what rpm's to use the clutch?

[George the Beagle]

The older model simply had a big old manual lever which engaged the mowing deck. Bullet proof.

Yep, and I still like that better. My old Cub Cadets had the simple lever...you could idle down and gently engage the PTO; much less wear and tear IMHO. How about some of these modern lawn tractors that automatically disengage the mower when reversing? The audible screech you hear when the operator moves forward and the PTO re-engages makes me wince. And you know that PTO clutch replacement is just a matter of time.

My 2010 Tacoma has a nice switch for engaging 4wd, but it is very finicky about going into low range. My old Tacoma had the stick which again I liked better.

I idle down my BX when engaging the PTO but it still clunks into engagement.

I know, it sounds like I've moved into old farthood. Guilty as charged.

 

[RobertN]

The B7800 is the followup to my old B8200HST, by a couple generations.

I mostly used the clutch to start the tractor(mostly beause of the clutch safety switch), and for the PTO.

As long as the tractor was stopped, and foot was off the HST pedal, it easily shifted between H/M/L on the HST. Also easily went in/out of 4WD. For starting and driving the tractor, there really was no need for the clutch.

It was necessary for the PTO though, no matter what. And that is true of most all tractors. They will always need some clutching type mechanism, whether manual, hydraulic, or electric.

Looking at the current B series, they still offer gear and HST. Will probably have a clutch no matter what as long as they still offer that.

It is a little interesting. My current NH TC40D was available gear or HST. My HST version does not have a clutch...

On my B2320, one MUST engage the clutch to change gears. Wow, if you just touch the range lever with your hip or knee, inadvertently, it lets you know immediately!! The grinding sound is gosh awful.

I'm sure the need for a clutch on the B series to change range, 4x4, or PTO no doubt simplifies things in the design and is a cost saver for this line? It's second nature to me and I don't even think about while doing it, but I guess a lot of guys seem to wish for all this to be "modernized".

 

[RobertN]

To the OP, whether my old B8200, or my current NH, I always idled down the tractor before clutching and shifting the PTO. It is less wear on the clutch, and less shock on the PTO and attachment when engaging the PTO.

Even with the Independant PTO on the NH they recomend that.

 

[namesray]

thank you to all for your advice. i usually only used the clutch at idle, but it just got tiring throttleing it down all the time to do it and i didn't feel any difference when i did leave it at higher rpm's but i always wondered= hence why i asked. i remember when i operated my grandpa's tractors and just left the rpm's up on them when just changing gears, but i think they were 2 stage clutches (1 to disenguage transmission/ 1 to disenguage the pto.) maybe that was wrong too. anyhow, thanks for the feed back, it will help extend the life of my clutch.