Engage PTO at high idle or full throttle?

[Vigilant]

On an X500, will I reduce wear and tear on the PTO clutch if I engage it at high idle instead of full throttle, or is full throttle better?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I only ever engage an implement at just enough RPM not to stall the engine, then increase.

 

[Vigilant]

I only ever engage an implement at just enough RPM not to stall the engine, then increase.

Same here. I was just curious because some folks claim you should engage at full throttle. That's why I posed the question. Thanks.

 

[5030]

All depends on how fast you want to wear the PTO clutch out.

 

[Richard001]

All depends on how fast you want to wear the PTO clutch out.

And break your belts.

 

[Vigilant]

That's what I thought. Thanks.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Kind of the same with a manual car, unless you are into drag racing and breaking things.

 

[oldnslo]

On my X540 I engage the deck just above idle by applying the choke about halfway first. This keeps the engine from stalling and prevents the jerk and belts squealing. Prior to this had to be close to full throttle or the engine would stall.

 

[Vigilant]

Good idea. I'll give that a try. Thanks.

 

[HillStreet]

I only ever engage an implement at just enough RPM not to stall the engine, then increase.

Same here.

 

[oosik]

For me - it depends. On the tractor - I can "feather" the engagement. So - I fully engage at idle( Wallenstein chipper). The riding lawn mower has an electric engagement system. So it has to be at high idle or the engine might stall.

 

[ccsial]

I also engage at about 1/3 throttle. I also disengage at just above idle to save wear on the PTO brake.

 

[CobyRupert]

On my X540 I engage the deck just above idle by applying the choke about halfway first. This keeps the engine from stalling and prevents the jerk and belts squealing. Prior to this had to be close to full throttle or the engine would stall.

^This.
Pretty much the same method I use. At idle I give the choke lever a blip at the exact same time I engage pto switch when motor rpms would normally take a dip (and stall) from the load shock.
It's bad enough they started putting electric pto's on riding mower tractors , but on actual utility, CUT's and SCUT's is ridiculous. I would never buy a tractor with that I planned on running implements with that had an electric pto switch.

 

[tookielee]

I guess they are designed to handle the jolt, but it would be nice if the
electric clutches would feather in slightly first. I hate the driveline
shock, even at idle

 

[Tx Jim]

I was just curious because some folks claim you should engage at full throttle. Thanks.

Some folks shouldn't operate equipment & I'm not referring to you. Low engine speed pto clutch engagement will increase clutch longevity!

 

[oosik]

Tx Jim - Boy, ain't that the truth. Some could break my 140# anvil with a feather.