John Deere's E23 and E18 transmissions use load anticipation to briefly spike engine speed when you lower implements, so the tractor responds faster to sudden resistance. Two technicians explain how it works and why it matters.
John Deere E23 and E18 transmissions are both equipped with a feature called load anticipation. But what does load anticipation do? Well? In this video, I will answer that question as we explore the purpose of load anticipation when operating at low engine speeds. Load anticipation provides a temporary boost in engine speed when a PTO hitch or SCV function is activated. This helps the tractor respond quicker to oncoming loads, such as when an implement is lowered into the ground after completing a headland turn.
This boost in engine speed is active for only as long as that function is active. For example, with an SCV detent of 3 seconds, observe when I detent the SCV to either the extend or retract positions, the engine speed is increased for three seconds and then returns to the original engine speed when the SCV shuts off. Load anticipation can be turned on or off for each of the PTO hitch or SCV functions on the custom settings page. The amount of the boost varies depending on the current engine speed and it is not adjustable with load anticipation off for the scv, watch on the corner post how the tractor responds as I complete a headland turn with load anticipation off. There is no boost in engine speed when I activated the SCV and the tractor was slow to respond when the implement engaged the soil. Now I will turn load anticipation on and notice this time as soon as I activate the SCV switch, the engine speed increases and the transmission downshifts before the implement engages the soil and the tractor is not lugged down.
Remember, load anticipation simply provides a temporary boost in engine speed to help the tractor respond to oncoming loads, such as when an implement is lowered into the ground.
