Diesel Tuner's Blog

Harvest is one of the busiest times of year for farmers. Trying to get the crop in before the weather turns, managing employees and rushing to get a myriad of tasks done can be daunting. One thing no farmer should have to deal with during this busy time is an under performing combine. Lugging up hills, slowing down the system, and in general costing the operation money.  This does not have to be the situation for you this fall!

Each year, just after harvest, we take an influx of calls inquiring about adding horsepower to combines. Farmers tend to be detail orientated, and have a lot of questions before tuning any equipment. Which is totally understandable, combines are not exactly cheap and they are one of the most crucial components of a successful harvest. 

A few questions come up in every conversation about tuning a combine. Below, I hope to provide answers to the most common questions about combine tuning. 

• Learn More About Emissions Equipment
• See testimonials from actual farmers that have tuned their tractor
• Tractor Tunes in Action! 

Did you know there is no reason to delete the emissions from your 2011-2016 Duramax? 

DuramaxTuner.com's SPADE is capable of adding up to 135HP to your EMISSIONS INTACT LML. 

Actually, more and more people are tuning their 2011 + Duramax (LML) with the emissions equipment intact.  This is a great option for Duramax owners that would like a nice, quiet, reliable, efficient truck that performs well every time. However, many LML Owners have some basic questions prior to pursining emissions intact tuning. 

Diesel Emissions Equipment has changed drastically through out the years and it can be very hard to keep up with what the equipment is and how it works. The EGR was introduced in 2004.5, then the DPF in 2007.5, and our current system rolled out in 2011 which includes DEF. This lack of understanding has lead to many myths, half-truths, and misunderstandings of how emissions equipment impacts your diesel pickup.

• Duramax LML Emissions Overview
• Make over 500 RWHP in your 2010 + Cummins without deleting it
• Check out Clean Sweep, an emissions intact 617 RWHP LML Duramax

Small farmers have a tough time making their passion profitable. Varying market prices, harsh weather conditions and rising cost of goods can become a true strain on the farm. 

Since the beginning of agriculture farmers have been finding ways to cut cost and increase production. This concept is what has driven innovation on the farm. However, with as many advances and "life hacks" that have been established, the cost of fuel is ever rising. Even with today's high tech, computer controlled equipment, the cost of fuel can still be staggering. 

Some other great articles about tractor fuel consumption:

• Predicting Tractor Diesel Fuel Consumption
• 6 Ways to Save Fuel on the Farm
  
  

BEFORE diving into saving fuel, you will want to gather as much detail as you can about how much fuel is currently costing you. This means knowing more than just how much you spend on fuel each year, quarter, or month, but knowing how much fuel each tractor uses for each task. To download a tracker that will help you narrow in on your most costly activities check out the Performance Tracker below.

Custom Tuning for Tractors!

Stage 1 (~430RWHP)- (~430RWHP)- This set of modifications maximizes the value and reliability per dollar on a truck with a stock transmission.  Reliable power levels up to 430rwhp can be achieved with this set of parts.  The  factory transmission parts are the limiting factor.

 Includes:

• Fuel system (suggested) - FASS 150
• Tuning: Stock trans EFILive Tuning / SPADE Jack

Stage 2 (~530RWHP) (~530RWHP) -This set of modifications maximizes the value and reliability per dollar on a truck with a built transmission.  Reliable power levels up to 530rwhp can be achieved with this set of parts.  The  factory turbocharger is the limiting factor. We highly recommend gauges with this setup, as it’s limited turbocharger capacity means it has the potential to run high EGT’s which (left unchecked) can cause engine damage.

Too often trucks come into our shop experincing high EGT's, turbo lag, excessive smoke output, and bad fuel mileage which are all symptoms of a boost leak. It is so common to develop a boost leak that we now require all trucks to have a leak down test done prior to strapping them down on the dyno. What's funny is, most truck owners that we do identify boost leaks on never even knew they had one. The reality is that even if you can hit peak boost, you may have a leak, especially if you have a variable vane turbo. Variable vane turbos will change vane position and other operations to try to compensate for the reduced level of boost pressure in the intake system. Leaving you driving around without an idea that your turbo efficiency has taken a hit. 

• Have you considered a Bigger planter or tillage tool on your Farm. Are you worried if your tractor will have enough horsepower to get the job done?

If your existing machine has enough tire, but bogs under heavy load- consider tuning your tractor. You can use factory style calibration software to safely up-rate machines lower in their series to power levels of those tractors higher in the series. This means that if our brand has a similar size machine with more power than yours, you can get you the power difference.

Up-rate a 6105R to a 6130R

Up-rate a 9410R to a 9510R

Up-rate a Steiger 540 to a Steiger 620

Up-rate a 8245R to an 8295R etc.

3 SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP KEEP YOUR LML DURAMAX RELIABLE:

Your truck is generally one of the largest investments you will make, so keeping it on the road is priority number 1!

The LML Duramax is one of the best trucks GM has ever produced. With 397 Horse Power and 796 ft/lbs of torque from the factory, the truck has the power plant necessary to do just about any job you can throw at it. However, despite the massive improvements the LML has brought to the table, there are some all too common pitfalls that can make this beast a burden. 

Here are some other places you can read more about the LML Duramax:

• LML Duramax SPADE
• Truck Trend Review of LML Duramax

Tuning your 2010-2015 Cummins can dramatically improve your driving experience!

The Dodge/Ram/Cummins manufacturers have improved many factors that impact your driving experience throughout the years. From cup holders and radios and interior cab lights to heated seats, larger mirrors and automated turbine braking; Cummins trucks are getting better every year. Horsepower and Torque have not been missed in these constantly ongoing improvements. Back in in 1989 the first 12v had just a 160 RWHP rating from the factory, now the 6.7L as off 2010 is 350 - 370 Horsepower depending on transmission and trim package. With that being stated, there is still a lot of room for aftermarket tuning to improve your truck. 

Below are 7 things you shoud know, before you decide which tuning is right for you . .  . .