Question About engaging PTO

[n4khq]

I have a new Kubota, L3240DT and LandPride 6 ft cutter (bush hog). If I just disengage the PTO and allow the cutter to spin down, the blades to not swing in to the center. The PTO is a 1" inch yellow twist knob. It seems to be on or off with no in-between. The clutch does not disengage the PTO when depressed. With both blades in cutting position and the tractor at idle, engaging the PTO with the cutter attached, It sounds like hitting the cutter with a sledge hammer. I get some bouncing of the cutter like a blade was not in the cutting position. Once started, the LandPride cuts well. I think the problem is the PTO can not be engaged slowly. I know this can't be good for the cutter. Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[ProScape]

Engage and disengage at a lower engine RPM. Always run the unit at the full 540 pto speed but when engaging and disengaging bring down the throttle briefly and then advance back to the proper RPM. Also, don't engage in tall grass.

 

[n4khq]

Thanks for the reply, the problem occurs with the tractor at idle.

 

[wmonroe]

On my 5240 I usually depress the clutch, then turn the yellow pto knob to engage, then slowly release the clutch which gently engages the pto implement. Are you saying the clutch on your tractor does not disengage the pto?

I almost always engage/disengage the pto at idle.

 

[n4khq]

I am idling down as low as possible before engaging. I have been disengaging at about 1500. First use was today. I stood up and the kill switch killed the tractor. One blade slid over the other blade attachment bolt. I had to beat it off with a hammer. I started watching, disengaging the PTO allows the cutter the spin down and blades stay out in cutting position.

 

[n4khq]

On my 5240 I usually depress the clutch, then turn the yellow pto knob to engage, then slowly release the clutch which gently engages the pto implement. Are you saying the clutch on your tractor does not disengage the pto?

I almost always engage/disengage the pto at idle.

I use the clutch with some of my other tractors but depressing the clutch on the 3240 does not disengage the PTO. I assume it would not help when engaging but I have not tried.

 

[wmonroe]

Is yours a hydrostatic? If not I'm not sure how the clutch interfaces with the pto. I know the electric pto clutch engages a bit rough for my taste and that is why is use the clutc on mine (but I have a hydro).
Hopefully someone here can help you out.

 

[n4khq]

Is yours a hydrostatic? If not I'm not sure how the clutch interfaces with the pto. I know the electric pto clutch engages a bit rough for my taste and that is why is use the clutc on mine (but I have a hydro).
Hopefully someone here can help you out.

I have two L3240s, one is a DT Manual transmission and the other is and HST. The new tractor this thread refers to is a manual transmission.

Thanks

 

[SDT]

I have a new Kubota, L3240DT and LandPride 6 ft cutter (bush hog). If I just disengage the PTO and allow the cutter to spin down, the blades to not swing in to the center. The PTO is a 1" inch yellow twist knob. It seems to be on or off with no in-between. The clutch does not disengage the PTO when depressed. With both blades in cutting position and the tractor at idle, engaging the PTO with the cutter attached, It sounds like hitting the cutter with a sledge hammer. I get some bouncing of the cutter like a blade was not in the cutting position. Once started, the LandPride cuts well. I think the problem is the PTO can not be engaged slowly. I know this can't be good for the cutter. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Reduce engine speed to idle before disengaging PTO.

SDT

 

[wngsprd]

You've already stated that you engage/disengage at idle. If you think a slower engine speed would help prevent the shudder, and you have a slope/hill, you could engage while in gear, slowly moving up a slope...this should slow the RPMs down some, based on the steepness.