Hooking up PTO w/ Engine Running

[ChuckinNH]

I know a guy that really did a job on the fingers, and thumb of his right hand when he cleared a small snowblower (lawn tractor) chute with the blower shut off, and the engine running. The blower somehow slipped into gear about the time his hand hit the impeller. Not good. I havn't gotten between an implement, and a running tractor since, and doing it alone that means I do have to start, and shut the tractor down a few times getting something hooked up, but thinking of that hand usually makes it worthwhile.

 

[Chilly807]

I know a guy that really did a job on the fingers, and thumb of his right hand when he cleared a small snowblower (lawn tractor) chute with the blower shut off, and the engine running. The blower somehow slipped into gear about the time his hand hit the impeller. Not good. I havn't gotten between an implement, and a running tractor since, and doing it alone that means I do have to start, and shut the tractor down a few times getting something hooked up, but thinking of that hand usually makes it worthwhile.

What often happens with that style of blower is there's a brake pad that is supposed to contact the rim of the pulley that drives the impeller. If the pad gets worn or is missing, the impeller winds down slowly from full speed, inertia being what it is. The user, not realizing the impeller is still turning, starts digging right away at the clog, and gets into the impeller. It can also happen if the disengage mechanism is out of adjustment.

A lot of the newer lawn tractors have the electric clutch to engage the PTO as well.

Sean

 

[Soundguy]

I see in theis thread there are 2 groups of thought.. well 3, 2 majority, and 1 very small minority, with one major group unable or unwilling to recognize the facts in context.

1, the group that thinks for some reason that we are talking about taking hold of an operating, engaged, spinning pto shaft and trying to hook it up or unhook it to a running tractor who's pto IS engaged.

2, the group, who correctly figured out, that we are talking about hooking or un hooking a stationary, non moving pto shaft, to a tractor who's engine is running, but pto is not engaged.

3, and the smaller group, who recognizes as #2 does, but fears that due to mechanical failure or extra human intervention, that the pto may become live, while being hooked up.

just my observations..

soundguy

 

[jenkinsph]

Soundguy,
That first group you speak of I hope is a very small group. Might need to develop some comprehensive reading skills.

I would like to see them do it if it wasn't such a dangerous undertaking, let alone an impossibility.

 

[canoetrpr]

For the record, I was reading the operators manual on my newly delivered Kubota M7040 and it tells you to shut off the engine when connecting or disconnecting the PTO shaft.

I doubt the engineers distrust the mechanisms that must fail for the PTO to start spinning on its own. More than likelyhood this is about liability.

Still worthy of note however that this is what the manufacturer recommends - it is what I will be doing.

 

[Soundguy]

For the record, I was reading the operators manual on my newly delivered Kubota M7040 and it tells you to shut off the engine when connecting or disconnecting the PTO shaft.

I doubt the engineers distrust the mechanisms that must fail for the PTO to start spinning on its own. More than likelyhood this is about liability.

Still worthy of note however that this is what the manufacturer recommends - it is what I will be doing.

those manuals are written by the same lawyers that have to tell people no to hold up push lawnmowers by their edges to cut the hedges.

It's a liability issue pure and simple...

soundguy

 

[scott_vt]

Good Mornin,
I normally have the engine running as many on this thread have stated.

I allways do it myself so as to adjust the lift arms, making it much easier to attach the implement in question.

On my tractor, I have to manually depress the clutch lever, and manually push the PTO engagement lever foward, so Im thinking it would be next to impossible for the PTO to engage when Im hooking up the PTO shaft...

If the PTO were switch operated rather than a manual operation, my thoughts might change on turning the engine off !

 

[foggy1111]

Good Mornin,
I normally have the engine running as many on this thread have stated.

I allways do it myself so as to adjust the lift arms, making it much easier to attach the implement in question.

On my tractor, I have to manually depress the clutch lever, and manually push the PTO engagement lever foward, so Im thinking it would be next to impossible for the PTO to engage when Im hooking up the PTO shaft...

If the PTO were switch operated rather than a manual operation, my thoughts might change on turning the engine off !

This is the thing....... you get into the HABIT of doing something thinking its safe, and it may well be. Then you use that same old habit on a DIFFERENT machine AND the old habit is NOT safe on this machine. I rest my case.

 

[scott_vt]

This is the thing....... you get into the HABIT of doing something thinking its safe, and it may well be. Then you use that same old habit on a DIFFERENT machine AND the old habit is NOT safe on this machine. I rest my case.

Good Mornin Foggy,
Point is well taken !

 

[Soundguy]

luckilly all my old fords have lever engagement. no new fangled push button or telepathic engagment options that some of you guys with new tractors have..


soundguy