SHUTTLE SHIFT, REDUCE POWER first?

[geekwithoutacause]

Hi all,
New to tractors. Got a MF1240 in pretty good shape. Reading the operator manual it states to reduce power before shifting from Forward to Reverse. Is that needed?

Sorry if this is a dumb question.

 

[TripleR]

I reduce speed, not power on our M8540, no question is dumb, these things are expensive.

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To TBN GeekWOAC. You have come to the right place to get answers.

 

[geekwithoutacause]

I reduce speed, not power on our M8540, no question is dumb, these things are expensive.

Yes, I do stop the tractor when going from forward to reverse and back to forward... But you don't lower the rpm's before you operate the shuttle valve? The original manual states that.?

 

[HEC]

I just reduce speed to almost a stop before changing directions . I very seldom run at a high rpm , if I was I would reduce rpm some along with speed .

 

[DK35vince]

Hi all,
New to tractors. Got a MF1240 in pretty good shape. Reading the operator manual it states to reduce power before shifting from Forward to Reverse. Is that needed?.

I do.
I throttle down before forward/reversing. That's what the foot throttle is for.
(my tractor is not a power reverser. Shuttle with a dry clutch)

 

[ovrszd]

Yes, I do stop the tractor when going from forward to reverse and back to forward... But you don't lower the rpm's before you operate the shuttle valve? The original manual states that.?

I do 90% of my work at idle or just above. If I'm operating at PTO speed I use the foot clutch in conjunction with the hand shuttle.

Welcome to TBN.

 

[geekwithoutacause]

So when I am moving dirtpiles, is it easier to use the footpedal ?
Thanks for the comments.

 

[TripleR]

Yes, I do stop the tractor when going from forward to reverse and back to forward... But you don't lower the rpm's before you operate the shuttle valve? The original manual states that.?

Not if I am running a bush hog, I have areas on levies and hills where frequent changes in directions, so I leave it at 540 RPM. I also did our Case CX80 with synchro shuttle.

When our M8540 was delivered I specifically asked this as the M8540 has a hydraulic clutch. Moving dirt, grapple, I use the foot pedal o vary RPM.

 

[cgutenschwager]

So when I am moving dirtpiles, is it easier to use the footpedal ?
Thanks for the comments.

ABSOLUTELY! That's my main use for my 4310, a loader tractor. It has the powerReverser 12X12 trans. I only touch the clutch once when i start it; everything else is done with the foot throttle and shuttle. I usually give it 1 second in neutral when switching directions. Hope this helps!

 

[geekwithoutacause]

ABSOLUTELY! That's my main use for my 4310, a loader tractor. It has the powerReverser 12X12 trans. I only touch the clutch once when i start it; everything else is done with the foot throttle and shuttle. I usually give it 1 second in neutral when switching directions. Hope this helps!

Oh so you use footpedal but no clutch when using the shuttle valve? I guess I was doing the opposite..:laughing:

edit: just looked it up in the mf1240 operator manual. It states to reduce engine rpm AND press the clutch.

 

[ovrszd]

Oh so you use footpedal but no clutch when using the shuttle valve? I guess I was doing the opposite..:laughing:

Easy now, his description of useage is deceiving.

 

[cgutenschwager]

Oh so you use footpedal but no clutch when using the shuttle valve? I guess I was doing the opposite..:laughing:

edit: just looked it up in the mf1240 operator manual. It states to reduce engine rpm AND press the clutch.

Well, I suppose you should follow the manual. Do you have a fully synchronized trans? Do you have to bring the tractor to a stop to shift?

edit: I just looked up your mf1240 & my jd4310....dry disc vs wet. that's why you need to clutch to shift the shuttle. I would drive it like the old dump truck... alternating feet you're either on the clutch or the foot throttle. make sense?

 

[Turbys_1700]

I tend to hesitate just a moment before utilizing the shuttle. I hardly ever run at higher RPM's unless I am bush hogging. I run at the rated RPM. Typically I run around 1500 to 1800 RPM's. With the hydraulic shuttle I do not depress the clutch.

 

[DK35vince]

So when I am moving dirtpiles, is it easier to use the footpedal ?
Thanks for the comments.

Much easier for the operator and clutch IMO.
I always use my foot throttle to throttle up/down for forward/reversing for loader work, mowing, brush mowing, ETc. Etc.