Please forgive tihs really stupid question from a city girl PTO 540??

[harleybabe]

I am helping out an 80 year old woman on her farm where I board my horse. I use the tractor to load with manure and then transport it to the compost pile. She has asked me to turn the arena for her, as she can not get out to do it herself with the excess heat we are having in MI.

She explained to me how to engage and lower the PTO and told me to keep it at 540. I have NEVER seen the 540 light come on, on the dash except when I am starting the tractor when the glow plugs are warming up.

I lowered the pto to a depth of about 2 inches, engaged the pto when the tractor is idled down, and throttled up to the speed I normally use going around the farm, don't really remember the rpm a this point, kind of go by sound. (manual trans driver and harley rider here) I the adjusted the speed of the tractor so that the rototiller was working well, but not bogging or "bouncing" I never let the tractor engine bog.

HOW do I get to the recommended 540 for the PTO?? Am I controlling it with the engine rpm or the "gas pedal" and tractor speed?

I know this is convoluted and confusing, and I'd prefer to be shown in person or have a manual to consult, but short of getting an oxygen tank and carrying her out there packed in ice, its is not going to happen. she just can't explain what she is trying to tell me.....

 

[smstonypoint]

HOW do I get to the recommended 540 for the PTO?? Am I controlling it with the engine rpm or the "gas pedal" and tractor speed?

You control the PTO RPMs with the engine's RPMs (i.e., the "gas pedal" or hand throttle). Look at the tachometer. It should have a symbol near the engine RPM's needed to obtain 540 RPMs for the PTO. My NH uses a small triangle.

Good luck.

Steve

 

[harleybabe]

Thank you. I will wipe the tractor down tomorrow and see if I can see something. (its been parked under the many barn swallow nests and things are a bit hard to decipher)

 

[Carl_NH]

You have done well - the New Holland tractor should have an indicator on the RPM gauge (usually a red stripe or white mark) that indicates the 540 PTO RPM. I would imagine 2000-2400 RPM - if the gauge is in 10-15-20-25 thats per 100 RPM.

So you are doing things right, but to reiterate, with the rototiller up and clutch in, engage the PTO, leave out the clutch, and increase RPM to say 2000-2200, then lower the rototiller and leave the clutch out the rest of the way and start tilling (it should have a two stage clutch - first to engage is the PTO and the last is the forward travel)

For a horse arena, I would imagine a light tilling is all you need to stir up the soil and level out the surface.

BTW, dont be too concerned about 540 RPM - if it looks good when you are done and not bogging the tractor consider it a "job well done".

Carl

 

[harleybabe]

thanks Carl.

We have a ton of WEEDS in there right now and the ground has quite a bit of clay as well, so it can be a real bugger when it has been allowed to get out of shape....which it has since she has been not feeling well. Had some rain, so the clay is no longer in the "cement" phase.

I want to HELP her out and not burn out her PTO. lol THAT would not be helpful in the least.

 

[lilranch2001]

Harlybabe, all of us tractor guys like to see pics of new members, ( I wouldnt be saying this just because you are female, its just because us tractor guys like welcoming new members) so if you get a few free moments it would be really nice if you posted a few pics, even if you are posing on your Harley or even the tractor, as those are two other things we really like to see pics of!


:licking:

 

[LarryD]

Well you said there is a "540" indicator light on during the start process. Try running the RPM's up around 2600-2700 and you will probably see it come on again, at least mine does for the NH33D. There is no mark on my RPM dial face, just the light. Also a "600" lamp if I go to far.
What model tractor is it? If you're working the ground and the tractor is not straining, you're probably ok. You might be able to pick up the pace a little if you had the RPM's up though.
Good Luck!

P.S. The PTO light only works when the PTO is engaged.

 

[terry.dinerman]

Don't be afraid of asking questions here on TBNet...STUPID is when you break something expensive rather than asking for help...

Check the operators manual for the machine...if you don't have one, check online...and check on the cowlings of the machine itself...my old 870 John Deere has a plate showing RPM and gear / ground speed combinations...

OR...in absence of a ANY manuals or plates etc...the light is not as important as the "feel"....start in a low gear range, the tool raised, at low RPM, then engage the PTO and let the tiller start to spin unloaded, bring up the engine speed a little and slowly lower the tiller into ground contact, then see what happens as you move forward....experiment a little....experienced as you are with manual transmissions, you will soon feel the "right" combination of gear, ground speed and engagement depth...you should neither lug nor rev...and feel good about helping out your neighbor...she must be a sweetheart to make you want to spend your time in the dust and heat...

Above all....

Be CAREFUL out there!

Terry

 

[Baby Grand]

Welcome aboard, Harleybabe.
You're getting good advice and you're doing everything right, so I'll just add a few words ...
540 PTO RPM is kind of a standard to get the best performance rather than a requirement.
A little slower won't hurt anything. Anywhere between 2200 - 2600 engine RPM and you should be fine.
Ground speed with a tiller is very imortant - you want to go sloooooooooow.
For light tilling about 1 to 2 MPH, so you'll want to be in your bottom gear.

 

[TripleR]

I can't improve on the advice given by others, only add that if you are not familiar with tractors or newer tractors, the proper 540 engine RPM is probably going to "feel" high compared to what you are use to. I know it was a surprise to me coming from a lifetime of operating older style and bigger tractors. Good luck, follow the advice given, check your results and adjust as you learn and you should be fine.