While people agonize over some aspects of a tractor purchase, e.g., should they get gear or hydro, should they get 2wd or 4wd, people way too often don't fully take the time to study the PTO choices available and use it to determine which tractor best suits their needs.
Not all tractors in the same class come with the same type of PTO. Sometimes the PTO varies within a model depending upon the transmission selection.
There are three basic PTO types:
Transmission -- This PTO operates as long as the clutch pedal is out on the tractor once the PTO is engaged. You gotta be real careful of these, especially the new tractor owner, because they can cause a mower or other attachment to propel the tractor forward when you want it to stop.
Some of these also have PTOs that turn in the reverse direction once you place the tractor in reverse. My late FIL had a 430 Case that was like that. It was great for running PHD, as if the PHD got stuck you could put the tranny in reverse and back it out of the post hole. On the other hand it was rough when you were running a bush hog, as you had a lot of momentum turning in one direction that you had to make sure was stopped before you put the tractor in reverse. There are a number of smaller CUTs and older tractors that have this type of PTO. Some of the older tractors came with a "hand clutch", that disengaged the rear wheels and allowed a pseudo-Live PTO to be achieved for processes in which the tractor would not be moving forward.
Overrunning clutches or couplers are a must if you are mowing with these tractors. Some are built in these days, but if you buy an older tractor it won't be built in.
Live PTO (AKA Live Power) -- These tractors have a two stage clutch, push the clutch half way to disengage the gears of the transmission, all the way in to disengage and stop the PTO. This is a vast improvement over the transmission powered PTO.
Independent PTO (AKA Live Independent PTO) -- This PTO is one that a lot of the CUTs have gone to over the last decade or so, especially the larger CUTs, as well as the hydrostatic transmissioned CUTs of all sizes. These usually engage with a lever or button and are not controlled by the clutch pedal at all. The clutch to operate the PTO is a separate clutch.
There are a few tractors that have PTOs that are selectable, the older Masseys in particular. You could choose between the tranny controlled PTO or live PTO.
Many tasks can be equally accomplished with any of the three, but both the live and independent PTO make life much easier, and sometimes (depending on the tractor) much safer. If you are planning on running a generator, wood splitter, concrete mixer, etc off the PTO then some of the transmission driven PTOs may not be suitable for you, because on some models if the tractor isn't moving then neither is the PTO.
Not all tractors in the same class come with the same type of PTO. Sometimes the PTO varies within a model depending upon the transmission selection.
There are three basic PTO types:
Transmission -- This PTO operates as long as the clutch pedal is out on the tractor once the PTO is engaged. You gotta be real careful of these, especially the new tractor owner, because they can cause a mower or other attachment to propel the tractor forward when you want it to stop.
Some of these also have PTOs that turn in the reverse direction once you place the tractor in reverse. My late FIL had a 430 Case that was like that. It was great for running PHD, as if the PHD got stuck you could put the tranny in reverse and back it out of the post hole. On the other hand it was rough when you were running a bush hog, as you had a lot of momentum turning in one direction that you had to make sure was stopped before you put the tractor in reverse. There are a number of smaller CUTs and older tractors that have this type of PTO. Some of the older tractors came with a "hand clutch", that disengaged the rear wheels and allowed a pseudo-Live PTO to be achieved for processes in which the tractor would not be moving forward.
Overrunning clutches or couplers are a must if you are mowing with these tractors. Some are built in these days, but if you buy an older tractor it won't be built in.
Live PTO (AKA Live Power) -- These tractors have a two stage clutch, push the clutch half way to disengage the gears of the transmission, all the way in to disengage and stop the PTO. This is a vast improvement over the transmission powered PTO.
Independent PTO (AKA Live Independent PTO) -- This PTO is one that a lot of the CUTs have gone to over the last decade or so, especially the larger CUTs, as well as the hydrostatic transmissioned CUTs of all sizes. These usually engage with a lever or button and are not controlled by the clutch pedal at all. The clutch to operate the PTO is a separate clutch.
There are a few tractors that have PTOs that are selectable, the older Masseys in particular. You could choose between the tranny controlled PTO or live PTO.
Many tasks can be equally accomplished with any of the three, but both the live and independent PTO make life much easier, and sometimes (depending on the tractor) much safer. If you are planning on running a generator, wood splitter, concrete mixer, etc off the PTO then some of the transmission driven PTOs may not be suitable for you, because on some models if the tractor isn't moving then neither is the PTO.