I have auto-throttle and HST, personally, I would not use auto-throttle with PTO engaged equipment. Philip.
You know, Philip. I missed that message of yours and am awfully you mentioned that there are times when a PTO and an auto-throttle definitely do NOT go together. It's a very good point and one I sure did overlook. Thanks again.
Just thinking about leaving the auto-throttle engaged when running some implements like a post hole drill makes me shudder....Dang!
Maybe I forgot because it's been a few years, I'm getting older, and have not had the occassion to use 3pt PTO equipment on our M59 with auto-throttle. So far, all my infatuation with the auto-throttle comes about when using it with a loader and on hilly ground but with the backhoe on back instead of anything on the 3pt or PTO. For use like that the autothrottle is fine because it has a slow enough response to allow you to change the bucket angle or even downshift the split shifter - doing either or both to ease the load before the autothrottle can have time to rev the engine up.
Thanks for posting about the auto-throttle and PTO use. I completely agree. The same thinking also goes for some old gas Ag tractors like our JD530 or maybe the 8N where the governor works like an auto-throttle. Those old beasts can take the motor from working at an idle to to full chat way fast. Definitely not something you want to have happen when augering fence post holes!
Now that I think of it, many (not all) farm implements will work at any PTO speed as long as there is sufficient engine torque at that rpm and the ground speed can be slowed accordingly. And for working slowly - like around obstacles - having an independently clutched live PTO makes all the difference.
With that combo and depending on the implement a fellow may not have to work at the top PTO speed - or at any special speed unless he just prefers to. I can see where snow blowing or mowing are times why he might want full PTO speed to get the blades spinning fast. Both are low load/high RPM applications where having a multi-speed PTO would be nice to get those blades whirling while running lower engine RPMs.
Of course there's always room for the other opinion. And I know - although I'm not one of them - that there are perfectly reasonable folks who just happen to love the sound of a motor roaring at top RPM. That's all part and parcel of what they like about tractoring.
I just don't happen to be one of them. Our land is remote and quiet and that's how we enjoy working it.
Either way works. It's been my observation that the tractors themselves don't really seem to care.
They'll last as long one way as the other.
Enjoy! rScotty
rScotty