Power Reverser Use

[MWRR]

Last fall I purchased my 5105M with the Power Reverser Plus transmission (32/16 spds). This is the first Deere I have owned or operated since I was a kid. I would like to know the PROPER way of using my Power Reverser Plus transmission. When working the tractor, like loading and unloading big round bales of hay or putting hay out for the cows, should I run the tractor at operating speed when shifting from forward to reverse or should I use the foot throttle and idle down when shifting directions? I know the tractor is capable of being used both ways, but I want the tractor to last me for many years.
Should I operate in high or low range on a regular basis or does it matter (e.g. is high direct drive or low direct drive)?
Thanks for any help or advice.

 

[jenkinsph]

When I had a power reverser tranny I used the foot throttle for loader and back and forth work. Shifting at lower engine speeds has to be easier on the tractor and operator.

Can't answer which is considered direct drive, hope someone who knows can help you. Might wan't to ask jd110, very knowledgeable about current and present day Deere tractors. All of his posts are accurate and informative.

 

[MattLynch]

I was wondering the same thing. The owners manual isn't very specific. I have been letting the tractor pretty much come to a stop in N before changing directions.

 

[greg_g]

I've got an eHydro now, but had a manual shuttle shift before (non-synchro). The power reverser should be full synchro. That means you don't have to come to a full stop when changing directions. You don't have to idle down either. Set the hand throttle to where none of your activities - to included the loader - bog the engine down.

To minimize stress - yes - you should come to something near a full stop when changing directions. It also saves turf if you're on grass. The technique to practice is to anticipate when you'll full stop, and move the lever to the opposite direction just before that happens. I had the old style shuttle where a foot clutch was involved. Still, no throttling down was ever necessary. I anticipated the eminent change of direction, kicked in the clutch, moved the shuttle shift to the opposite direction, released the clutch again when I slowed sufficiently to go the other way. Same basic technique should apply to the Power Reverser

//greg//

 

[MWRR]

When I had a power reverser tranny I used the foot throttle for loader and back and forth work. Shifting at lower engine speeds has to be easier on the tractor and operator.

Can't answer which is considered direct drive, hope someone who knows can help you. Might wan't to ask jd110, very knowledgeable about current and present day Deere tractors. All of his posts are accurate and informative.

I haven't noticed JD110 on today. Hopefully he will share some of his wisdom when he logs on next time.

 

[Bigfoot62]

The Power Reverser on the M series is a "fully modulated" hydrostatic drive. Like Greg said, set your throttle and go to work. :thumbsup:

 

[AKfish]

I use the PoweReverser in the same way as I used to operate larger articulated loaders - JD 544, JD 624, JD 644.

I set the throttle at 1,400 - 1,500rpm when using the loader to move material. The engine rpm's should be high enough that you're up into the torque curve to give the engine a measure of "drop" before stalling or rpm cushion. I use the foot throttle to increase the rpm's when moving with a load or lifting and dropping the loader. Generally, that's up to the ePTO level - 1,650 - 1,700 rpm's. (Not sure where that would be on the larger Hp - M's.)

I also stop or gently reduce either forward or backward momentum (flip to neutral and coast) before flipping the reverser to the opposite direction. That way the clutch pack/engine is not working to counter the kinetic energy of the mass of the tractor and load.

Often, (although not always) when hitting a pile of gravel or snow, etc. I will flip the reverser into neutral just at the moment the tractor loses forward energy and before the wheels spin. Power up to work the loader and drop throttle just before shifting to reverse.

I have the shift modulator set to a gradual shift - not fast. (I don't have a lineup of belly dumps waiting to get loaded; so, I'm not in THAT much of a hurry!)

IMO - the key is "fluid" transition of motion - either forward or reverse. Not abrupt or jerky. Minimize wheel spin. Wasted energy and hard on running gear and increased tire wear.

If you've ever had a chance to watch a real "loader jockey" at work; you'd appreciate the "flow of motion" concept! Smooth transitions - no jerking or snapping - little to no wheel spin; and very little use of brakes, either.

AKfish

 

[MWRR]

Thanks Bigfoot & AKfish, that makes sense. I have been throttling down to idle and almost stopping before changing directions.

I was watching a guy unload a semi load of hay at the sale barn with a power reverser tranny tractor and he opened up the throttle and let it eat. That's what prompted me to ask the question. I didn't know if that was the way the tractor was designed to be used or if it was some employee that didn't care how he operated the company's equipment. He looked like he could pass for a "loader jockey" the way he worked it.

 

[twlyons1]

I have the 2011 5075M with the 16x16 Power Reverser and i would like to get the shift modulator, just dial it some so if you are up on the rpm's, you wont get a neck ace, mine will switch directions fast, even at lower rpm's and seems to want to kill the motor at times, have noticed that it tends to cut out slightly also just a 1/4 second after it switches direction, a real burrrr to a uch a burrr,,,,that's not easy to type out what something sounds like :laughing::laughing: If it shifts kinda hard, it will eventually show some were. If you drive it sweet and maintain it sweet, it should bring you a fat little return when trade in time comes around, not saying to do every thing at 1100 rpm's but rather the Little things like how braking and how hard shifting, clutch jumps,,,,, any ways, I need the shift modulator, just a potimeter but none the less most likely expensive. will be finding out very soon.