GOT my Tractor!

[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.

 

[MarkV]

Westbilly,

What model tractor did you get?

MarkV

 

[Bird]

Westbilly, your gears are not synchromesh so you do need to stop to shift the levers.

1) Dealer or salesman may not even know what "shift of the fly" means./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif I think you'll do a lot of gear grinding unless you stop to shift into 4WD.

2) Yes, the manuals say to use the clutch to change gear ranges, but not to change direction - forward or reverse - or speed within a range. Use of the clutch to change gear ranges is probably a good idea, but is not really necessary if you're sitting still and the hydro pedal is centered. And if the lever does not shift easily into the range you want, press lightly on the hydro pedal to turn the gears a bit, let off, and try again - don't force it.

3) You do need to use the clutch to engage the PTO. It's mechanical, not hydraulic, independent of the transmission, so it's a "live" PTO in that it continues to operate regardless of the gear range you're using, speed you're traveling, forward or backward, or stopped.

Personally, I always use the clutch to engage or disengage either the PTO or the 4WD, and I sometimes use the clutch to change gear ranges; other times I just step on the brake to be sure nothing is turning.

 

[Westbilly]

Now see, I understand a more, again, thanks for the info. It really is a nice tractor. I guess I will press the clutch for all gear/PTO changing, seems like a good habit. I guess since I had always heard no "clutching" with a HST, I was expecting to never use the clutch, my misthought. I mean it really is nice to not have to clutch to change direction, all the other times are not really a hassle.

Thanks again, and may we all have many days of happy tractorin'.

 

[snowman]

Not sure what tractor you have - on my B7500HST, I shift it from 2WD to 4WD while moving and have had no problems (no grinding or other noises)

 

[PowerMax]

Bird,

I was thinking about what you wrote and it all makes very good sense. However, I've noticed, while out shopping around for a compact, that the JD 4100 doesn't even have a clutch pedal. I have heard 4100 owners saying they sometimes have some problems changing transmission ranges and have to slightly tap the hydro pedal - as you mentioned. Just a point I felt worth mentioning; maybe some owners of the clutchless JD's could elaborate further.

Jeff

 

[Boondox]

Looks like it's time up update that profile... Congrats!

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[Bird]

Jeff, if we had the hydraulically activated PTO, then we wouldn't need a clutch on our Kubotas either, since you can change gear ranges and/or shift into or out of 4WD without using the clutch; just have to be stopped and the hydro pedal centered to avoid grinding gears (and maybe you don't actually have to be stopped). While I haven't tried it myself, presumably you could shift on the fly into 4WD while moving in a straight line forward or backward since the front wheels should be turning at the same ratio to make the gears line up. Of course if you were turning at the time, they might not line up. So I may have been a little off on my earlier response - under the right conditions you might not have a problem shifting on the fly, even without using the clutch. At least the theory's good; not sure about the reality; guess I'll have to try it sometime.

 

[TerryinMD]

PowerMax,

Yes, what you've stated is true. To change ranges, you must come to a stop and occassionally, you need to flutter or blip the forward petal to get into a range. I was told this on day one by the JD people. The guy that delivered my tractor is also a mechanic for the dealer and said "that's the way it is."

Now as far as engaging the PTO, I can engage at any engine RPM or ground speed. No clutch. No fuss. No Muss. Just select the correct PTO to use (Middle, Middle/Rear, Rear). The tractor just does its job. Now, as I have learned from the TBN brain trust (not the dealer or JD manuals) to engage the PTO at lower engine speeds and then get the RPMs up to operating speed. This became very apparent when using an older rotary cutter. Scared the daylights out of me the first time I engaged the PTO with that beast. Learned my lessons well. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Hope this helps.

Terry

 

[butzkeg]

Congrats!

In the Deere promotional video, one the the points they discussed was the PTO. You can engage/disengage the PTO on JD's on the fly. With the Kubota you have to press the clutch (even with a hydro trans), can't remember if you have to stop though.