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101-008 Engine Operating Range
General Information
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine
at full throttle below peak
torque rpm (refer to engine
dataplate for peak torque
rpm) for more than 30
seconds. Operating the
engine at full throttle below
peak torque will shorten
engine life to overhaul, can
cause serious engine
damage, and is considered
engine abuse.
Cummins® engines are
designed to operate
successfully at full throttle
under transient conditions
down to peak torque engine
speed. This is consistent with
recommended operating
practices.
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine
beyond the maximum
engine speed. Operating
the engine beyond the
maximum engine speed
can cause severe engine
damage. Use proper
operating techniques for
the vehicle, vessel, or
equipment to prevent
engine overspeed. The
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Engine Operating Range Page 2 of 3
maximum engine speed
specification is listed in
Maintenance Specifications
(Section V).
CAUTION
Do not idle the engine for
excessively long periods.
Long periods of idling, more
than 10 minutes, can cause
poor engine performance.
Low-Load Operation
Cummins® High Horsepower Lean-Burn Natural Gas fuelled engines can be operated at
low loads as long as the operating time at low loads does not exceed Cummins® Inc
recommendations.
Operating at low loads causes low intake manifold pressures, which can result in higher-
than-normal oil lubrication of the valves, piston rings and cylinder liners. Excess oil
consumption over long periods of time causes carbon deposits that will result in a misfire
condition due to spark plug fouling, as well as excessive carbon build-up on the cylinder
head, exhaust and intake valves, and piston rings.
Prolonged low-load operation will also have an adverse impact on service intervals.
Recommended Hours of Operation at Low Loads
The table below details the maximum length of time that Cummins® Inc recommends that
Cummins High Horsepower Lean-Burn Naturally Gas fuelled engines should be run at
various low-lod conditions. Following a period of low-load operation the engine should be
operated at higher loads as detailed in the table below.
NOTE: The engine can be run continuously at any load at 70% or above without
excessive oil consumption or excessive carbon deposit build-up.
MAXIMUM ENGINE RUN TIMES AT LOW-LOAD CONDITIONS FOR HIGH
HORSEPOWER LEAN-BURN NATURAL GAS FUELLED ENGINES WITH TORQUE-
OVER-BOOST (TOB) FUELLING CONTROL
Percent Load % Maximum Low-Load Hours Hours of Operation at >70% Load
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Engine Operating Range Page 3 of 3
For example, an engine should not be run for more than 5 hours at 40% load. The hours at
low-load are cumulative, i.e. stopping an engine after 2 hours at 40% load does not mean
that an additional 5 hours at 40% load is available on re-start. Following the 5 hours of
operation at 40% load, the engine should be operated at a load equal to or greater than
70% load for a minimum of 10 hours.
Last Modified: 23-Feb-2011
Copyright © 2000-2010 Cummins Inc. All rights reserved.
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