Engaging MX6 on a JD 4520 using the E-PTO

[eepete]

Last fall I tried to use my MX6 with the E-PTO engaged. 1st time I stalled the tractor. So then I kicked it in at 1600 RPM and about stalled it, had a hard time spinning up, once it got up to speed everything was shaking. Cut it off, went back to "normal" PTO.

Had an idea today. I had the E-PTO off, engaged the mower PTO, took the RPM up to the right speed. Then I shut off the PTO, idles down the the E-PTO speed (1750 rmp-ish) and tried to pull up on the E-PTO shift lever. The idea was to have the MX6 spinning a bit when I engage the PTO. Well, I could not pull up on the E-PTO shift lever for the life of me. While I was sitting and thinking, the MX6 was spinning down. Pulled up on the E-PTO shifter again, it engaged. Engaged the PTO and it spun up. Lots of shaking, but as soon as it start to drive it's OK. Must just be some odd mechanical resonance in the system. I chalk all this up to my learning curve on the tractor and mower.

Later on, I tried the E-PTO with the engine at the correct E-PTO RPM. It bogged down to 600 RPM, almost stalled, but spun it up OK.

So my question is: Should this idea of spin up on normal PTO, cut of the PTO, shift to E-PTO, then engage the PTO work? Is there a hazard to shifting the gears when the attachment is still spinning (which might be why it was hard to shift) ? Or should I just stop worrying and engage the MX6 from a dead stop with the E-PTO and RPM at the 1750 speed and realize that bogging the tractor down to 600 RPM for this won't hurt anything ?

This was more or less using the MX6 as a lawn mower on areas that I had already mowed when the spring grass was thick. Fuel consumption was a bit better. Took it into a section with taller grass, the motion match did it's thing and it was OK.

Pete

 

[ddivinia]

By E-PTO I assume you are meaning the economy PTO. My 4520 does not have the economy PTO but my 5525 does. You do not want to change modes or even attempt it when any of the PTO stuff is spinning.

The MX-6 is not some lightweight implement - I would not run it with the epto.

D.

 

[jenkinsph]

Pete,
The MX6 takes alot of torque to start turning as you probably guessed. I have used the epto in thin easy to cut stuff but agree with Darin for the most part. My 673 tiller though takes much less to start turning and the epto works well when tilling 4 inches deep. Probably would work with a lighter mass rfm too. Just have to pick the right time to use the epto where it works for you. I use it for turning my hypro pump, tiller and small chipper. I use the normal setting for deep tilling and most brush cutting.

 

[beenthere]

Engaged the PTO and it spun up. Lots of shaking, but as soon as it start to drive it's OK. Must just be some odd mechanical resonance in the system. I chalk all this up to my learning curve on the tractor and mower.

About the shaking...it is possible (happens with my 5' cutter) that a cutting blade is folded back and not extended in normal cutting mode. Adds some serious shake. I just run the rpm up and it corrects itself. Sometimes the blade gets in that position from hitting an object, or can happen when stopping the cutter with the brake.

 

[eepete]

"You do not want to change modes or even attempt it when any of the PTO stuff is spinning"

That's the technical side I was looking for. Am guessing it's a very simple gear box and if stuff is spinning that would be bad. Thanks Darin .

Steve, this is for already cut areas that are somewhere between a pasture and a lawn with 4" grass. The areas are mostly flat. If it's heavy cutting or on a slope, I'll be in normal PTO mode. Other than my little test in thicker grass, this is only for trimming down these transitional areas between the lawn around the house and the hay fields.

beenthere, I've done that. The last time it did that I reved up the engine and it got happy. I did check underneath to be sure the blades weren't too free.

Part of why I tried this is because on the 4520, when in E-PTO the horse power rating is 32 HP. So for the 6' MX6 which has a minimum HP rating of 30 HP it should work with very light cutting of grass only. Now I know not to mess with the shifting of the E-PTO unless everything is still. Just wanted to be sure that dragging the engine down to 600 RPM briefly during spin up was OK for the engine and PTO clutch and get any other thoughts you guys had.

tnx !

Pete

 

[AGGIE00]

I use 540E with my MX8 3pt with no stall at idle. A 6' mower is not that hard to turn. Engage it slower.

 

[ddivinia]

I use 540E with my MX8 3pt with no stall at idle. A 6' mower is not that hard to turn. Engage it slower.

Which tractor are you using?

4520 PTO engagement is electric - can't do it slow. On or off

D.

 

[AGGIE00]

Which tractor are you using?

4520 PTO engagement is electric - can't do it slow. On or off

D.

Sorry, mine is the 5083e. Wish it was electronic.

 

[ddivinia]

Sorry, mine is the 5083e. Wish it was electronic.

Look at the problems you would be having if you didn't have old school stuff/.

My 5525 is old school and my 4520 is new school. For post hole digger work, the 4520 with the electronic PTO is pretty hard to beat.

D.

 

[AGGIE00]

Look at the problems you would be having if you didn't have old school stuff/.

My 5525 is old school and my 4520 is new school. For post hole digger work, the 4520 with the electronic PTO is pretty hard to beat.

D.

I prefer the hydraulic post hole digger mounted off the fel.