Question About engaging PTO
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Notforhire
Veteran Member
I had a L3240GST, and I know just what your going through. What your doing, slowing to idle, is about all you can do IMHO. I actually tried a 5ft mower, and it helped quite a bit, there is a little less weight flying around.
You say yours will coast down when you shut it off? Mine had a brake, and would slow real fast when the PTO switched off. I have never been a fan of electric clutch PTOs, but I see them now even on utilitys. They are fine with most attachments, but not slashers.
The guys with HSTs don't have the problem because the clutch disconnects the PTO, and they can apply power slowly. The new HST units, with the brakes on the left and no clutch will have the same problem your having, I would think.
Sorry I couldn't offer more help, but I think that's the nature of the beast.
Bill
You say yours will coast down when you shut it off? Mine had a brake, and would slow real fast when the PTO switched off. I have never been a fan of electric clutch PTOs, but I see them now even on utilitys. They are fine with most attachments, but not slashers.
This should not happen. I have only owned Bush Hog brand cutters. You can reach under and rotate the blade around it's mounting bolt 360deg without it contacting anything. This is not the case with yours?
The guys with HSTs don't have the problem because the clutch disconnects the PTO, and they can apply power slowly. The new HST units, with the brakes on the left and no clutch will have the same problem your having, I would think.
Sorry I couldn't offer more help, but I think that's the nature of the beast.
Bill
whistlepig
Elite Member
If you don't properly disengage the blades will tangle up. And they will stay tangled up until the next time you engage them. Don't idle down to disengage. Let the cutter coast to a stop with the PTO off.
MHarryE
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I don't think you have a problem. Since the blades pivot, the chances of them being perfectly straight out on startup is almost zip, and when you start the main hub starts rotating but inertia makes the tips of the blades lag until centrifugal force pops them straight out. Maybe other brands are different and defy the laws of physics but your LandPride startup sounds just like my 1872 and it is going strong after 3 years of heavy use. I assume when you start at low idle it does so with a short unbalanced wiggle plus some blade banging and quickly smooths out. Now my finish mower is a different animal because of non-pivoting blades.
Notforhire
Veteran Member
I would agree that what you describe is normal start up for any slasher. I think the OP may get a little more banging or shaking than normal because of the sudden engagement in his type of PTO. I don't think it will hurt the slasher, no mater what, but the suggestions for engagement at lower rpm would save wear and tear on the PTO clutch.
The only thing in his post that raises questions to me is;
Does that sound normal? Because of offset built into my cutter blades, they can bang together, but I don't think a blade can contact the opposite pivot bolt.
whistlepig
Elite Member
They won't hit the pivot bolt. But both blades are level with each other and they pivot. They will tangle up if disengaged or are engaged improperly. Every time you use them no matter what brand they are.
robbyr
Veteran Member
I've had that happen twice with King Kutter 6'. Made awful racket and found one blade had somehow gotten jammed on top of the other. Took a 3lb hammer and landscape timber to break it loose. Had hit a sizable stump that I didn't see.
OP
n4khq
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Thanks Bill, my cutter has brakes but at low RPMs they work great and do not tangle blades. Yes probable bad design on the land pride blades causing the lockup. The seat on the L3240 has a kill switch. If you stand up with the PTO engage, the tractor engine is killed. The blade lockup only occurred when I stopped the tractor by standup. I disabled the switch and I think the lockups will not be a problem. I think your reply is correct but still hopping to fine a better solution. Thanks againI had a L3240GST, and I know just what your going through. What your doing, slowing to idle, is about all you can do IMHO. I actually tried a 5ft mower, and it helped quite a bit, there is a little less weight flying around.
You say yours will coast down when you shut it off? Mine had a brake, and would slow real fast when the PTO switched off. I have never been a fan of electric clutch PTOs, but I see them now even on utilitys. They are fine with most attachments, but not slashers.
This should not happen. I have only owned Bush Hog brand cutters. You can reach under and rotate the blade around it's mounting bolt 360deg without it contacting anything. This is not the case with yours?
The guys with HSTs don't have the problem because the clutch disconnects the PTO, and they can apply power slowly. The new HST units, with the brakes on the left and no clutch will have the same problem your having, I would think.
Sorry I couldn't offer more help, but I think that's the nature of the beast.
Bill
