Cruising rpms

[res0wc18]

at what rpms can the cummins safely cruise at?

Is 1400-1500rpm a safe spot to operate at

 

[EMD Diesel Power]

Quick rule of thumb on diesels is that if you can't accelerate in the gear you're in, you're lugging it- drop a gear and kick up the rpms.

1200-1800 is the ideal (economic) cruise range IMHO for the 1st and 2nd Gen. 12-valves. The 2nd and 3rd gen. 24 valves are a different story, longer and flatter torque curves, so the cruise-rpm spread is wider.

 

[youngcummins]

my 96 is at about 2000rpm @74, getting 20.5 with a empty trailer in the mountains going to florida from indiana.

 

[argve]

I typically cruise a little over 2k rpm and net about 22 mph empty (summer) and 17 (winter).

Now for safe rpms cummins says in a memo that I read a few years back that anything from 1600 - up to governed speed is safe for all day use. If below 1600 just don't use heavy throttle because they consider that abuse.

 

[ford killer]

bd diesel stands for bolt on for dummies