3-Point Hitch 540 RPM PTO Question

[Jimjammer4]

Hey guys... This is an LS newbie question for sure but I have to ask. After running a Ford 8N for years, I'm finally getting an LS R3039. I have an ANDY 500 brush hog that is rated at 40 horse power. According to the specs for the R3039 tractor, the PTO runs at 540 rpm. On the 8N, the speed of the engine dictates the speed of the PTO (not live PTO). Since my old 8N was short on power, I had to cut the pastures at a high RPM, making the brush hog blade spin faster. Do new tractors with independent (live) PTOs run at a constant speed regardless of the speed of the engine? If so, how does that work? Thanks for your thoughts and knowledge on this.

 

[joemd11]

Jim, if you look on the tach there will be a mark at about 2300 RPM that gives you the 540 at the pto. When is your tractor being delivered?

 

[kjung17]

540 rpm is the rated speed of the implement. Engine/PTO speeds are directly proportional. There is usually a mark on the tachometer to indicate the spot where the PTO reaches rated speed. Newer tractor PTOs are hydraulically engaged and are driven directly off of the engine. Some have a mechanical engagement, but are still driven independently from the transmission.

 

[Jimjammer4]

Jim, if you look on the tach there will be a mark at about 2300 RPM that gives you the 540 at the pto. When is your tractor being delivered?

One night this week if the dealer can get caught up with other deliveries that were backed up in the last few days because of stormy weather in our area (St Louis MO) Thanks for the info on the PTO speed. I never had a tach on my old tractor, but that makes a lot of sense.

 

[joemd11]

Just wondering, are you keeping the 8n? We had one when I was a kid and have many fond memories of that tractor.

 

[kjung17]

One night this week if the dealer can get caught up with other deliveries that were backed up in the last few days because of stormy weather in our area (St Louis MO) Thanks for the info on the PTO speed. I never had a tach on my old tractor, but that makes a lot of sense.

Hey we're neighbors, sort of.

Joe, what is that avatar pic

 

[Jimjammer4]

540 rpm is the rated speed of the implement. Engine/PTO speeds are directly proportional. There is usually a mark on the tachometer to indicate the spot where the PTO reaches rated speed. Newer tractor PTOs are hydraulically engaged and are driven directly off of the engine. Some have a mechanical engagement, but are still driven independently from the transmission.

Thanks Kevin. Your comment about the PTO being hydraulically engaged is what I was thinking too. I hope the R3039 works that way because it seems to me that it would buffer the jolt that the brush hog first receives when you engage the electronic PTO switch. Either way, it would appear that you and Joemd11 are both right. The tach holds the key to operating the PTO at 540 RPM. At 2300 RPM, the engine is not working hard, and that's good to hear. Thanks, Jim

 

[Jimjammer4]

Just wondering, are you keeping the 8n? We had one when I was a kid and have many fond memories of that tractor.

Joe, I would have loved to keep the 8N (owned it for 23 years and I know what you mean about the memories), but the money I will get from selling it is part of the down payment on the R3039. Everything has a price. I also just sold my motorcycle (1998 Honda Shadow 750 ACE Classic in PERFECT condition) for the same reason. I bought it brand new 13 years ago and had many great trips on it with a lot of my good motorcycling friends, some no longer with us. It was really hard to let it go, but it's time to make new memories! Life is all about change, isn't it? Like the Rolling Stones' used to sing.... "You don't always get what you want, but you get what you need". And I needed a really good tractor that will last me until the Good Lord calls me home!

 

[joemd11]

Jim, I hear what your saying and think your doing the right thing. Get the camera charged-up for delivery day and record some more memories. Also, turtle wax brings out a nice luster in that blue paint. Also #2, before driving into shed/garage confirm status of ROP. I almost had an oh d*#m moment on day one.

 

[joemd11]

Kjung, it is the #2 engine (and vertical stabilizer) on a Boeing md-11 aircraft.