HST clutch purpose

[sms0000]

As said above - It needs it for PTO engagement/disengagement, safety reasons (push in & hit brakes) and for gear selection.........as all described in the owners manual .

 

[slan]

I also use it to load up the PTO. I don't like using the PTO engagement clutch especially on the bush hog, Even at idle it engages a bit to rough for my liking.
I also use it when changing ranges and disengaging FWD.

 

[dfkrug]

HST tractors with left foot clutches seem to be going away, based on
all the newest HST CUTs offered by manufacturers. Some manufacturers
at the recent World AG Expo are selling their newest no-foot-clutch models
right next to the older ones with foot clutches. (e.g. Kioti)

No foot clutch means you can put the split brake pedals on the left side,
which is better for braking. Some, such as JD, put the foot brakes on
both sides.

No foot clutch means you have to electrically engage the PTO, which can
be problematic as there is no feathering. This fact alone may encourage
a manufacturer or 2 to continue with foot clutches on HST tractors.

If you DO have a foot clutch HST tractor, you probably have less of
those pesky problematic electrical interlocks. My tractor has only ONE
safety interlock: the foot clutch. Some other models have 4 or more!

 

[Volfandt]

I believe the clutch is necessary to change gears. The BX only has one gear.

The BX has a two range HST.

The clutch on the basic B & L models are for engaging the pto. It may make shifting between ranges smoother but it's not necessary for that purpose.

BX's & the premium B's have hydraulically actuated pto's, and they have no foot clutch.

 

[TonyF]

Thanks everyone, yes the PTO make the most sense. It seems my question created quite a stir

 

[DiezNutz]

The BX has a two range HST.

The clutch on the basic B & L models are for engaging the pto. It may make shifting between ranges smoother but it's not necessary for that purpose.

BX's & the premium B's have hydraulically actuated pto's, and they have no foot clutch.

I was going to say the same thing.
Although for those of us that are clutchless, I can't help but wonder how much smoother shifting range or (dis)engaging 4WD would be with a clutch, or if would make any difference. Probably not on the 4WD.

Sometimes it takes a good bit of ratcheting with the range lever, along with some fandangling of the HST pedal, before it all meshes up.

[Guaranteed smoothest 2WD/4WD shifts I've found is with the front wheels in the air. ]

 

[Charlesaf3]

I have a clutch on the m59, which I have yet to find a use for. I used to use it to shift gear ranges, but decided after a while I was being silly.

Maybe hole diggers? Love to know

 

[SmallTimeCountry]

I have a 3700SU with the HST. With a load in the bucket and going from fwd to reverse without using the clutch, you can actually feel the tractor wanting to tip forward. Engaging the clutch when doing so makes for a much smoother transition between forward and reverse gears and you don't have to worry about tipping the tractor. I guess you end up using the brakes a lot less.

 

[KubieTwo]

I have a 3700SU with the HST. With a load in the bucket and going from fwd to reverse without using the clutch, you can actually feel the tractor wanting to tip forward. Engaging the clutch when doing so makes for a much smoother transition between forward and reverse gears and you don't have to worry about tipping the tractor. I guess you end up using the brakes a lot less.

Perhaps somewhat off topic but several things came to mind when I read your post. You may not have enough rear counterweight to offset your FEL use, you may be raising the bucket too high before you change direction, you should easily be able to feather HST change from forward to reverse so more practice could smooth the transition, and last relates to question of clutch life if you constantly use it as if the tractor is a gear tractor. I can't speak with authority, but I suspect the engineers designed the clutch for intermittent use, as in most of the time you would use HST for stop, start, forward/reverse change etc. Even if they used the same clutch parts you can certainly extend clutch life using HST instead of clutch as you described, and it is a well proven fact that a little practice with HST would make you, like all those before you, proficient in making smooth stops, starts and directional changes with no clutch.

Get some more weight on the rear if tipping is that easy. Getting both rears in the air a bit is far less of a problem than lifting one rear wheel and turning over on the side. The clutch won't help you on that one. If you lack experience, by the time you realize what is happening it may be too far gone to correct.

 

[DiezNutz]

Get some more weight on the rear if tipping is that easy. Getting both rears in the air a bit is far less of a problem than lifting one rear wheel and turning over on the side. The clutch won't help you on that one. If you lack experience, by the time you realize what is happening it may be too far gone to correct.

My thoughts exactly.

The other thought I had, was pushing in the clutch with a loaded bucket on a hill could be flat-out dangerous.

The beauty of HST for loader work, is that you don't have to use a clutch. Or a brake.

I don't use a clutch because I don't have one. If I did, I still wouldn't for this.
I don't use the brake except for parking, or very seldomly as turning brakes.