pto speed

[ugabulldog]

I know pto needs to be driven at 540 rpms. Does it matter how I engage as follows..... I put clutch in and shift pto on (operates based on rpms, not ground speed) then I rev up engine to 540, then let go of clutch to engage pto.....versus letting going of clutch then reving up tp 540 speed.....implement is spinning full speed on first ex, vs slowly getting to speed in second. I mainly use bush hog and auger. Thanks

 

[JC-jetro]

540 engine rpm is less than idle for most diesel engine. Usually 540 pto rpm is achieved at engine rpm of 2400-2600. Ground speed has nothing to do with pto rpm. PTO rpm is proportional to engine rpm.

jc,


edit: reread you post, your tach most probably shows engine rpm. Do you have a tach for PTO? probably not. it is best to engage pto at low engine speed and then raise the rpm to correspond to pto 540 rpm whether "live, independent or transmission driven pto" to save the components from excessive wearing out.

 

[MikeInEburg]

What does your owner's manual say on the subject? Mine recommends engaging PTO at low engine speed.
Mike

 

[k0ua]

I know pto needs to be driven at 540 rpms. Does it matter how I engage as follows..... I put clutch in and shift pto on (operates based on rpms, not ground speed) then I rev up engine to 540, then let go of clutch to engage pto.....versus letting going of clutch then reving up tp 540 speed.....implement is spinning full speed on first ex, vs slowly getting to speed in second. I mainly use bush hog and auger. Thanks

I guess I would ask why do you want to put a big shock load on your pto parts, your clutch and your rotary cutter or auger? Why not set the throttle down, push in clutch, engage PTO lever, and let clutch out slowly, let the implement spin up slowly and when it is spun up, then increase throttle slowly to bring PTO speed up to 540. Don't you think that all the parts will last a lot longer that way? I do. It's your machine and you can do it any way you want, but I would like mine to last a while. Just saying...

James K0UA

 

[whistlepig]

I like to engage the PTO at lower engine RPM and then throttle up to PTO RPM. On rotary cutters there is less banging of the blades and on the RFM there is less belt squeal on start up.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I know pto needs to be driven at 540 rpms. Does it matter how I engage as follows..... I put clutch in and shift pto on (operates based on rpms, not ground speed) then I rev up engine to 540, then let go of clutch to engage pto.....versus letting going of clutch then reving up tp 540 speed.....implement is spinning full speed on first ex, vs slowly getting to speed in second. I mainly use bush hog and auger. Thanks

I doubt you engine will idle at 540 rpm! The implement does not "need" to be driven at 540. It's designed for 540 rpm maximum speed (some are designed for 1000 rpm). It won't destroy itself it you exceed 540 rpm but the components will wear faster and not give good life. But there is an overspeed limit. For rotating devices, the loads increase with increasing speed so you don't want to overspeed, for example ,your rotary cutter, because you can cause some bad things to happen if you accidently hit a rock or stump, etc.

Always engage your pto from near idle engine speed to lessen the load on the clutch. Then accelerate slowly to the engine rpm that gives you 540 rpm on the pto output shaft. That makes it easy on the driveline.

Augers are different story. You do not drive them at 540 pto rpm unless you are augering water! You run them as slow as you can and still dig the hole. I run mine( rocky clay soil) at around 250 pto rpm (~1000 engine rpm).

 

[Soundguy]

i clutch, shift pto in, and then slip a lil leting it out, then throttle up.

I usually engage at just enough rpm so the pto load won't stall the tractor

 

[bigbull338]

when i start my pto i do so at about 1200 to 1500.an then i throttle up to the speed i want the pto to run at.

 

[flyingcow]

i clutch, shift pto in, and then slip a lil leting it out, then throttle up.

I usually engage at just enough rpm so the pto load won't stall the tractor

What he said

 

[RaydaKub]

A gradual speed up is going to be easier on everything. Do you take your manual shift transmission and drop the clutch at 2500 rpm? Let me rephrase that. Do you drop the clutch anymore now that you are buying your own rubber? :laughing:

You're less likely to kill the engine if you ease that clutch in with a pto also, even if it is full throttle.

Most tractors I've ever driven that had a tach had a mark for engine rpm required for the 540 (or 1000) pto speed.

 

[jenkinsph]

I engage the pto at the lowest idle speed and then slowly raise the rpm to match the task at hand. Just because I am using the pto does not mean I have to run at the rated pto speed in all cases. Most of my work such as rototilling is done at 1500 to 1800 rom, using an auger and phd I would be at low idle. If using a brush hog in heavy stuff I would consider a higher speed but isn't always necessary.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I like to engage the PTO at lower engine RPM and then throttle up to PTO RPM. On rotary cutters there is less banging of the blades and on the RFM there is less belt squeal on start up.

+1
My neighbor's rotary cutter (bush hog type) threw a blade. The blade eye broke out due to the blades repeatedly banging together on startup. It doesn't matter what equipment you are running, it is a basic principal of safety and longevity to engage a clutch at low speed and avoid excessive slipping of the clutch.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I am thinking that the OP is just pulling our chain, especially since he hasnt responded. I cant believe anyone with a tractor would be that stupid as to rev up the engine practically wide open and pop the clutch with implement on the PTO. Maybe he is used to drag racing. Hey maybe a new sport, Drag Tractor Racing.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I am thinking that the OP is just pulling our chain, especially since he hasnt responded. I cant believe anyone with a tractor would be that stupid as to rev up the engine practically wide open and pop the clutch with implement on the PTO. Maybe he is used to drag racing. Hey maybe a new sport, Drag Tractor Racing.

OP may not have a good feel for the difference in the 2 scenarios. ... indeed there are factors to consider and it is sometimes difficult to see much less sort their importance. The advice to start the PTO at lowest feasible engine rpm came out clear. Cant lose on that. It takes another perceptive step to discern that the advised becomes less and less important as the mass undergoing startup decreases.
larry

 

[bigbull338]

it doesnt matter if the OP is pulling our chain or not as its a good q.i know guys that ran equipment most of their lives.an they run the pto speed way to slow while they are working it under load.an that causes the equipment to tear up.an they never learn how to correct the prob.

 

[RoyJackson]

i clutch, shift pto in, and then slip a lil leting it out, then throttle up.

I usually engage at just enough rpm so the pto load won't stall the tractor

About the same...800-1000 RPM (well below PTO speed) and keep my foot on the throttle for more RPM if the tractor starts to stall.

 

[PioneerMan]

I agree with these guys. My understanding is just high enough rpm to prevent lugging. Deere manual states 1500 rpm. It depends on the load too. My heavy flail I will be around there, or maybe 1400. If it were a lighter load I would say 1300 or so.

 

[PioneerMan]

Oh by the way thats for hst, might be different than a geared tractor.