Connecting PTO ?

[bcarwell]

Now that I've got my Newbie question answered (thanks !) on disconnecting a 3 point hitch, on to the PTO.
I am a newb who just got his first tractor, a Kubota 7500DT. The manual doesn't give much help on connecting/disconnecting/using a PTO.
After connecting the 3PH to the implement and inserting the PTO shaft into it, making sure the PTO cover covers up the shaft, and setting the parking brake, is there anything else to connect, or does the 3PH and the inertia of the implement keep the shaft in place (e.g. no other pins, chains, etc.) ?
And is there anything to check to make sure its all connected properly before engaging the PTO.
And once its connected, do you just engage the clutch, shift the PTO into engagement, and let out the clutch ?
I have a hand engine speed control. Should it first be set mid-range before engagement, or do you just use the low speed listening for bogging down and adjust it accordingly as you let out the clutch.
Any procedure in reversing this, or just throttle down, engage clutch again, and shift PTO out of gear ?
And finally, I understood for safety you were not supposed to get off a tractor with the PTO engaged, presumably to keep from sawing off your feet with a brush hog, getting clothes entangled in a post hole digger, etc.
I've got a PTO powered chipper. Kinda hard to insert material in it from the tractor seat. Fortunately the PTO/3PH connection is on the side where I'm no where close to it at the feed hole. Is there anything I need to be aware of in engaging, disengaging, and using this chipper, and in getting on/off the tractor while doing so ? It weighs 1000 lbs so its not going anywhere (its an Ol-somethingerother built in the 80s in Kansas).
Thanks for any info on using the PTO... I'm gainin' on it and can now connect/disconnect the brush hog in 10 minutes beating my prior record of two hours, thanks to a 2 x 4 pry bar...

(Would-be) Farmer Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

PTO shaft "snaps (audible snap) onto PTO shaft. Power PTO to idle and let implement slow shaft down to as slow as it will go, then disengage. That is all I know! Engage, disengage at idle.
Bob

 

[firemanpat2910]

on some tractors you do not need the clutch to engauge the pto. On mine you just move the pto lever and it starts. always engage and disengage at idle speed. If you are going to use chipper,ALWAYS start tractor from the seat.(I have boken the rule way too many times and am worried that I used up all my chances and possibly some other peoples as well) I dont know if the safety switch on your tractor will shut off tractor if you leave the seat with pto engaged or not. Also be sure and disengege pto before restarting tractor.most will not let starter work if lever is in on position,and if it will then you are turning the tractor and impliment with the starter. parking brake is good but I would also chock the tires.

 

[normde2001]

Your questions are kind of scarey, and unanswerable, without seeing what you have. You need someone with some experience to inspect your setup and instruct.

 

[RebelRAM]

For many years farmers used belt driven implements that ran off the flywheel of their tractors. When operated at speed, those belts were just as dangerous as PTO shaft driven implements. But getting off a tractor to run an implement is a very common task.

The main thing to keep in mind is safety. Use the parking brake! Always idle down before engaging and disengaging the PTO. Do not grab moving PTO shafts! Keep loose clothing away from PTOs.

As for your chipper shredder, just use common sense around it. When you have the tractor properly blocked up so that it can't move and also have the shredder blocked as well so it can't move, you should be ok. Only feed things into the shredder while the PTO is engaged. Don't try and adjust the discharge chute. Shut it down before you try that. Keep focused on your work. When it doubt about something, shut it down until you figure it out. I also recommend using a "chicken stick" when using a shredder. By that I mean keep a 6 to 8 foot 1X2 or 2X4 nearby. Or even an old broom handle would work. This is for pushing items into the shredder that don't make it properly to the grinders. if the shredder happens to grab your chicken stick, let it go. It's ok, you can go get another one It definitely saves body parts. Most of the newer shredders come with a plastic tool that fits exactly into the load chute but isn't long enough to get ground up. Also make sure you wear safety glasses, if not a safety face shield when working with the shredder. Leather gloves are a good idea too.

You have done the right thing by coming here and asking questions. A lot of people here have enormous amounts of knowledge about tractors. There are no stupid questions. Just because you are new at this doesn't mean you can't learn. The main thing is to use the proper safety equipment. And use common sense. Tractors and implements can hurt you, but as long as you respect them and practice safety they are fine and can be a lot of fun. Remember if something feels unsafe, it probably is. If you aren't sure, then stop and ask. Also as my uncle says, the warning decals on your tractor and implements, try not to do what the little stick figure does it usually hurts.

 

[bcarwell]

Thanks to all for responding. All great suggestions and a big help. I will take the suggestion and try to post a picture later before working the chipper as I'm in no hurry. But the basic concern was whether I was missing something regarding the PTO hookup. I now understand. Thanks again.

Bob

 

[Soundguy]

Do be carefull. There are quite a few methods for attaching a pto drive saft to your tractors pto stub. Some use a button you push, then side on, then let go of putton, then jiggle till the yoke and shaft lock in... Some use a ring that you pull back, or push forward, or turn, to get the saft to slide on.. then you release. and jigle it to lock it in.

