

If tractor must be left with the engine running more than 3 or 4 minutes, minimum engine speed should be 1200 rpm.

Observe Engine Work and Idle Speeds

1. Low idle speed:

   • 900 ± 25 rpm.
   
   

2. High idle speed, at light or no load:

   • 2400 ± 25 rpm.
   
   

3. Engine nominal full load speed is 1600—2400 rpm.

4. NOTE: With PTO shift lever in 540E position, engine high idle speed is limited to 1815 rpm.

   Engine speed at PTO operation:

   • For economy 540E PTO operations (light PTO implement load), run engine at 1645 rpm (B).
   • For standard 540 PTO operations (PTO load demands full engine power), run engine at 2100 rpm (C).
   
   

Restart Stalled Engine

If engine stops running due to overload, immediately restart engine. A running engine causes oil and coolant to circulate, which prevents abnormal heat buildup. If engine stalls but does not stop running due to overload, run at low idle for 1 or 2 minutes in order to dissipate heat buildup.