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

[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: