TC40DA PTO operation

lhfarm · May 3, 2005

OK, among other issues with my dealer, he didn't bring me the owners manual - it had been shipped so that somehow it got wet. He has ordered a new one. Since I don't have a whole lot of faith in his knowledge of this tractor at the moment, I'm going to post my questions here and hope that I don't screw things up when I start using the tractor.

Going to hook up a 6' bush hog mower. What is the proper procedure for engaging the PTO? Does the lever work like a hand clutch?

Thanks in advance.

DocHeb · May 3, 2005

1. Engine RPM to ~1500 (or enough, with experience, to not have the engine lug)
2. Slowly move lever forward to engage PTO - it is a bit "clutch-like"
3. Increase RPM to get the green 540 light lit.

To disengage, drop the engine RPM slowly to idle, letting the implement slow down before pulling the lever backwards.

Be careful, the rotary mowers have a fair amount of mass and may continue to rotate a bit after lever is moved.

djradz · May 3, 2005

Yes, exactly as DocHeb has described. Make it easy on the clutch by engaging at low RPMs and then letting the engine slow the implement down prior to disengaging.

lhfarm · May 3, 2005

Perfect! Just the information I needed.
Thanks.

dliston · May 3, 2005

Green 540 light? I don't remember any light...

Maybe I need to check this out /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Doug

DocHeb · May 3, 2005

( Green 540 light? I don't remember any light... )

Its' bad-boy brother is the Red 600 light .... at least on my 2002 TC40D.

PineRidge · May 3, 2005

Chris I can't imagine a change to either, they do come in pretty handy.

jinman · May 4, 2005

( Green 540 light? I don't remember any light... )

It looks like this: 5 4 0 
If you go too high, like this: 6 0 0 

Both are in the lower right quadrant of your instrument panel. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

jinman · May 4, 2005

( What is the proper procedure for engaging the PTO? Does the lever work like a hand clutch? )

Barry, the only thing I'd add to what Chris said is that you will notice the PTO lever engages the PTO sooner when the tractor is cool. After you've worked it for awhile, you have to move the lever a little more to start engagement. I guess since it's hydraulic, the warmer/thinner oil has to have slightly higher flow to engage. I have the positions memorized on my lever so I know just where the engagement begins and I can feather it up to speed.

If you forget to feather the lever and you use shearbolts instead of a clutch on your rotary cutter, you'll learn quickly just how much torque your tractor produces. It'll pop a shearbolt in half a heartbeat. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

lhfarm · May 5, 2005

Well, I had a chance to go over to the farm mid-week. Backed the tractor up to the bush hog (it is a real old Bush Hog brand). The sliding arms are really great, Got the arms and top link attached in a wink.

Went to attach the PTO shaft and... the new spline shaft doesn't have a hole for a pin. It will only accept a slip collar. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I'll have to see if I can get a new shaft or have the current one modified.

Oh well, while I had things hooked up I thought I'd spin the PTO and watch for the 540 lights come on. Hmmmm - no lights, just a 540 mark on the tach. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif So did they drop the fancy lights at some point?