what do these levers do?

[k0ua]

yes, the sticker does say high medium and low...but what does that mean? Is it to do with speed when I'm using the brush hog?
thanks for all your help...you do realise that as you answer my newbie questions, i'll just be coming back with more!

Hi Med and Lo are "ranges" or you can think of it as a second 3 speed transmission. Lets say your main transmission has 4 gears or speeds, BUT the tractor as a whole as 12 speeds or gears that it can be in because you have 4 forward gears on the main multiplied by the 3 positions HI Med, and Lo that the secondary transmission can be in. So in your LO range you have gears 1 thru 4 with 1 Lo being the absolute lowest speed the tractor has and the absolute greatest torque. Lo 4 would have more forward speed and less torque than Lo 1. Now you can move up to Med 1 thru 4 which will make the tractor go faster but have less torque than the Lo range. So then finally you have Hi 1 thru 4 with even more speed and even less torque. All the way up to Hi 4 with the absolute highest tractor speed possible and the absolute lowest torque available. Of course you would have 3 reverse speeds too LO rev, Med rev, and Hi rev.

Now I guessed at your main transmission gears, it could be 3 or 5 for all I know. but 4 is common. So if it is 4 forward gears your tractor would have what is known as a 12x3 transmission. 12 forward gears and 3 reverse. There are many other arrangements.

The concept of changing gears is to keep the tractors engine in its comfortable powerband and the ground speed can be adjusted by the operator to match the needed speed and torque requirements.

 

[Code54]

Yes - it adjusts YOUR speed. Low=Slow, High=Fast. Just need to experiment on what range you want to be in for your uses. Mostly it is better to go a little too slow than a little to fast. If you get the wrong range you may stall the tractor but nothing that is going to destroy it.
Good luck and ask whatever you have questions about, we all had to learn this stuff at some point.

 

[Code54]

Yes - it adjusts YOUR speed. Low=Slow, High=Fast. Just need to experiment on what range you want to be in for your uses. Mostly it is better to go a little too slow than a little to fast. If you get the wrong range you may stall the tractor but nothing that is going to destroy it.
Good luck and ask whatever you have questions about, we all had to learn this stuff at some point.

Looks like k0ua and I were typing at the same time and his answer is more detailed!

 

[k0ua]

So lets give an example of you using your brush hog. Now your tractor engine will have a "sweet spot" where it makes maximum power, and that engine rpm will be noted on the tachometer, by a "tic" mark. This is the speed that will make the PTO shaft turn at the prescribed 540 rpm at the PTO, This "tic mark" could be anywhere between 2000 and 3000 actual engine rpm. Most around 2500, depending on engine size and rotating mass. So you set your engine throttle to the "tic mark" to run your pto, and you adjust your ground speed to suit how fast you want your ground speed to be. Too low a speed and it may take all day to do the cut, too high and you can't stay on the tractor. Also depending on terrain you might not have enough power to go as fast as you would like and keep your engine speed in the powerband. But by downshifting to a lower gear you can keep your engine in the powerband where it needs to be.

Ask all the questions you like, we all will try to help.

 

[k0ua]

Looks like k0ua and I were typing at the same time and his answer is more detailed!

Well, you know me, Write a "book", when a simple answer will do..

 

[Code54]

Well, you know me, Write a "book", when a simple answer will do..

LOL! But always helpful and that is something everyone appreciates!

 

[Gunny]

Well, you know me, Write a "book", when a simple answer will do..

So I'd better not ask you what time it is????????

And you covered the range subject very well, much better than I could have without a lot of thought.

 

[k0ua]

So I'd better not ask you what time it is????????

And you covered the range subject very well, much better than I could have without a lot of thought.

What time is it?... well first you start with a block of brass, then you drill holes for the 17 jewels to sit in, then you need to mill out holes for the escapement and the main spring... then.... Just kidding...:laughing: