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Tampering shortens life

Some operators have pumped up skid steer power by tampering with the fuel pump. As long as sufficient air is present, increasing the amount of fuel will increase the power.

"An operator can increase the power of any engine by flooding it with fuel, but the engine was designed for a specific power output at a given rpm," says Kelly Moore at Gehl. He strongly advises against this type of tampering, since exceeding the design limits of the engine places more heat and stress on internal components.

"Engines do have maximum horsepower ratings," adds Jorge DeHoyos, New Holland. "Unauthorized adjustments on the fuel pump can exceed those ratings and cause excessive wear on engine rods and main bearings, as well as improper emissions. Furthermore, a potential fire hazard can be created if the fuel mix is too rich."