3901 HST RPM for engaging PTO vs RPM for operation

[old and tired]

1600 RPM, slowly let the clutch out to engage, mow at 2600.

2580 to be exact!!!

 

[ehcrain]

My 3901 has a mark on the tachometer for 540 pto rpm. I idle down as low as possible, depress the clutch fully, engage the pto and slowly release the clutch before adding throttle until the tach meets the mark. Sometimes I will need to adjust throttle under load to maintain but not often.

 

[CindyCRNA]

My 3901 has a mark on the tachometer for 540 pto rpm. I idle down as low as possible, depress the clutch fully, engage the pto and slowly release the clutch before adding throttle until the tach meets the mark. Sometimes I will need to adjust throttle under load to maintain but not often.

That's enough RPM?

 

[5030]

My 3901 has a mark on the tachometer for 540 pto rpm. I idle down as low as possible, depress the clutch fully, engage the pto and slowly release the clutch before adding throttle until the tach meets the mark. Sometimes I will need to adjust throttle under load to maintain but not often.

Interesting. My M9000 has 2 hash marks on the tach. One for the 540 pto rpm and another for the 1000 pto rpm.

 

[eyi]

My 3901 has a mark on the tachometer for 540 pto rpm. I idle down as low as possible, depress the clutch fully, engage the pto and slowly release the clutch before adding throttle until the tach meets the mark. Sometimes I will need to adjust throttle under load to maintain but not often.

I have the same tractor and do the same thing but i know with some implements I cannot do that at idle and need to increase a little bit. My bushhog is a good example.

 

[Fallon]

I have the same tractor and do the same thing but i know with some implements I cannot do that at idle and need to increase a little bit. My bushhog is a good example.

Same for my former L3200. It's been a few years, but for the rotary cutter I needed to be real gentile with the clutch or bump it up maybe 300rpm to avoid stalling it.

High differences in speed burn clutches. May not notice it immediately, but you are wearing them out or burning them up.

 

[ericm979]

As long as the tractor can turn the mower without struggling, the lower the rpm you engage the PTO at the better. It's easier on the clutch. Replacing the clutch is expensive.

My tractor (not a Kubota but about the same HP as a 3901) has no problem starting any of my implements at idle.

 

[Grandad4]

That's enough RPM?

1600 is better than 2600, but if you take it easy with the clutch, you might be able to go lower than that. Having the RPM cranked up when you engage the PTO is comparable to what they do in drag racing: rev it up and release the clutch. It's quick but very hard on the equipment. It's just less harsh if you ease into it gradually at a low speed. Did it that way with my both of my Kubotas for many years.

 

[diesel85]

The way I tell folks, is you need to treat it like driving a standard shift car/truck... you ease into it at low RPMs without stalling to get the max life out of a clutch.