Got my 2410 Today!

[Westbilly]

And boy do I like it!! I just got in from the garage running it.
It really seems like a nice big boy toy. I can't wait for daylight.
I do have a few questions though.
1) I thought it was shift on the fly 4 wheel drive. The manual says to be stopped and press the clutch. The dealer said it was shift on the fly.

2) I thought it being a HST, it did not require a clutch action, but it says to press the clutch when switching the speed lever form low to N to High and vice a versa. I realize this is not really a question, but I just would like some explanation, so that I may be fluent in "tractorese". Is there a reason for this? (Other than physical damage to my tractor). I guess I really mean, I thought with HST, the PTO and the clutch were totally separate. Is this not the case. (see note three)

3) In order to start and stop (engage /disengage) the PTO, I have to press the clutch pedal. this also stops the tractor. I though this "live" PTO was suppose to have the benefit of being a separate entity. I just wonder why I have to hit the clutch for speed range and PTO engaging. Have I missed the boat here.

Believe me, I am not dissatisfied with the tractor, I just want to know why I have to hit the clutch so much, when I have an HST. Which believe me, HST is a wonderful thing. Forget the old gear pulling. But I was just wondering the mechanics behind all of it. As usual, thanks for all the great info.

 

[Jeff396]

Yeah, it can be a bit of a pain having to use the clutch so much. I would also like to add another question.....how does the BX differ so as to not need a clutch at all?

Jeff

2001 B7500hsd, la302fel, 60"mmm, grass catcher

 

[GlueGuy]

Westbilly,

I'll give a stab with what I know:

1&2: Not shift on the fly. However, if the HST pedal is really in the neutral position, you can safely shift betwixt L-N-H. However, the pedal doesn't always return to neutral (and sometimes your foot is pressing it just a wee bit), then you "should" use the clutch. I hardly ever use the clutch for shifting ranges, and I've never heard a peep of anything.

3: You certainly do need to use the clutch for the PTO. Mine won't budge unless I use the clutch. The "live" part comes from the fact that when the clutch out, the PTO will always be turning, regardless of the HST range or HST pedal position.

The GlueGuy

 

[hayden]

The 4WD, PTO, and H/L ranges are unsynchronized meshed gears just line in an older manual transmission. As a result you need to be stationary to switch between 2WD and 4WD as well as shifting between H/N/L. Using the clutch releases any pressure/tension between the meshed gears to allow for easy disengage, and it allows for some gear rotation to remesh when you engage. If the tractor is moving or you have the HST peddel depressed and try to shift you will get clashing grinding gears which is a generally unpleasant experience for you and the tractor.

The Live PTO means that the PTO operation is independent from tractor movement. The PTO is another meshed gear thingy hence the need for the clutch to engage/disengage. Once the PTO is engaged, the PTO rotates continuously regardless of how fast you are moving as controlled by the HST. In contrast, a gear tractor requires clutching any time you want to stop or change gears, and each time you clutch the PTO disengages and starts to spin down, then reengages when you start moving again. In older tractors when you would disengage the clutch to slow down or stop, the rotational inertia of the PTO implement (say a rotary mower) would continue to propel the tractor resulting in many pairs of soiled overalls. Rumor has it that Levis drove the movement to add overrunning clutches to tractors.

It sounds like your dealer missled you a bit on the shift on the fly 4WD.

 

[Westbilly]

See, just by asking a tractor question I get all the many years of experience and knowledge of you fine people. I understand a lot more now. I see, I was under the misimpression that I would not have to hit the clutch when shifting ranges or direction(which for direction we don't), but now I see how they "mesh" together. It really isn't a big deal to hit the clutch, I just wanted to better understand the "whys", and I thank you for that.