Start engine with PTO engaged

[MX Dad]

I bought my CK 25 used. It is NOT Hst. When I put finish mower on it and tried to engage the PTO, it would grind really bad. I was completely stopped, engine at slow idle and pushed clutch in for several seconds before trying to engage PTO. One day, my dad was on tractor and started it with the PTO engaged and it stared fine. From that point on, if we want to run the PTO, we engage it first, then start the engine and so far works like a champ.

Any concerns doing it this way? I'm assuming the original owner disconnected the safety switch. Should I keep it this way?

 

[k0ua]

I bought my CK 25 used. It is NOT Hst. When I put finish mower on it and tried to engage the PTO, it would grind really bad. I was completely stopped, engine at slow idle and pushed clutch in for several seconds before trying to engage PTO. One day, my dad was on tractor and started it with the PTO engaged and it stared fine. From that point on, if we want to run the PTO, we engage it first, then start the engine and so far works like a champ.

Any concerns doing it this way? I'm assuming the original owner disconnected the safety switch. Should I keep it this way?

When you say engage the PTO, you did push the clutch in fully before engaging the PTO lever correct? And then you slowly let out on the clutch to start the pto spinning right? And if you did, and you still have this grinding problem, perhaps a clutch adjustment would be in order?.. see your manual.

 

[MX Dad]

Yes, clutch pushed all the way in, then waited a few seconds, and tried to engage PTO but the grinding was horrible and to the point where I just quit trying. There was 1 time when I got PTO engaged when engine running but the grinding was really bad. My dad shut the engine down with PTO engaged, we did whatever we needed to do, then he started it back up with PTO still engaged. I was surprised it started but also happy I dont have to go through that grinding crap again as long as it doesnt create any mechanical issues. I understand the safety part of it but honestly, I can live with it like this as I dont see ever getting in a position where it would really become a safety issue to where we get hurt. Dunno.

 

[MX Dad]

Also, forgot to add that once it does engage, there is no grinding. It only happens when trying to engage/start the PTO.

 

[newbury]

Still confused - please clarify, I don't know for sure if you have to have the clutch in to start the engine.
Do you start it with the clutch OUT and PTO engaged? Thus also starting whatever is attached. For instance with a rotary mower attached the mower would try and spin up as you started.
Or do you start it up with the clutch IN, thus nothing is really engaged until you let the clutch out. For instance with a rotary mower attached the mower would NOT try to spin up as you started.

 

[4570Man]

Unless he also disabled that safety you have to start it with the clutch in.

 

[MX Dad]

Clutch has to be in to start. So with engine not running, I push clutch in, engage the PTO, then start the engine. The engine starts and the PTO attachment starts spinning. In this case, a finish mower. When done mowing, I can disengage the PTO no problem without any grinding with the clutch in and engine running. The only grinding occurs with engine running at slow idle, clutch in, and try to engage PTO.

 

[MX Dad]

Yes, the clutch safety switch is in place and working. It wont start unless clutch is pushed in. I havent checked the seat switch yet.

 

[ritcheyvs]

Adjust clutch. Full clutch pedal should disconnect engine power from PTO. And your's ain't doin that.

Supplemental: And (oh by the way) that dragging clutch will accelerate clutch wear and clutch replacement in a tractor is not trivial or cheap.

 

[k0ua]

Adjust clutch. Full clutch pedal should disconnect engine power from PTO. And your's ain't doin that.

Yes, that clutch adjustment we spoke of in my first post. It is a relativity minor procedure... Please see your manual.

 

[TJP89]

First, you have a two stage clutch. There will be a first stop, which only disengages the drivetrain. Then it goes further, which disengages the PTO. This so one can change gears without stopping the PTO. I know you say you have pushed it down all the way, but it may have only been to the first stop, this has happened before.

Otherwise, as said above, the clutch needs to be adjusted. It is straightforward and is in your manual.

Second, as I found out, the only safety start inhibit is the clutch switch, there are no seat switches or PTO switches. Can be good or bad depending on your point of view. Although a switch that prevents starting with the PTO engaged seems like a good idea to me.

