I know this is 5-5-2000 and the planets are in an unusual alignment that won't occur again for approximately 670 years, and hope the writings of Nostradamus are not invoked, but...

After reading the article, I don't understand something and wanted to see if anyone feels they have gained some insight that I, and apparently no one else, has been able to realize. There is a reference to selecting maximum horsepower or maximum torque. If you select maximum horsepower, then does the engine maintain a narrow rpm range to stay at maximum horsepower? If you select mazimum torque, then does the engine operate in a narrow rpm range where maximum torque exits? If so, then does the transmission shift up or down independently? What if you are using the ES program, and the transmission is not shifting? What happens to the engine speed in the maximum horsepower or maximum torque range? If the engine is trying to maintain maximum torque and, through the ES program, you have selected a gear and apply throttle--does the engine stop its increasing rpm at max torque or max horsepower? If the engine is trying to stay in either the max torque or max hp range, how do you achieve wheel spin in the mud?
I have not found anyone who definatively knows or can explain it. I think Kagey has the best understanding of anyone I have asked. I hestite to even ask, because there is no telling what kind of eplanations are going to result. It could be entertaining or quite insightful. I wonder if the octane rating of the gas running in the motor will change the rpm where max torque or max hp occur-oh, let's not go there I have a headache. I have a feeling this will be a replies 0 and # of times viewed 870!

 

say that again this time real sllloooooowww

i have severe aprehensions about honda thinking on this quad....i'll keep my rancher and the extra 2 grand, thank ya very much

 

In D1 (max horsepower) the engine runs up to the hp peak when you pin the throttle. At that point, the swash plate in the Hondamatic (read the tech description provided by Honda elsewhere on this site) continuously varies the plate angle to match the trans output speed with the operating conditions.

When its in D2, the engine just runs up to its torque peak and stays there as long as you hold the throttle.

When you are not running full throttle in either mode, the engine rpm stays in a narrow range of about 1500-2000 rpm where it makes its peak hp (or torque).

As for ESP, it acts and sounds just like a regular trans, except there is no gear noise or clunking because the swash plate angle is still controlling the trans output speed. In ESP, though, it stays at a fixed pitch until you change "gears".

Hope this helps!

 

Good response, Petesbween! I imagine the two modes allow operation just beyond their respective torque and horsepower peaks, so an increase in load, tending to draw down the rpm's, would result in compensating increases in torque or horsepower.

In other words, at full throttle, the engine would operate just barely on the downhill slope of the torque or horsepower curve, slightly past the peak.

Thanks for providing a plausible answer to TxDoc2's excellent question. BTW, TxDoc2, no matter what anyone tells you, the answer is NOT imbedded in the file titled, "I LOVE YOU!" (smiley faces)

Tree Farmer

 

petesbween-thanks for the reply. What do you think happens when you go into a mud hole and pin the throttle? Whenthe engine revs up to a specific rpm and holds, what happens to your tire speed? Since you are at a specific hp or torque output at that point, won't the tire speed be, more or less, constant? In other words, no tire spin? Or, do you think, it won't matter?
Thanks
TF-I luckily did not get any email requiring deletement, but apparently many folks did.

 

On a hydulic drive tractor the wheels stop when the machine over loaded but the engine rpm stays the same because a pressure relief valve will open to let the hydulic fluid flow by somehere it the hyudlic system .Will the Rubicon have something like this.

 

Pete ; that is an excellent explaination. You said what I had tried to put in laymans terms for TXDOC a lot better than I did!!!

 

Hi,
I'm not a Yamaha owner looking to harass the Honda forum group. I love Hondas. That is why I read this group. I just can't help but wonder why Honda don't use Disk brakes or selectable 2X4 to 4X4. I like the new front differential though.
I know Honda is against a belt drive and I can understand. I have one. I love it but I know what lurks in the back of Hondas mind on it. But I know hydraulics too and they are very inefficient. I believe it will use all the 500cc’s it can get and drink gas doing it. But it is yet to see.
I have hi hopes for the Rubicon. A co-worker told me he wants a workhorse. I recommended he wait for it. I told him how my hunting partner and farmer use his 450ES very well as a workhorse.

 

TxDoc2 - Remember the Hondamatic is a constantly variable output unit. If the load on the engine increases (say you hit a mud bog), and the engine is already at peak toque, the swash plate will change its angle to slow the output shaft and put more torque to the wheels - hopefully to get out of the mud. If you get stuck, the wheels would spin, just like any other stuck ATV! Hope this helps.

 

Thanks Petesbween--That makes more sense. I may have been trying to make it too hard or more complicated than it acutally is. I appreciate the time and responses.