Two speakers walk through setting the e23/e18 transmission for implements that need low hydraulic flow. They explain when to use Full Auto mode and how to adjust Custom mode based on what you see the tractor doing in the field.
So you have your tractor hooked up to an implement that doesn't require a lot of hydraulic flow and now you need to set the transmission before going.
Out to the field. Remind you of the importance to make sure your tractor is ballasted and the tires are inflated properly. Any tractor that is not ballasted correctly or has improperly inflated tires will not perform to its maximum potential regardless of transmission setting. An example of a low hydraulic flow implement would be a tillage implementation that requires hydraulic flow to mainly raise and lower to complete headland turns. These would be unlike implements like planters that use oil flow to operate vacuum motors, variable rate drives, etc. For low hydraulic flow implements, we recommend starting with Full Auto mode because it is simple, fast and requires no additional setup. The eco engine speeds, load anticipation and droop settings are automatically set for the operator in Full Auto. Now, you might be wondering how John Deere determined these Full Auto settings. Well, engineers gathered and analyzed data through product development and testing. In many applications, this information was used to determine the settings where the tractors perform best in most field applications and conditions. But when you consider all of the potential applications these tractors could be used in, it may not be a one size fits all solution. Having selected Full Auto, I am done making transmission settings and it is time to confirm if these settings are correct or if they need further adjustment. As I make my first pass or two across the field, I am observing the tractor for any signs of performance related problems. For example, is the tractor short on power? Am I able to come close to reaching my set speed? Is it shifting too much? Is my wheel slip in the desired 8 to 12% range? Is the implement showing signs of not enough hydraulic flow? Is the PTO speed correct? Asking these types of questions will help you gauge if the tractor is performing how you expect and if it is not, they will help provide clues for adjustment.
I am happy with how this tractor is performing, which tells me that Full Auto mode is the best mode suited for this application. But what if the tractor is not performing as expected? In those situations we can switch to custom mode and make adjustments based on the particular symptom the tractor is experiencing, which we will cover in separate videos. In summary, because of its simplicity, we recommend starting with Full Auto mode when operating implements that don't require a lot of hydraulic flow, and when we go to the field we can determine whether or not we need to adjust these settings further in custom mode.
