Clutch and PTO operation

[john_bud]

I agree with the above posts. Especially ccsail's. The HST part of the tractor is separate from the range part. The range part is typically straight cut gears and not syncronized in any way. You may or may not need to use the clutch to change ranges, Kubota recommends that you do. But, often I don't and as long as the tractor is not moving, it works just fine. Sometimes the range gears will be "tooth to tooth" and not "tooth to valley" and it won't go into gear. Using the clutch and/or tapping the hst peddle allows the gears to move a bit and engage.

The "horrible grinding noise" Dmace mentioned is the internal overrunning clutch that is part of the PTO. No damage occurs from that noise, it just sounds bad. Old straight gear PTO tractors would spin the PTO from of a shaft in the transmission. Cheap, reliable and easy to do. BUT, it had a major drawback that sent many a tractor into ditches, trees and walls over the years. A heavy spinning attachment like a mower would keep the tractor moving even with the clutch in as the motive power was the spinning mass directly connected to the transmission by the PTO. Ford 8n and early 4 speed tractors were well known for this. You can still buy an adaptor that goes on the PTO shaft and has a 1 way ratchet that allows the attachment to spin, but not feed power back into the transmission. It too makes a clacking grinding noise when it is protecting you from forced forward motion.

Sorry to get long winded! Enjoy your tractor.

jb

 

[Dmace]

john_bud

Thanks for the explanation of the overunning clutch, that is some great info.

 

[Soundguy]

Not all 'gear' tractors behave this way. only the non live pto units. Those that had live pto.. for instance.. via a 2-stage clutch, like a ford 660 had did n't have this problem, as you could clutch the driveline seperate of the pto.. etc..

Soundguy

IOld straight gear PTO tractors would spin the PTO from of a shaft in the transmission. Cheap, reliable and easy to do. BUT, it had a major drawback that sent many a tractor into ditches, trees and walls over the years. A heavy spinning attachment like a mower would keep the tractor moving even with the clutch in as the motive power was the spinning mass directly connected to the transmission by the PTO. Ford 8n and early 4 speed tractors were well known for this. You can still buy an adaptor that goes on the PTO shaft and has a 1 way ratchet that allows the attachment to spin, but not feed power back into the transmission. It too makes a clacking grinding noise when it is protecting you from forced forward motion.

Sorry to get long winded! Enjoy your tractor.

jb