Modulated PTO engagement on CUTs?

bam747 · Aug 21, 2005

Which mid and full frame CUT brands have fully independent and modulated (soft, feathered) engagement for their rear PTOs?

I'm talking about the ability to slowly engage the PTO even while the motor is running at its full 540 RPM PTO rated speed. This PTO engagement can be manually modulated by the operator or electronically controlled and must be fully independent from the transmission clutch or hydro transmission.

I've seen some other posts here on TBN indicating that many of the CUTs only have a "slam it on" all or nothing PTO switch and the best practice seems to be engaging the PTO only at slow (near idle) engine speeds. That would seem to be a big issue for PTO driven implements with large rotating masses (rotary mowers, small square balers).

JerryG · Aug 21, 2005

The larger Massey Ferguson compacts have had soft engagement for several years. The 1200s and the 1400 had a two stage engagement. The new 1500 has a separate switch that feathers the PTO in.

RoyJackson · Aug 21, 2005

"I've seen some other posts here on TBN indicating that many of the CUTs only have a "slam it on" all or nothing PTO switch and the best practice seems to be engaging the PTO only at slow (near idle) engine speeds. That would seem to be a big issue for PTO driven implements with large rotating masses (rotary mowers, small square balers). "

I'm not sure why engaging the PTO driven implements at a low RPM would be a big issue. It's just a matter of having your transmission in neutral, engaging the PTO at a lower RPM (1200-1500 RPM) to reduce the shock load to the tractor's PTO, then increasing the RPM. That takes less time then it did to type the preceding sentence.

DrRod · Aug 22, 2005

Does it even have to be in Neutral to engage? I think mine (JD 4110) goes on or off without leaving low range? Am I risking damage by doing this?

Soundguy · Aug 22, 2005

I know the poster said CUT.. but just to relate.. the IND pto on my NH 7610 has a feather engage.. but still reccomends you idle down before doing that to prevent wear to the pto clutch.

Soundguy

RoyJackson · Aug 22, 2005

( Does it even have to be in Neutral to engage? I think mine (JD 4110) goes on or off without leaving low range? Am I risking damage by doing this? )

No, it doesn't. I'm in the habit of having my 790 (gears) in neutral when engaging the PTO. I leave it in neutral until the cutter blades rotate for a few seconds...Land Pride's manual says 5-10 seconds, if I recall correctly.

I do think it's safer and easier on the tractor if one is in neutral when engaging the PTO, but that's just my opinion.

RalphVa · Aug 22, 2005

I think the PTO on JD CUTs is engaged with a solenoid. Just throttle back to around 1500 rpm and pull the button. On my Gravely, I got used to slowing it to idle to engage its all-gear PTO. Same thing. You can actually engage the Gravely PTO at speed by throwing both forward/reverse lever and high/low levers into neutral. However, you gotta make dead sure both levers are truly into neutral; otherwise, you'll grind gears.

My neighbor's old JD 820 PTO engagement seems much like that on the Gravely: purely mechanical. Gotta throttle back to engage it. Not sure whether the clutch can be used to feather it. Think the clutch only engages the ground speed box.

Ralph

frank_f15 · Aug 22, 2005

90% of the time i have mine in netural efor engaging PTO( but really don't think it is necessary, just push in the clutch, RPMS low and engage PTO and bring it up to PTO speed, just the reverse before disengaing the PTO. always with the clutch in

Soundguy · Aug 23, 2005

( I do think it's safer and easier on the tractor if one is in neutral when engaging the PTO, but that's just my opinion. )

I don't imagine having the tranny in neutral will affect an Independent PTO whatsoever.... My transmission clutch does nothing to my ind pto.... That's why they call them independent...

Even on a 2-stage clutch setup... I never shifted to N.. just depressed clutch to 2nd stage to engage.. then slip and go..

Soundguy

hunterridgefarm · Aug 23, 2005

On my Kubota L3130 I have a lever switch for the PTO. If you flip the lever over to engage the PTO it will work like a "slam it on". If you slowly move the lever over it will gradually engage the PTO. I usually throttle down to 300-400 RPM's when engaging the PTO and it does not matter if it is in gear or in neutral. The manual also states to slowly move the lever over to engage the PTO to prevent the "slam on" effect. This would be the same for L3130 - L5030.