 

[MX Dad]

Cool, thanks guys. I will be adjusting the clutch before next time running it. I didnt know about those other switches not existing. I dont know where (or why) I thought mine had em. The safety switch is a call each owner must choose. I dont mind it starting with the PTO on, but thanks to this site, it showed me a bigger potential problem with my clutch.

So do all of ya'lls tractor start with the PTO engaged?

 

[k0ua]

Cool, thanks guys. I will be adjusting the clutch before next time running it. I didnt know about those other switches not existing. I dont know where (or why) I thought mine had em. The safety switch is a call each owner must choose. I dont mind it starting with the PTO on, but thanks to this site, it showed me a bigger potential problem with my clutch.

So do all of ya'lls tractor start with the PTO engaged?

Nope. Will not start with PTO switch engaged. But My tractor uses an electric/hydraulic PTO engagement. There is just a rocker switch on the dash to engage the PTO and a Auto/manual PTO switch.

 

[Xfaxman]

Clutch has to be in to start. So with engine not running, I push clutch in, engage the PTO, then start the engine. The engine starts and the PTO attachment starts spinning. In this case, a finish mower. When done mowing, I can disengage the PTO no problem without any grinding with the clutch in and engine running. The only grinding occurs with engine running at slow idle, clutch in, and try to engage PTO.

So the finish mower starts spinning before you let the clutch out?

What happens when mowing and you push the clutch all the way down as hard as possible, past the first detent? Does the mower stop spinning?

 

[buickanddeere]

I bought my CK 25 used. It is NOT Hst. When I put finish mower on it and tried to engage the PTO, it would grind really bad. I was completely stopped, engine at slow idle and pushed clutch in for several seconds before trying to engage PTO. One day, my dad was on tractor and started it with the PTO engaged and it stared fine. From that point on, if we want to run the PTO, we engage it first, then start the engine and so far works like a champ.

Any concerns doing it this way? I'm assuming the original owner disconnected the safety switch. Should I keep it this way?

Serious , kidding or bored and trying to get everybody all worked up ?

 

[CobyRupert]

Serious , kidding or bored and trying to get everybody all worked up ?

I'm giving OP the "benefit of the doubt", I believe it's his first tractor, joined in October.

Hopefully the PTO clutch not disengaging is something as easy as adjusting the linkage and not the clutch itself.

People "adapting" rather than fixing is very common (as you/I probably see everyday). Op seems to be asking if this is the right choice. Granted, for you and I, it's easy to imagine what the "concerns" are, but for the OP maybe not, as his adaptation has worked like a champ so far.

 

[buickanddeere]

X

I'm giving OP the "benefit of the doubt", I believe it's his first tractor, joined in October.

Hopefully the PTO clutch not disengaging is something as easy as adjusting the linkage and not the clutch itself.

People "adapting" rather than fixing is very common (as you/I probably see everyday). Op seems to be asking if this is the right choice. Granted, for you and I, it's easy to imagine what the "concerns" are, but for the OP maybe not, as his adaptation has worked like a champ so far.

Wrecks , accidents , incidents, maiming and death almost always involve such Jerry Rigged solutions.

 

[DK35vince]

I have a question on this issue.
I've read multiple times about a stuck clutch.
On a 2 stage clutch like the OP has, can the PTO clutch get stuck and the main clutch still work and cause an issue like this ??
I have never had a 2 stage clutch apart, so I'm not exactly sure how the clutch discs are separated.
If the main clutch can be disengaged while the PTO is still running the clutch discs must run on separate splines where one disc could stick and not the other.
Is that correct ?

 

[MX Dad]

Serious , kidding or bored and trying to get everybody all worked up ?

Absolutely not playing any games. This is my first tractor and have better things to do than get everybody worked up. The finish mower starts spinning when the engine starts. If I push clutch all the way in, it still spins. The FM wont stop unless I disengage the PTO. As I mentioned, I get the whole safety thing about it, but come on, wrecks, maiming and death???? I have no ulterior motive here my friend, just trying to figure it out.

 

[Xfaxman]

-------- The finish mower starts spinning when the engine starts. If I push clutch all the way in, it still spins. The FM wont stop unless I disengage the PTO.-----------

You are not pushing the clutch in far enough or it is way out of adjustment.