GC2300/2310 PTO problem

[thdavey]

Hello Listers --

How lucky are we to have this forum?

I run a Bearcat Chipper/Shredder with my GC2310. The Bearcat has a great big heavy flywheel, and my little red tractor has a tough time bringing it up to speed. I thought "PTO clutch" (MF's term) would mean that PTO torque could be applied gradually so as not to stress out the tractor.

My "clutch" doesn't seem to operate that way. The PTO torque is either on, or off. Nothing in between. The only way I've been able to get the shredder going is to rev the tractor engine way up and "pop the clutch". This works, but I'm thinking it puts a terrible load on the PTO bearings and maybe on the hydraulics.

Any ideas? (Getting a lightweight chipper is probably not an option.)

Thanks for any help you and provide.

-- Ted Davey
Northern Nevada Gentleman Farmer
(I'm not so sure about the Gentleman part)

 

[JerryG]

The larger MF compacts have a staged progression engagement or feather start. I don't know if the GCs do or not. If they do, you might need to check with your dealer.
It sounds like you have too large of a chipper for the tractor. Starting it the way that you are will indeed damage things. It will wear the clutch discs at a very high rate and could very well strip the splines out of discs. It would be less expensive to trade for a smaller chipper than it would be to repair the damage to the tractor.

 

[jeepcj7]

Engagement of the GC PTO clutch is not mudulated, it is either on or off. If a smaller chiper is not an option, you will need to consider a bigger tractor. If your chipper is a pull behind type, you can by old an old Farmall all day long for $1000 - $1500 and use that to power the chipper (then you can have 2 tractors to play with).