Mowing Shredder studders when PTO engages

Manueleg · Oct 9, 2013

Question - Just got a Kubota L4600 with a hydro static transmission, I was under the impression that you do not have to depress the clutch when engaging the PTO to run the shredder, but when I engage the shredder on the PTO there is a severe jolt. I have the RPM below 1000 when I engage the PTO but haven't depressed the tractor clutch. Am I doing something wrong? Should I depress the tractor clutch? is the jolt normal? 2) what should I do to reduce the jolt?

Dozernut · Oct 9, 2013

That is normal, the blades are mounted on pins or bolts and swing freely. Until centrifugal force straightens the blades out they are out of balance.

MikeInEburg · Oct 9, 2013

If you have a clutch and it can be used to gently engage the PTO, I'd use it every time.

compact · Oct 9, 2013

Manual clutch - let it out slowly, you will still get a little shudder.
Electric clutch - it's going to shudder as when the hub starts to spin it can actually get the blades spinning around the pivot pin for a bit until the centrifugal force holds them out- takes a second or so sometimes. Nature of the beast.

TripleR · Oct 9, 2013

Pretty much the nature of cutters, on the Kubota, at least on mine, you can use the clutch, to get a bit smoother spool up, but I don't bother, all our tractors with independent PTO do the same thing when engaged, just engage at relatively low RPM and you will be fine.

hunterridgefarm · Oct 9, 2013

Manueleg said:
what should I do to reduce the jolt?

I have the L3130 and unless the L4600 is different, or I miss read the issue there should be a lever that engages the PTO.

If you push the lever into the engage position in one swift movement you will get the "jolt". You need to feather or slowly move the lever to the engage position at a low RPM. This should greatly reduce the jolt of the PTO engaging.

David