GeauxLSU said:
OK, since I've yet to get an decipherable answer, can somebody please spell out in newbie terms (meaning 'ignernt') the difference in the types of PTOs? Meaning Indepent vs. Live and the various sub categories?
What are the advantages disadvatages of each and what would you get and why?
Thanks in advance.
Transmission pto: A non live pto. When you step on the single stage, single plate clutch, your drive train and pto stop. In neutral, you still have pto. When in gear, the pto is tied to the drivetrain thus rotary inertia from a mower can push you ahead with the clutch pushed.. so you need an over running coupler ( 1-way ratcheting device ) to prevent backfeed.
Ground speed pto: Another non live pto that is tied to the drive train. As the wheels spin, so does the pto. many farmimg applications used this. Some MF tractors had this option. It matches the pto speed to a gear and ground speed. Thus.. you wheels must be turning for the pto to spin... No stationary pto apps.
Live pto: Generic term. It means you can keep the pto spinning while stopping the drivetrain. Can be accomplished several ways:
2-stage clutch. Cheapest. Clutch has 2 sections.. stepping onthe clutch partway disengages the drivetrain but leaves the pto coupled.
Independent: A tractor with an independent pto usually has a single stage clutch that clutches the drivetrain*, and the pto section is either electrically(electric over hydraulic ) or hydraulicly engaged with a lever, using it's own clutch. Because of this seperate clutch, the pto can be engaged / disengaged 'independent' of the drivetrain.. thus you can engage pto on the fly.. whereas a 2 stage clutch design must be fully clutched to engage the pto. (* HST trannies are an example of an independent pto where a single stage clutch may not be present. )
Lastly.. Full hydraulic pto... this would also be considered live, and independent depending on how it was plumbed. In this setup, the pto is nothing more than a hyd motor with an output shaft that is the tractor's pto stub. The tractors' engine runs a hyd pump that supplies the pto motor with oil.. etc. I believe 'power-trak' equipment are all hyd.. that is.. the 4wd is powered by 4 hyd motors, and the pto is fully hyd as well.
Any other questions.. i think i hit the high points.
Most pto's only spin 1 direction. There are a few exceptions.. that is.. some machines can spin the pto backwards.. etc.
Soundguy