any one ever used a 3-71.

[jdw]

So I have located a 3-71 power unit and thinking about buying it to replace the 300 6cyl on my mill now. Has any one ever used the 3-71 does it have enuff power? I run a 56 inch blade the 300 6cyl has enuff power but drinks the gas.

[richhiway]

I looked up the h.P and torque of the two engines and they are fairly close. What rpm do you need to run at?

[jdw]

I run about 1800 rpm but looks like the diesel would have more torque.

[Ron Wenrich]

I've seen a lot of 4-71 power units on mills.  They're rated at 160 hp.  The 3-71 has 113 hp.  The rule of thumb is 5 hp per inch of wood that you cut.  Seems that the 3-71 should take a 22" cut, but you don't have any power to run anything else, like feedworks.  Depends on what all you want your power unit to do.  We used to run a 6-71, but we also ran our hydraulics off of it, and that was used on the edger.  Also depends on how big of logs you're cutting. 

[Gearbox]

I run one on a 50 in blade it is set at 120 hp . I run a 8 in flat belt and about the time it starts to bark I have to stop and put the belt back on . That 3-71 will work circles around that 300  6.

[Possum Creek]

I have one turning a 46" saw and it works great they have really responsive governors, I wouldn't trade one 3-71 detroit for a field full of 300 6 cylinder to pull a mill with.                            PC