PTO question??

[JerryG]

Over the years here, several member have had the shear pin break starting the PTO. Many have discussed lowering the PTO speed before engagement. On the compact MF's that I have owned, they have a feather start on the PTO. You can start the PTO at full speed, if you was so inclined without shearing a pin or jarring the implement. Now the the question. I there any other brand, other than Massey that has a feather start PTO?

 

[Bird]

Jerry, I'm not familiar with the "feather start PTO", and I always did engage my PTO with very low engine RPM, but my Kubotas' PTO was engaged with the clutch, so you could actually engage the PTO safely at any speed by slowly engaging the clutch.

 

[hazmat]

My new holland has a clutch too. I just ease out the clutch instead of dropping engine rpms.

I do slow down the engine to slow the rotary cutter before shutting it down. With it's stumpjumper flywheel, it can take a while to stop spinning.

 

[beenthere]

My Deere 4300 has a PTO clutch (hand lever) that engages 'featherly' if one wishes. Some may slam it home, but I don't. The electric switch clutches may be different. I don't alter the tractor RPM when I engage the PTO, but usually operate the rotary cutter at lower than 'rated' tractor rpm. I have the PTO drive shaft clutch.

 

[JerryG]

I guess that I should have stated.

Are there other brands with electro-hydraulic pto's that have feather start?

 

[Soundguy]

Ditto.. with Bird.. My NH 1920 is 2 stage clutch... all I gotta do is slip the first stage a bit for the pto to engage.. just like slipping the second stage a bit to drive off.

Soundguy

 

[Glenn9643]

Jerry,

This is the first time I've ever seen this mentioned so I checked my owners manual. There's no mention there of feather start on the pto. However, there is a caution to engage or disengage the pto ONLY at reduced rpm's. This may just be another difference between the 1455v and the other MF CUT's.
When mine engages it seems to do so pretty abruptly, and gives a pretty good "jar" to the tractor if rpm's are a little too high.
We have a JD 455 60" deck that we mow with. 23hp water cooled diesel. PTO (blade engagement) on it at full throttle is no problem.

 

[PeterT]

Jerry

My 4610 Jd Has a soft start on it. You can engage the pto at any engine speed and and it slowly comes up to speed, very nice.

PeterT

 

[GerardC]

On my CK20 you have to disengage the main clutch, move the PTO lever to engage, and then engage the main clutch. It's very smooth.
To avoid shock loads to the PTO, reduce engine speed. G

 

[JerryG]

Glenn,
The name that used for it is Feather start, but I have never actually seen a name given to it. It is set up as a two stage start. When the switch is engaged the hydraulic clutch only half engages for about half a second, then it completely engages. This staged engagement, allows for a gradually start of the mower etc. It would stand to reason that your 1455 should have it also, but I don't have a service manual for that model.