Tell me about 20 series PTO operation

[beenthere]

Being a bit facetious here, but just turning the key on and starting the tractor reduces its longevity. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
It may wear a bit on the clutch, but to me that is better than the sudden engagement of the drive train.

I think the words in the manual suggesting putting the tractor in neutral at a stop before engaging etc. is just liability BS that is thrown in along with so many other suggestions. Shut off tractor, remove the key, etc, etc garbage that just has to be in there to be so protective of their liability from the sue-happy lawyers. True or not, it's my take on the PTO manual rhetoric.
Bottom line, I don't think the electric PTO engagement is as drastic on the drive train as it appears, and that the engineering design has been tested for any real faults or dangers to the drive system, including the attachments. If the RC clutch is adjusted properly, it will slip to protect its gearbox, IMO. I still rather have the 'hand clutch' engagement that will allow the feathering in of the PTO. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I don't often run my rotary cutter at very high rpm just because it will do the cutting that I need done at lower rpm (unless I am in tall grass or grass that I want left with a pretty decent cut and I will turn up the rpm).

 

[beenthere]

Being a bit facetious here, but just turning the key on and starting the tractor reduces its longevity. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
It may wear a bit on the clutch, but to me that is better than the sudden engagement of the drive train.

I think the words in the manual suggesting putting the tractor in neutral at a stop before engaging etc. is just liability BS that is thrown in along with so many other suggestions. Shut off tractor, remove the key, etc, etc garbage that just has to be in there to be so protective of their liability from the sue-happy lawyers. True or not, it's my take on the PTO manual rhetoric.
Bottom line, I don't think the electric PTO engagement is as drastic on the drive train as it appears, and that the engineering design has been tested for any real faults or dangers to the drive system, including the attachments. If the RC clutch is adjusted properly, it will slip to protect its gearbox, IMO. I still rather have the 'hand clutch' engagement that will allow the feathering in of the PTO. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I don't often run my rotary cutter at very high rpm just because it will do the cutting that I need done at lower rpm (unless I am in tall grass or grass that I want left with a pretty decent cut and I will turn up the rpm).

 

[Cargun]

I talked to the salesman... he told me there was no reason to stop the tractor and put it in neutral other than safety. But he did recommend reducing RPM's before engaging the PTO as the engagement had very little feathering and was pretty much an on/off switch. They only had one 4320 on the lot and no mower hooked up to it. He didn't think they had PTO brake, so he didn't know why they recommended going down to 950 before disengaging it.

I was thinking the NewHollands had a mechanical lever, but their salesman told me it operated like the Deere's, pretty much on/off. The Kubota salesman said you can feather their PTO lever, which is electro/hydraulic. I drove a L4400 with a mower last week but never bothered to engage the mower as the parking lot didn't look like it needed mowing. But now I'm interested it trying it out to see how much modulation can be accomplished with that little lever.

 

[Cargun]

I talked to the salesman... he told me there was no reason to stop the tractor and put it in neutral other than safety. But he did recommend reducing RPM's before engaging the PTO as the engagement had very little feathering and was pretty much an on/off switch. They only had one 4320 on the lot and no mower hooked up to it. He didn't think they had PTO brake, so he didn't know why they recommended going down to 950 before disengaging it.

I was thinking the NewHollands had a mechanical lever, but their salesman told me it operated like the Deere's, pretty much on/off. The Kubota salesman said you can feather their PTO lever, which is electro/hydraulic. I drove a L4400 with a mower last week but never bothered to engage the mower as the parking lot didn't look like it needed mowing. But now I'm interested it trying it out to see how much modulation can be accomplished with that little lever.

 

[BillyP]

This is not new to the 20 series. They had this same type PTO engagement on the older 4600 and newer 4610. I don't see what the big deal is anyway. Just leave the PTO engaged and when you come to a bad spot, simply lift the mower till you're passed it. Then let her down and get after it again.

 

[BillyP]

This is not new to the 20 series. They had this same type PTO engagement on the older 4600 and newer 4610. I don't see what the big deal is anyway. Just leave the PTO engaged and when you come to a bad spot, simply lift the mower till you're passed it. Then let her down and get after it again.

 

[JD3520]

I have a 3520 and never stop the cutter unless I'm finished or have to get off to move something.

Like BillyP said, just raise the mower to get over the rocks and lower. No need to stop at all. In my opinion, that's why they have the 3ph; ability to raise and lower at will. It is quicker than any either disengage/engage (electric or manual) system .

chuck

 

[JD3520]

I have a 3520 and never stop the cutter unless I'm finished or have to get off to move something.

Like BillyP said, just raise the mower to get over the rocks and lower. No need to stop at all. In my opinion, that's why they have the 3ph; ability to raise and lower at will. It is quicker than any either disengage/engage (electric or manual) system .

chuck

 

[RalphVa]

Sounds to me like a very sensible recommendation and is what I do ALL the time now: set revs near 1500, pull PTO lever, rev up to 540 point and go, pull throttle lever all the way back before pushing in the PTO button. Sorta automatic now.

Keeps from breaking shear bolts on the brush hog on startup and having squealing belts on the shredder on shut down. Keeps the brush hog from forever free-wheeling too.

Followed pretty close to the same procedure on my Gravely. It went in better a slow idle though. Slow idle on the brush hog will often kill the engine on the JD because of those huge blades popping out.

Ralph

 

[RalphVa]

Sounds to me like a very sensible recommendation and is what I do ALL the time now: set revs near 1500, pull PTO lever, rev up to 540 point and go, pull throttle lever all the way back before pushing in the PTO button. Sorta automatic now.

Keeps from breaking shear bolts on the brush hog on startup and having squealing belts on the shredder on shut down. Keeps the brush hog from forever free-wheeling too.

Followed pretty close to the same procedure on my Gravely. It went in better a slow idle though. Slow idle on the brush hog will often kill the engine on the JD because of those huge blades popping out.

Ralph