Do you lower the rpms before engaging the PTO??

[Mystro]

My dealer recommends lowering the rpms beore engaging the PTO for the mowing deck then raising the rpms back up once engaged?? I haven't read this in the manual. Anyone else do this??

 

[rekees4300]

Anyone else do this??

Yes, less stress on PTO and attachments.

 

[MHarryE]

Yes, good practice for most if not all PTO implements although at least one of my implements will kill the engine if started idled all the way down.

 

[RDSEILE]

Yes you should lower the rpms before engaging the pro. It is not good for the gears in the tractor, you will know very quickly when you have done it wrong cause it will make a big bang.

 

[Ace3]

Yes. I always engage the PTO at idle and then increase the RPM to operating speed. I also lower the RPM to idle before I disengage the PTO.

 

[k0ua]

Absolutely. Far better on all parts concerned to lower the RPM's as low as you can without bogging down the engine when you engage the PTO. Then spin it up to 540 speed.

James K0UA

 

[Gale Hawkins]

With the bushhog running I like to also idle down BEFORE disengaging the PTO too. The weight of the heavy blades on a 7' bushhog can keep turning long after I shut off the tractor if disenaged at 540 RPM.

 

[CBW1999]

I see that this is a good thing to do and probably will start following this principle. The only issue I have is that with a geared tractor, using a mmm and having to change direction will be a BIG learning curve remembering to lower the rpm. I usually let out the clutch slowly to engage slower (although I have had the "bang" when I pop the clutch.

To some extent it doesn't seem practical to lower rpm all the way. Any thoughts on lowering it by "half"? will that make any difference?

Or, am I totally off my rocker and this really only applies to Hydrostatic?

 

[RoyJackson]

I see that this is a good thing to do and probably will start following this principle. The only issue I have is that with a geared tractor, using a mmm and having to change direction will be a BIG learning curve remembering to lower the rpm. I usually let out the clutch slowly to engage slower (although I have had the "bang" when I pop the clutch.

To some extent it doesn't seem practical to lower rpm all the way. Any thoughts on lowering it by "half"? will that make any difference?

Or, am I totally off my rocker and this really only applies to Hydrostatic?

Why would you have to disengage the PTO for shifting into reverse?

 

[RoyJackson]

I always lower the RPM to engage the PTO...easier on all of the components from the tractor to the implement gearbox. Although I idle the tractor at 1500 RPM, I lower the RPM to 900-1000 RPM for engaging (and disengaging!!!) the PTO.
If I'm using an implement that might stall the tractor (such as a rotary cutter), I just keep my foot near the throttle to give it more fuel, if it starts to stall.