Electric PTO switches

[Ronster]

I have only used gear drive tractors with a 2 stage clutch. Do tractors with an electric PTO switch somehow ease the PTO on or do they just engage suddenly like your foot slipped off the clutch. It seems to me I always eased the PTO on when I was using my old Brush Hog.

 

[Donnyj]

The few that I have tried out, including my own, the pto is engaged instantly. My old tractors used the clutch like you were saying. Takes a little getting used to. Engage the pto at idle and then increase rpm. Works fine.

 

[PeterT]

My JD 4610 has an electric switch and it has a soft start, not sure how it is done.

PeterT

 

[dltimmons]

I have a 2003 JD 4310, E-Power Reverser. It has the electric PTO switch. When you pull the switch, it instantly engages the PTO. I have had a real time trying to start my 513, 5' rear cutter with this setup. Even at idle, when the PTO engages, it is so sudden, that the swinging blades on the cutter will snap out, and about 1 in 3 times, take out the shear bolt on the PTO shaft. It has gotten a little better with time/use, but still happens too often. If anyone knows how to adjust the start up of the PTO to engage softer/easier, I would sure like to know.
I have been thinking of getting a slip clutch for this cutter cause it gets real old having to replace broken shear bolts, just from starting the PTO.
I haven't had any problems with it using the post-hole digger, or snow-blower, but they don't have the rotating mass that the cutter has either.
I don't understand why JD didn't build these to engage gradually, instead of instantly. It is a real P.I.T.A.

DT

 

[Ronster]

Doug, your problem is just what I was afraid of. I'm starting to regret selling my old Cub 7234. It seems every time I think I've found a replacement, some new concern raises it's ugly head.

 

[BadDog]

Get a slip clutch for the bush mower, it's definitely worth it.

Then you won't care how your PTO engages... but in any case you should always engage at idle and ease up the RPM to avoid any sudden impacts to the drivetrain.

My NH has a manual PTO clutch that I can ease in... some of the electric ones are instant (my wheel horse for example) and some have a built-in slip clutch giving the illusion of 'easing in'. I've yet to see one that uses electronics to 'ease-in'.

 

[slowzuki]

Our Kubota L5030 has what I'm told is an electric over hydraulic pto that can be a little rough but when starting the haybaler with its huge flywheel you can depress the clutch, engage the pto and ease the clutch up to slowly start the machine. Don't know if any other machine do that..

 

[Tim_in_IA]

yeah is it a live or independant clutch? That would be good advice starting the pto with the clutch in if it was live. Then ease into it. Your manual might give pointers on the correct and healthiest way to start an implement.

 

[Ronster]

I'm looking pretty hard at a MF1528 HST. It says Independent for the PTO type and electro/hyd for the switch. No foot clutch on this machine.

 

[chevyorange]

Hello,
My brother in law has a JD 4310E Hyd. with that switch pto.
Last week it cost him $1600 to split the tractor to change the pto clutch , some cushion thing and shaft.The dealer said it destroyed its self because of the sudden start up of the 72 mmm. I think the tractor has around 400 hrs.I know when I used it at idle it banged right on start up.I didn't like it. I couldn't think what it would do on a bush hog.

 

[DK35vince]

My PTO turns on instantly when I throw the switch.
I just turn the PTO on at slow idle.
If I engage the PTO at idle I don't even notice the quick engagement on my tiller, post hole digger, or finish mower.
It does ingage a little rough with my 6' brush mower. My brush mower has a slip clutch, so it hasn't been a problem.
Just my opinion but I like the electric/hydraulic PTO.

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Get a slip clutch for the bush mower, it's definitely worth it.

Then you won't care how your PTO engages )</font>

FWIW.. I doubt a slip clutch will be of much use in preventing 'startup' shearing of bolts... If the clutch slips that easy.. IMHO.. it will slip under load too soon.

Soundugy

 

[rockyridgefarm]

My mower has the slip clutch, and has worked well, both in starting up and while mowing. No performance issues here....

 

[BadDog]

Hmmm... Soundguy, exactly what bolts are there to shear when you use a slip clutch on the mower instead of a shear bolt ?

Not sure what you're thinking of...

 

[slowrev]

Probably like me. the shear bolt is still in place pinning the slip clutch to the input shaft on the gearbox. The slipclutch ideally splips before the bolt shears.
Remember to service/adjust your slipclutch before your mowing season, they are likely to stick during the winter months.
Ben