When / How do you engage the PTO on your DK?

[Beezz27]

Obviously I know "flip the PTO switch" I get it BUT....... do you idle the tractor down, flip switch, rev to the 540 mark........OR... do you just flip the switch at operating RPM? That brings me to the next question what about the AUTO PTO end of things? After the first time engaging the PTO at operating rpm and seeing the TREMENDOUS amount of torque on the tractor and bush hog I now engage at idle then rev to the 540 mark. I don't use the auto feature while cutting because of the torque but I do with the tiller (shorter shaft, less mass). Is there any "slip clutch" to the PTO in the tractor or is it true on/off straight gear? The only other tractors that I have used the PTO engaged with the clutch pedal so it could be eased on as the clutch let out. I love the auto feature but don't want to tear up my tractor.

 

[ritcheyvs]

I idle the engine before engaging the PTO if I remember. I don't always remember. I use it in the auto switch position but don't really use the auto function except as a backup in case I raise the 3PH and forget to disengage the PTO. High RPM PTO engagement can't be good for the equipment but (so far) hasn't damaged anything as far as I can tell. I don't do that often.

 

[DK35vince]

I always start my PTO at idle, then throttle up.
I never use the auto feature.

 

[murphy1244]

I always start my PTO at idle, then throttle up.
I never use the auto feature.

Ditto :thumbsup:

 

[Msamt]

Hmmmm, guess I need to start throttling down?

 

[k0ua]

Ditto :thumbsup:

x3.. Even though the PTO is engaged with a electric over hydraulic assembly and therefor is supposed to be "easier" start.. didn't look too easy to me on the rotary cutter. It seems way safer to idle down and engage then throttle up. As for the auto, never use it, but figured it would be OK for something with low mass to startup like you said.

 

[ksbrdmkr]

Worked for 30 min too get the blades unstuck on the neighbors M5100 with mounted 6 ft mower after he engaged the mower at full throttle. the blade attached disk started up so quick that the blades just cross them self in the middle of the disk.

 

[k0ua]

Worked for 30 min too get the blades unstuck on the neighbors M5100 with mounted 6 ft mower after he engaged the mower at full throttle. the blade attached disk started up so quick that the blades just cross them self in the middle of the disk.

yeah, I want to avoid something like that if I can. There is nothing like winding up a tractor and "dropping the hammer" on what amounts to a big mass of steel that takes a while to spool up.

 

[DK35vince]

Hmmmm, guess I need to start throttling down?

I recommend it.
The PTO turns on hard/fast. You don't want to be throttled up to turn them on.
Just adds unnecessary damage to machine and implement.

 

[phiferpharm]

Ditto :thumbsup:

Ditto X4 and I've not had to replace a shear pin in my Field mower in quite a while using that method.