Best way to engage rotary cutter

[MyOutdoors]

I just got a new rotary/brush cutter with a slip clutch. I adjusted the slip clutch and just want to know the best way to start these up. I'm running a branson 3120 with pto switch. I know to run it 540 rpms but it seems to jump and bang around when I 1st engage it.

Should I keep the rpms down to engage it with the switch, then ramp it up to 540? Or are they ok to just start at 540?

 

[smstonypoint]

Should I keep the rpms down to engage it with the switch, then ramp it up to 540? Or are they ok to just start at 540?

Engage at low RPMs, then increase.

Steve

 

[Fawken]

Common sense dictates to start it slowly and work up to 540. There's a flywheel under there you have to get going. Little banging and clanking as the blades sling out is normal.

 

[dusty3030]

Engage at low RPMs, then increase.

Steve

This - and do the opposite when you can to shut it off, ease the throttle down to fast idle then disengage.

 

[prs]

Also, if your unit has a brake to stop the blades when the PTO input is off, you should slow the motor down to low RPMs before disengaging.

prs

 

[Bird]

Can't add anything to that; all good advice.

 

[Will_C]

Yep, all good advice. I find that I can start mine at an idle, and that is what I do. I also come to an idle before disengaging.

Will

 

[Fawken]

ONE THING I FORGOT!!!!! ALWAYS raise it up and wait 10-15 seconds before you engage it!

 

[HEC]

All great advice above. I don't know about your tractor but on both of mine I can ease the pto lever very slowly at a low rpm and the pto gradually takes hold without much shaking etc. .

 

[TripleR]

All great advice above. I don't know about your tractor but on both of mine I can ease the pto lever very slowly at a low rpm and the pto gradually takes hold without much shaking etc. .

A lot of tractors with an independent PTO now no longer have a lever for engagement, my newest has an on/off knob.