Mowing How do you operate your clutch?

[Herkypilot]

I have a gear MX5100 and when Bush Hogging I leave the hand throttle lever set at around 2200 to 2500 rpm and in LOW/3rd or 4th gear to mow. I don't throttle back to change between forward and reverse, just push the clutch in and change the syncro-shuttle forward/reverse. The tractor operates smoothly using this technique so I don't believe it will cause a problem with the clutch, but not sure. I just thought I'd see what folks do with more experience than I have (which isn't much -only 30 hours on my tractor).


HP

 

[Bluegill2]

You're doin fine.

I run my gear drives about the same. Sometimes I throttle down between gear changes, but rarely between forward and reverse.

 

[MasseyWV]

But you're not really having any fun. It's all so... automatic. You need to drive a tractor with non-syncro fully manual geared transmission to really enjoy the experience.

 

[JoeBuyer]

On my shuttle if I am using the foot throttle, I idle it down before switching between forward and reverse. If I have the hand throttle set high and need to switch between forward and reverse, I do a long pause in neutral before going into the opposite direction's position. That seems to smooth it out. However my new brush hogging machine is the king of all time hoggers, a Massey with the AD3.152 diesel and clutch manual transmission. Back to my roots with that tractor I guess, and looking forward to it this weekend.

 

[Bluegill2]

But you're not really having any fun. It's all so... automatic. You need to drive a tractor with non-syncro fully manual geared transmission to really enjoy the experience.

I spent too many years with non-syncro and still am with the L3800 and love it!

Syncro-shuttle is still more fun than HST...

 

[Herkypilot]

Thanks for the replies. I figured it was ok, I just wanted to make sure I'm doing my part to make sure my clutch lasts as long as possible. I use the foot throttle just like in a truck - back off before pushing in the clutch, especially when the transfer case(?) is set to HIGH which seems to be much easier on the clutch. I only use the technique I originally posted above when in LOW.

HP

 

[Bluegill2]

Thanks for the replies. I figured it was ok, I just wanted to make sure I'm doing my part to make sure my clutch lasts as long as possible. I use the foot throttle just like in a truck - back off before pushing in the clutch, especially when the transfer case(?) is set to HIGH which seems to be much easier on the clutch. I only use the technique I originally posted above when in LOW.

HP

I do the same here.

 

[TripleR]

I don't throttle down changing directions while mowing or changing gears and in 50+ years have never replaced a clutch, we have tractors from 1953 to 2012. Not saying anyone else should just the way my dad and brothers have always done it.

 

[k0ua]

Clutch? I ain't got no clutch no more. Confucius say "man who drive car with automatic transmission is shiftless bastard"

James K0UA "clutch-less in Branson"

 

[TripleR]

Clutch? I ain't got no clutch no more. Confucius say "man who drive car with automatic transmission is shiftless bastard"

James K0UA "clutch-less in Branson"

Heck, I've got more clutches than I need.