ISB Engine Operating Tips From Cummins

[HBarlow]

Browsing on the "mother website" this morning I ran across this handy set of guidelines for operating the Cummins engine including DPF technology. It is labeled for motorhomes but seems to relate to general application Cummins engines.

One of the subjects that often comes up on the TDR website is some form of the question, "at what RPM should I operate my Cummins?". Cummins is real clear on this subject stating several times that the engine is designed to operate at the lowest possible rpm and states the driver should allow it to lug down to 1200-1300 rpm on grades before shifting down.

Also interesting is the mention of some vehicle platforms providing hardware to force a regen at the driver's discretion or to prevent a regen, also at driver's discretion.

http://www.everytime.cummins.com/assets/pdf/MotorhomeFAQ_031709.pdf

 

[hwkdrvr]

Interesting read - thanks for the article harvey. I also found the comments about B20 interesting. Previously, I thought that we were only able to run B5, not B20.

 

[PGarrett]

does this change any ones opinion about the 342 rear gear in the new trucks

 

[HBarlow]

does this change any ones opinion about the 342 rear gear in the new trucks

No, it doesn't change mine because I've owned and towed with an '01 with 3. 54 rear end. It was great with an 8000-9000 lb. aluminum skinned travel trailer but not a great performer with a 14,000 fiver. If it had had a seven or eight speed transmission with a very low first and reverse gear for launch it would have been okay.

The engine is entirely capable of pulling heavy loads at or near 1600 rpm which is the bottom end of the flat torque band but, Ram pickups don't have enough gears to pull heavy with this gear and can't stay on the torque band in 6th gear OD at speeds below 75 mph.

The mh in the Cummins example used a 3. 9:1 gear, IIRC.

 

[bheiting]

Thanks Harv. Another great resource to keep on the desk top.

 

[AABEN]

I run all winter with 22. 900+ lb and have no trouble. I run from IN. to CA. I have some very hard pulls. My miles for the round trip was 6. 866 miles the truck over all avg per mile was 14. 2 MPG. 3. 73 gear I only went to 4 four times on the hard pulls that is going out and back home. Pulling my 38ft fifth wheel with a 100gal in bed fuel tank all the goodies