After locking in.. always give the shaft a tug to make sure you really got it locked in... You don't want that shaft coming loose at pto speeds.. dangerous and scarry...

If in doubt.. post what hardware you have, and then post close up pics...

Soundguy

Now that I've got my Newbie question answered (thanks !) on disconnecting a 3 point hitch, on to the PTO.
I am a newb who just got his first tractor, a Kubota 7500DT. The manual doesn't give much help on connecting/disconnecting/using a PTO.
After connecting the 3PH to the implement and inserting the PTO shaft into it, making sure the PTO cover covers up the shaft, and setting the parking brake, is there anything else to connect, or does the 3PH and the inertia of the implement keep the shaft in place (e.g. no other pins, chains, etc.) ?
And is there anything to check to make sure its all connected properly before engaging the PTO.
And once its connected, do you just engage the clutch, shift the PTO into engagement, and let out the clutch ?
I have a hand engine speed control. Should it first be set mid-range before engagement, or do you just use the low speed listening for bogging down and adjust it accordingly as you let out the clutch.
Any procedure in reversing this, or just throttle down, engage clutch again, and shift PTO out of gear ?
And finally, I understood for safety you were not supposed to get off a tractor with the PTO engaged, presumably to keep from sawing off your feet with a brush hog, getting clothes entangled in a post hole digger, etc.
I've got a PTO powered chipper. Kinda hard to insert material in it from the tractor seat. Fortunately the PTO/3PH connection is on the side where I'm no where close to it at the feed hole. Is there anything I need to be aware of in engaging, disengaging, and using this chipper, and in getting on/off the tractor while doing so ? It weighs 1000 lbs so its not going anywhere (its an Ol-somethingerother built in the 80s in Kansas).
Thanks for any info on using the PTO... I'm gainin' on it and can now connect/disconnect the brush hog in 10 minutes beating my prior record of two hours, thanks to a 2 x 4 pry bar...

(Would-be) Farmer Bob

 

[GARBLUES]

You should get a quick hitch. I got one for my tractor and now it takes under 5 minutes to hook up. all I have to do it back up to the bush hog, line up the arms lift a little to engage, then get off the tractor to connect the top link and pto shaft.
No more struggling with a pry bar to align it.

 

[GARBLUES]

quick hitch for connecting

 

[Soundguy]

You should get a quick hitch. I got one for my tractor and now it takes under 5 minutes to hook up. all I have to do it back up to the bush hog, line up the arms lift a little to engage, then get off the tractor to connect the top link and pto shaft.
No more struggling with a pry bar to align it.

Your money.. not mine.. but sounds like the QH wouldn't save me any time. Takes me about a minute to hitch my 5' mower. Back up, let lower arms drop on pins, get off, attach pto, lower arms, and toplink.. give the toplink a couple spins to get desired length.. hop on the tractor lift and go..

My 10' mower takes a few minutes.. but easilly less than 5....

Box blade and 3pt spreaders, gin pole, rear scoop, disc, are all 1 minute or less items.. etc.

I think it is just a practice and familiarity issue...

Soundguy

 

[RHughes]

A lot of good info here to answer your questions. I have one other thing to add. Several folks have commented that care should be taken so as to not get pulled into your shredder rotary cutter or what ever. Please take care to not get wound up in the PTO shaft itself. If you ever have the urge to take a shortcut around your tractor by stepping between the tractor and implement over the PTO shaft while it is running, don't do it! The shaft may not look like it's turning very fast I guarantee there's NOTHING you could do to stop it if your sleeve or pant leg got tangled in it somehow.

 

[RalphVa]

I'd say that using a QH makes PTO attachment harder because it reduces the amount of space you'll have. That's the hardest job, in my opinion: getting that PTO shaft on, snapped in place, etc. If you put your implements on something that allows them to move, mounting them onto the 3 ph is pretty easy. I don't know about a 1,000 # chipper though. Mine's only about 160 #.

Your tractor may have an under-seat button. Normally, you lift the seat into its tilt position, pull the button and then engage your PTO for using the chipper. If it doesn't have a button, just get a weight and sit it on the seat or get a tension cord that you can attach to something to each sit just behind the seat and run it around the seat back. I often chip some, just in the seat and move the tractor to more stuff to chip. The tension cord makes this easy.

Ralph

 

[Soundguy]

I'm kinda surprised the 2 Nh's I've owned did not have those features. My 1920 had no seat sensor.. and neither does my 7610s... is this only a HST issue / feature?

Soundguy

 

[Dex]

The quick hitches are okay but I find that they get in the way of the PTO shaft. They also tend to place implements further away from the tractor and the top link. Not a big deal if you have a mechinical one. As far as the operation of your chipper, look at your owners manual or download one. Most CUT's have a kill switch override for parked non-occupied PTO operation type implements.