Starting with PTO Engaged

[bobframe]

Forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere.

My Kubota L3010 HST is doing something that seems different to me. Yesterday I tried to restart the tractor (thought I had the clutch pushed in) and it was dead. I noticed that the PTO lever was engaged, so I disengaged it and the tractor started normally.

My question is this: Should the tractor start if the PTO lever is engaged and the clutch is pushed in?

 

[BubbaJr]

What you experienced is how it is supposed to work. If you had an implement attached you could have done some real damage.

Joe

 

[ruffdog]

Even my 1983 Cub Cadet 982 won't start with either of the pto's engaged.

 

[bobframe]

What you experienced is how it is supposed to work. If you had an implement attached you could have done some real damage.

Joe

Thanks for your quick reply.

My tractor will only start if clutch is engaged. If clutch is pushed in and PTO was engaged, wouldn't the PTO be immobilized upon starting? How would "real damage" be done? For example, lets say I was bush hogging and turned tractor off without disengaging the PTO. Upon restart the clutch would be pushed in and only after releasing the clutch would the PTO again turn. Seems like a safe start to me. What am I missing?

 

[LouNY]

Thanks for your quick reply.

My tractor will only start if clutch is engaged. If clutch is pushed in and PTO was engaged, wouldn't the PTO be immobilized upon starting? How would "real damage" be done? For example, lets say I was bush hogging and turned tractor off without disengaging the PTO. Upon restart the clutch would be pushed in and only after releasing the clutch would the PTO again turn. Seems like a safe start to me. What am I missing?

Any tractor with independent pto the pto would be turning when the engine was, requardless of the clutch position.

 

[Mendonsy]

My B7500 HST works the same as your L3010. If will not start unless the PTO lever is in neutral and the clutch is depressed.

 

[bobframe]

OK, so I can stop worrying that somethings wrong. Given a choice between my understanding being deficient and the tractor being broken, its a whole lot simpler to fix my understanding. Thanks guys.

 

[ruffdog]

I think the manufactures and safety people want the tractor to be started in a neutral state, then, the operator can choose what implements and gears are started. You may be the only operator at your household but many pieces of equipment are operated by more than one person. How are they to know you left the bush hog engaged? They start the tractor thinking it is in neutral and let the clutch out not thinking it was engaged. Was the family pet under the mower? What if it was a tiller back there...do you want it to run as soon as the tractor starts?

 

[bobframe]

I think the manufactures and safety people want the tractor to be started in a neutral state, then, the operator can choose what implements and gears are started. You may be the only operator at your household but many pieces of equipment are operated by more than one person. How are they to know you left the bush hog engaged? They start the tractor thinking it is in neutral and let the clutch out not thinking it was engaged. Was the family pet under the mower? What if it was a tiller back there...do you want it to run as soon as the tractor starts?

Brilliant answer. Now I understand this. It really could be a disaster. Thanks.

 

[diesel85]

I think the manufactures and safety people want the tractor to be started in a neutral state, then, the operator can choose what implements and gears are started. You may be the only operator at your household but many pieces of equipment are operated by more than one person. How are they to know you left the bush hog engaged? They start the tractor thinking it is in neutral and let the clutch out not thinking it was engaged. Was the family pet under the mower? What if it was a tiller back there...do you want it to run as soon as the tractor starts?

Perfect statements and very realistic examples!

Remember: Accidents happen fast!