Todd bought up a good point in the IH Shootin' the Breeze; you can't trust that your engine rpm is correct. If not messed with since being built, it could very well be low due to sloppy dealer set-up. If messed with by a previous owner (PO), then all bets are off.
Many of us (like myself) may have lived a previous life hot rodding cars where tachometers are easy. In the small engine world, tachs seem to be a less common, but they are more necessary on a governed engine.
So...especially when using a snow blower where you need every rpm available, it is worth checking what you got. I decided to use the "Tiny Tach" ( http://www.tinytach.com/tinytach/index.php ) which is adjustable to different small engine firing patterns. Very easy to install, just one wire to wrap any spark plug wire with, and one ground. I have bought two; I adjusted my 1861 with one (was set 600 rpm low), then installed them permanently on the dash of both my Supers, either of which could be called on for snow blower duty. Incidentally, the Magnum in the 1872 was low as well by about 300 rpm.
I am still waiting for the correct police to come after me for mounting a non-stock accessory to the dash... Someday I will try posting pics...
Engine rpm
- Tom Scott
- Chief Moderator
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- Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:11 pm
- First and Last Name: Tom Scott
- Location: Bentley Springs, Maryland
Engine rpm
1872, 46", 50C decks, Haban dozer blade, 450 snow blower
2182-1, Kwik-Way Loader, 3-pt & rear pto, 442 tiller
2182-2, 54" deck, 551 snow blower
Past tractors: 1541, 2135
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2182-1, Kwik-Way Loader, 3-pt & rear pto, 442 tiller
2182-2, 54" deck, 551 snow blower
Past tractors: 1541, 2135
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- vince_o
- Moderator
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- First and Last Name: Vince Ochiuto
- Location: Pickens, SC
Re: Engine rpm
Tom
Fran had us check every mower that came in the shop for service to see if the rpm's were corect. We used the tinny tachs with great results.
Fran had us check every mower that came in the shop for service to see if the rpm's were corect. We used the tinny tachs with great results.
"It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word."
-Andrew Jackson
-Andrew Jackson
- Farmallgray
- Posts: 1021
- Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 7:39 am
- First and Last Name: Todd Markle
- Location: Spring Mills, Pa
Re: Engine rpm
Here is what I use;
Seems to work great on all the gas engines I have tried it on. It is even smart enough to know if its on a magneto equipped briggs or a battery ignition Kohler.
I also bought a cheap photo tach on ebay for the diesels. Someone on the old site found them on there a while back.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-Laser-Photo ... 563f757dde
Seems to work great on all the gas engines I have tried it on. It is even smart enough to know if its on a magneto equipped briggs or a battery ignition Kohler.
I also bought a cheap photo tach on ebay for the diesels. Someone on the old site found them on there a while back.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-Laser-Photo ... 563f757dde
See my IH, Cub Cadet and tractor pulling youtube videos;
http://www.youtube.com/user/farmallgray
http://www.youtube.com/user/farmallgray