JohnDeere4300
Veteran Member
I have had that happen before also.
PTO= 540rpms
- Thread starter GolfGolf
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I have had that happen before also.
3RRL
Super Member
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2005
- Messages
- 6,931
- Tractor
- 55HP 4WD KAMA 554 and 4 x 4 Jinma 284
I do like most have said ... engage the PTO at low engine rpms and let the clutch out slowly to get the implement spinning (like a brush hog for example). I'd hate to have a PTO that fully engages as soon as you pull the lever. The shock load has to be tremendous on the drive line. Mine is clutch engaged and I can slip it a little to get things spinning with less stress.
Operating the implement at 540 PTO rpm is usually the best since that's what the implement is rated for and will probably give you the best performance. As long as you don't run faster than 540 PTO rpm since that might harm the implement. But there is no reason you couldn't run it slower if the results are adequate and what you desire AND you are not bogging the tractor engine down. So it's a combination of things...
Never bog the tractor engine down.
Make sure the implement works and performs adequately and what you desire.
Adjust ground speed to suit.
Alter the combination of rpms and speed if needed.
One thing mentioned is that your tractor engine makes it's rated horsepower at it's rated engine rpm.
The other factor to look at is where (what engine rpm) does your peak torque occur? What I do is set my engine rpm just above where the peak torque is developed, but not necessarily at max engine rpm. Maybe a hundred or more rpm in most cases. Only sometimes do I have to use full engine rpm for full hp. So when the tractor starts to get a bigger load on it, the engine rpms drop back a little right into where the peak torque is developed. What does that do for you? Well, put rather simply, torque is what gets you going and hp is what keeps you there. You are using your engine's capabilities where hp and torque help each other...and not necessarily to it's maximum performance.
My 55hp tractor has 2 PTO ranges.
One range is 540 PTO rpm at 2300 engine rpm and the other is range is 720 PTO rpm at 2300 engine rpm.
I frequently use the 720 PTO setting to do light to medium mowing. In that range, I can run my engine rpms at 1725 to develop 540 PTO rpms. Coincidentally, my peak torque is developed around 1600+ engine rpms, so that puts it where if the engine started to bog a little, it would drop back to where peak torque is developed. Then the increase in torque will surge the engine back to the higher rpm. I get excellent implement performance and super good fuel consumption plus saved wear and tear on the tractor components. Of course there are times when you need full horsepower to do a job, but I've found it rare in my case. Just something to think about.
Rob-
Operating the implement at 540 PTO rpm is usually the best since that's what the implement is rated for and will probably give you the best performance. As long as you don't run faster than 540 PTO rpm since that might harm the implement. But there is no reason you couldn't run it slower if the results are adequate and what you desire AND you are not bogging the tractor engine down. So it's a combination of things...
Never bog the tractor engine down.
Make sure the implement works and performs adequately and what you desire.
Adjust ground speed to suit.
Alter the combination of rpms and speed if needed.
One thing mentioned is that your tractor engine makes it's rated horsepower at it's rated engine rpm.
The other factor to look at is where (what engine rpm) does your peak torque occur? What I do is set my engine rpm just above where the peak torque is developed, but not necessarily at max engine rpm. Maybe a hundred or more rpm in most cases. Only sometimes do I have to use full engine rpm for full hp. So when the tractor starts to get a bigger load on it, the engine rpms drop back a little right into where the peak torque is developed. What does that do for you? Well, put rather simply, torque is what gets you going and hp is what keeps you there. You are using your engine's capabilities where hp and torque help each other...and not necessarily to it's maximum performance.
My 55hp tractor has 2 PTO ranges.
One range is 540 PTO rpm at 2300 engine rpm and the other is range is 720 PTO rpm at 2300 engine rpm.
I frequently use the 720 PTO setting to do light to medium mowing. In that range, I can run my engine rpms at 1725 to develop 540 PTO rpms. Coincidentally, my peak torque is developed around 1600+ engine rpms, so that puts it where if the engine started to bog a little, it would drop back to where peak torque is developed. Then the increase in torque will surge the engine back to the higher rpm. I get excellent implement performance and super good fuel consumption plus saved wear and tear on the tractor components. Of course there are times when you need full horsepower to do a job, but I've found it rare in my case. Just something to think about.
Rob-
