Well thank you for your half answer, yes this tractor is new to me just as the my thred stated and it is 4x4 manual and yes the owners manual which I have read at least 4 times states it is a live PTO, Now since I have opperated tractors all my life over some 30 years both with and with-out live PTO some tractors that date back to the early 40's, it came as a shock to me to find the first time I used the bush hog it didn't disengage when I pushed in the clutch just as the OP stated in the opening thred,even though he has a different tractor,I also know that 90% of all new (post 1979) come with a 2 step clutch. My tractor is used, and therefore doesn't look or work as a new one per the manual. I have had to repair and replace some items on this tractor so therefore knowing what it should or shouldn't do per the manual is why I ask the question, and since the manual said it should have than the question I ask has merit, unlike your reply.
On a side note I have been here reading your reviews/post for almost a year and have found you to be one of the most helpfull of all the NW members on TBN. I was quite surprised at your responce to my question, so I felt I should reply.
MRCONCDID, do you have any idea how dangerous it is to be operating your tractor with the rotary cutter and not know how
exactly how to stop
it? I can assure you that you will not hurt me, so my concern is with you and your personal property. I cannot understand why you would wish me to not respond to what I feel is a very dangerous situation?
I'm totally baffled. If you have read your Owner's Manual 4 times and cannot be sure how the PTO operates, you should talk to someone who owns a TC30 like yours or the person who sold it to you (dealer or individual).
I do not own a TC30. I took an interest in your problem because of my concern for your safety. I logged into New Holland's website and looked at the parts diagrams for various TC30 models. What I found was that the 2wd models show a dual-clutch, but the 4wd and HST models showed a single clutch with "live 540 PTO." That's what I found and that's what I know. If I knew more, I'd love to tell you, but I don't. I can tell you that many tractors with a clutch have a driven shaft that drives the PTO whether the clutch is engaged or not. These tractors have a way of engaging the PTO that is not related to the transmission's clutch. Your statement that 90% of all tractors have a two-step clutch is just not factual in my opinion. I believe you are mistaken about this.
Now, I know your tractor is used. Did you buy it from a dealer? You didn't say how many hours are on the tractor, but indicated it is older. By telling us the number of hours, it will help us know if the clutches could be worn or need adjustment. I don't know why you think your used tractor would not work like the manual. If the tractor is the same model as shown in the manual, it should work like the manual says. If you have a HST manual and your tractor is a gear tractor, then yes, it will not operate the same.
Please don't take my response as indicating your question does not have merit. Of course it does. It not only has merit, but also needs to have access to all the experts on TBN who have tractors like yours. The reality is that that TBN has so many posts that many people like me don't read nearly all the posts here. We see a title on a thread and try to respond if we feel we can add something useful. The reason I read this thread in the first place is that I know how the PTO on a TC55 works. When I saw your post, I tried to help by going to the NH site and seeing what I could find. I'd be willing to bet that many TC30 owners are the same as me and probably have not seen your question in this thread. That's why I suggested you start a new thread of your own. I hoped you would get the correct answer as soon as possible by making your post more visible. I in no way wanted to diminish the importance of your post or the need for an answer. I'm sorry I can't answer your question, but it is not a "half answer." It's all I know and I hoped it might be helpful. I wish I could help more, but I can't.
