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.

 

[5picker]

Harleybabe, welcome!

Like Larry, my TC33D does not have a mark on the dash mounted engine tachometer. (RPM's) It does have a green 540 PTO indicator lamp in the dash (lower right) that illuminates when the PTO is engaged and the PTO shaft reaches 540 RPM's. That 'usually' coincides somewhere around 2500 RPM's on my tach. You will notice as you increase the engine RPM's, the 540 light will begin to flicker as you reach 540 PTO RPM's, it will remain fully illuminated within a window of about +- 50 RPM's and if you overspeed, a yellow 600 PTO RPM indicator illuminates. Remember, the PTO speed is controlled by the engine throttle lever, NOT the the foot pedal. (if hydrostatic) Sounds like you're familiar enough though with machinery to know if you're running the PTO fast enough to do it's work, with or without a indicator lamp.

 

[jinman]

Harleybabe, reading your post made me think that you are confusing two non-related parts of the tractor. When you say you lower the PTO 2", that tells me that you have the 3-point hitch (hydraulic lift) confused with the PTO. If you are just using a disc or other ground engaging implement on the tractor's lift, the PTO has no effect. Yes, you want to keep RPM up so you have power to till the dirt, but revving the engine to achieve 540 rpm is NOT necessary.

Now, if your implement is a tiller or rotary cutter (mower) that is on the lift arms and also has a shaft connected to the tractor for power, that's a PTO implement.

We really need to know exactly what type of equipment you are using and if you are talking about using the hydraulic lift/3-point hitch in the rear by itself or with a PTO driven implement. Lots of people get the 3-point hitch confused with the PTO, so don't feel embarrassed.

 

[oldgreen]

Harley babe,

don't worry too much about it. The 540 PTO mark with a rototiller is not critical. If you have the tractor rps up at about 3/4 throttle, (given that the tractor is 40-50 HP, you should be fine. This is not an exact solution, however should work, given the situation.

 

[TripleR]

Harleybabe, reading your post made me think that you are confusing two non-related parts of the tractor. When you say you lower the PTO 2", that tells me that you have the 3-point hitch (hydraulic lift) confused with the PTO. If you are just using a disc or other ground engaging implement on the tractor's lift, the PTO has no effect. Yes, you want to keep RPM up so you have power to till the dirt, but revving the engine to achieve 540 rpm is NOT necessary.

Now, if your implement is a tiller or rotary cutter (mower) that is on the lift arms and also has a shaft connected to the tractor for power, that's a PTO implement.

We really need to know exactly what type of equipment you are using and if you are talking about using the hydraulic lift/3-point hitch in the rear by itself or with a PTO driven implement. Lots of people get the 3-point hitch confused with the PTO, so don't feel embarrassed.

She mentioned in her first post I believe that she is using a roto tiller.

 

[jinman]

She mentioned in her first post I believe that she is using a roto tiller.

Yep, she did mention roto tiller. I missed that. She also said she lowered the PTO 2" into the dirt and that's where I thought she was confusing the 3PH with the PTO.

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.

 

[TripleR]

Yep, she did mention roto tiller. I missed that. She also said she lowered the PTO 2" into the dirt and that's where I thought she was confusing the 3PH with the PTO.

Yeah, it initially confused me too, so I had to go back and read it more carefully. In a former life, I proofed and signed off on documents much of the day, but since I retired, I am not so good anymore.

 

[FHTM_JK]

HarleyBabe, as others have said, there are no stupid questions 'cept the ones that don't get asked, and then you break something because of it. My '51 Ford 8N has an analog tach (proofmeter) that indicates proper engine rpm to run pto at 540 rpm. When the mechanical connection (cable) to the engine broke, I just kept on truckin', 'cause by that time, I knew when I reached pto speed by sound. You can do that with these newer NH tractors, too, but you indicated you have a model where a dash light comes on when the engine reaches proper pto speed. My guess is that you just haven't reached that engine speed yet, 'cause up 'til now, you've just been running errands with the tractor, and most of the time folks don't run the engine up to the same rpms putterin' around the place as they do when they're using ground-engaging or pto-operated equipment.

I don't know what others do, but I've always run the engine up to what I think is pto speed, then engage the equipment without a load to make sure all the cats are out, THEN start mowing, bush-hogging, tilling or whatever.

Hope I haven't told you more that you wanted to know, or what you already know. I'm a "new" 2001 New Holland TC29D owner myself and still learning. It's been a long step from my Ford 8N to this.

One thing that'll help in the future, is to always give a year, make and model number, whenever you ask a question. Somebody will have likely had experience with that very same machine and it can speed up the process of getting your questions answered.

Be safe.

JK

 

[bullbreaker]

NOT TRYING TO SCARE YOU JUST WARN YOU !
Stay clear away from that pto shaft when tractor running and shaft spinning.Watch for loose clothing/ETC.
Also make sure when you start tractor your sitting in seat and not trying to start it standind next to it and someones bypass a safety device and thing runs you over if a gear or whatever !

Boone

Some good videos ! : How To Video Demos - Implements & Attachments

 

[bullbreaker]

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:

HarlyBabe forgive me not trying to jack your thread.

Till HarlyBabe responds there is a lady 4 farms down who is planning on joining TBN told my wife to tell you "men" that she just got back from haveing a pedicure and ask me to post a picture for you guys and tell me what you think ?
So I'am just compli-ing with her wishes I have nothing to do with her.

Boone

If any of you's wanna get in contact with her send me info on PM and I'll put it in her mailbox next time I drive by her farm.

 

[Todd727]

Boone

If any of you's wanna get in contact with her send me info on PM and I'll put it in her mailbox next time I drive by her farm.

You are one sick puppy! :shocked: