Dual Clutch Explanation

   / Dual Clutch Explanation #1  

doug76706

New member
Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
7
I am both new to this forum and to tractor operation that exceeds anything beyond the bare basics. I am considering the purchase of a MF 135 that is equipped with a dual clutch. It was explained to me that by depressing the clutch pedal halfway, you can disengage the PTO driven accessory but not the drivetrain. In my head this makes perfect sense because I can imagine operating a shredder and disengaging it while making a turn or something before re-engaging.

Am I understanding this correctly or am I completely off base? Thanks for your input and I'm sure I'll be asking plenty more questions in the coming days/weeks!
 
   / Dual Clutch Explanation #2  
Welcome to the forum.
Don't believe so. The double clutch is to keep the equipment running on the PTO, while allowing the tractor to be shifted (stopped, started, change gears, etc)

The double clutch is someones answer to live PTO.

Running a tractor without live PTO or double clutch means the tractor and the implement driven by PTO are started at the same time and that is a large load on the clutch and engine.
 
   / Dual Clutch Explanation #3  
   / Dual Clutch Explanation
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Ok...thanks for the quick replies. So halfway depressing the clutch allows the transmission to be shifted without interrupting the PTO and fully depressing the clutch disengages the PTO. Something felt wrong about the first information I received and I appreciate your help and for providing that link also.
 
   / Dual Clutch Explanation #5  
Welcome to the Forum.
Yes, "coming off the floor" the PTO clutch engages first, GENERALLY you pause briefly while the implement spins up and the engine recovers it's revs, the drive clutch engages second.
They are not so much a "Single Dual Clutch" as they are two separate clutches performing different functions and operated by the same foot lever (pedal).

Best to start at the beginning;
Before engaging the PTO at all.
Set the lowering speed valve so that the implement lowers in about 3 seconds, no need to be precise, but generally you don't want to slam it onto/into the ground or take half a field's length for it to touch down.
OK, assuming that and everything else (ROPS, seat belt, etc.) raise the implement.
Depress clutch ALL the way, select the gear and range you will use, engage PTO, engage clutch until you hear the implement start to spin up.
Release a brake somewhere about now, rasie the loader bucket too if so equipped.

The next thing is a CHOICE, there are arguments for one way and arguments for the other way, I will present both and try to not argue it either way.

a) You MIGHT CHOOSE TO engage the clutch fully and start the tractor moving with the engine at a very low speed (idle or slightly above).
b) You MIGHT CHOOSE TO bring the engine speed up to whatever is indicated to produce the required PTO speed of 540 or 1,000 and THEN engage the tractor's drive line clutch.

Whichever way you do it is fine with me (-:

OK, so you're headed off to the field or wherever.
Get a sense of where you want the implement to start touching down, be conscious of your speed and estimate how far you travel in 3 seconds.
When you are 5 seconds away from starting your first row get into the hip dysplasia position and start watching the ground under the implement - this is what you spent all that money for, not much, eh ?
A couple of seconds later shove that position lever forwards and see what happens (-:

report back, DO report back


According to what you are pulling, your turn-around space, etc you may or may not have to stop the tractor and reverse it at the ends of rows.
Once you know where the clutches engage/disengage you will be able to do any needed 3 point turns with the PTO still engaged.
ALWAYS lift the implement (except sprayers and SOME mowers) when turning.
Maybe best to lift a mower when turning, at least initially.
 
   / Dual Clutch Explanation #6  
I broke a few bush hog shere bolts by not reducing the engine rpm's after depressing the clutch to the flore (bush hog stops OR SLOWS DOWN especially in tall grass).And then sudenly engageing clutch.
 
   / Dual Clutch Explanation
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Thanks again for the informative replies, this forum will obviously prove to be a great resource for me as I learn proper operation of this little machine. I have gone ahead with the purchase this morning and will pick the tractor up Saturday morning. Hopefully by Sunday my son or I one will be shredding away while the other is working to finish up an equipment/loafing shed we've been building for the past month. Thanks again!
 

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