Off seat PTO

RoyJackson · May 5, 2019

I just read the manual for the RK 55 Cab tractor. One thing I didn't see is how to use the PTO when one is off seat...such as using a chipper or PTO driven log splitter. Do these tractors have off seat PTO capability?

RalphVa · May 5, 2019

I've always just strapped the seat back. My old 4010 had a switch under the seat that had to be jumpered to make it work. Did for a while. After that, I just strapped the seat back.

Ralph

oosik · May 5, 2019

Lordy - the way some tractor are set up is ridiculous. I do an idle pto engagement - run it up to around 540 pto rpms - stand up - the buzzer goes off for EXACTLY ten seconds and then turns itself off. I've been given a ten second warning - that's enough. Let's get on with the work at hand.

RoyJackson · May 5, 2019

I was hoping for responses from RK tractor owners...

Motorboatin · May 5, 2019

RoyJackson said:
I just read the manual for the RK 55 Cab tractor. One thing I didn't see is how to use the PTO when one is off seat...such as using a chipper or PTO driven log splitter. Do these tractors have off seat PTO capability?

Did you see this?

RoyJackson · May 6, 2019

Motorboatin said:
Did you see this?

View attachment 603485

Yeah, read that and it suggests there is no off seat PTO capability. That's why I started this thread...

Fordman98 · May 6, 2019

The way it reads to me is you have to have the parking brake engaged to be able to operate the PTO off the seat.

RoyJackson · May 6, 2019

Fordman98 said:
The way it reads to me is you have to have the parking brake engaged to be able to operate the PTO off the seat.

Kind of ambiguous...
I'm surprised no RK owners have responded...

My Deere 4520 has a specific methodology for off seat PTO operation and is described in the manual. In fact, every Deere I've owned (I'm on my 4th) has had off seat PTO capability.

I'm following a YouTube channel "Outdoors With The Morgans"...pretty good, so check it out. Anyway, Mike Morgan is evaluating three RK tractors, one of which is the RK 55 cab...something I'm interested in. The YouTube channel is what got me looking at RK tractors

cdb2 · May 6, 2019

RoyJackson said:
Kind of ambiguous...
I'm surprised no RK owners have responded...

My Deere 4520 has a specific methodology for off seat PTO operation and is described in the manual. In fact, every Deere I've owned (I'm on my 4th) has had off seat PTO capability.

I'm following a YouTube channel "Outdoors With The Morgans"...pretty good, so check it out. Anyway, Mike Morgan is evaluating three RK tractors, one of which is the RK 55 cab...something I'm interested in. The YouTube channel is what got me looking at RK tractors

I have a RK55HC and run a PTO wood chipper while off the tractor. As long as the parking brake is set my tractor both starts and runs without me in the seat, and also can engage and run the PTO while not in the seat.

CobyRupert · May 6, 2019

Fordman98 said:
The way it reads to me is you have to have the parking brake engaged to be able to operate the PTO off the seat.

:thumbsup:
I also agree it isn't exactly explicit. (Probably the lawyers got involved) "We can tell you when it won't work, but can't tell you how to make it work." :confused2:

oosik · May 6, 2019

Pretty hazy, off-hand comment but that's how it looks to me also. Set the park brake and you are good to get off the tractor.

jayincmh · May 6, 2019

I'm assuming you'd also want the PTO set to "Auto" (not manual) so that you can have it automatically start /stop the pto based on the height you set for the 3-pt hitch.

I've got a post hole auger, but haven't had the opportunity to use it yet.

CobyRupert · May 6, 2019

jayincmh said:
I'm assuming you'd also want the PTO set to "Auto" (not manual) so that you can have it automatically start /stop the pto based on the height you set for the 3-pt hitch.

I've got a post hole auger, but haven't had the opportunity to use it yet.

Why would anybody want to start/stop the PTO every time you lift the 3PTH up/down? I'm trying to think of a situation where that would be necessary, but can't. That just seems like a lot of unnecessary wear and tear. Especially with the electric pto clutches that slam in and out.

ptsg · May 6, 2019

CobyRupert said:
Why would anybody want to start/stop the PTO every time you lift the 3PTH up/down? I'm trying to think of a situation where that would be necessary, but can't. That just seems like a lot of unnecessary wear and tear. Especially with the electric pto clutches that slam in and out.

And it won't save anything on the PTO brake. Once you turn the PTO off, a spring on the PTO clutch pack will push the PTO clutch hub to a brake disc. The inertia of a chipper or mower will burn that brake disc in no time.

k0ua · May 6, 2019

Fordman98 said:
The way it reads to me is you have to have the parking brake engaged to be able to operate the PTO off the seat.

That is exactly the way I read it. Engage the parking brake, and the PTO will continue to run when you get up. My Kioti doesn't even have that. Just get up. If you fall in front of the bush hog you fall in front of the bush hog.

k0ua · May 6, 2019

CobyRupert said:
Why would anybody want to start/stop the PTO every time you lift the 3PTH up/down? I'm trying to think of a situation where that would be necessary, but can't. That just seems like a lot of unnecessary wear and tear. Especially with the electric pto clutches that slam in and out.

I have never used my "auto" PTO function for anything. Then mention in the manual using it for a tiller as you raise the tiller high enough at the end of the row it stops to help wear and tear on the U joints, and restarts when you lower it as you start the next row. But I have never needed it.

Motorboatin · May 6, 2019

RoyJackson said:
Yeah, read that and it suggests there is no off seat PTO capability. That's why I started this thread...

That isnt how I read it

Seems that you apply the parking brake and the engine doesnt die. My Massey is the same way but I also have to put it in neutral

ptsg · May 6, 2019

k0ua said:
I have never used my "auto" PTO function for anything. Then mention in the manual using it for a tiller as you raise the tiller high enough at the end of the row it stops to help wear and tear on the U joints, and restarts when you lower it as you start the next row. But I have never needed it.

Most people don't realize this because they're used to HST tractors that usually don't have a clutch. But on shuttle tractors, the Auto/Linked PTO will stop when raising the 3 pt but will also stop when pressing the clutch.

When I'm using the tiller, this Auto function comes in handy as I have some hidden roots from old stumps and if the tiller grabs those, I can quickly press the clutch and everything stops without damage.

RoyJackson · May 6, 2019

ptsg said:
Most people don't realize this because they're used to HST tractors that usually don't have a clutch. But on shuttle tractors, the Auto/Linked PTO will stop when raising the 3 pt but will also stop when pressing the clutch.

When I'm using the tiller, this Auto function comes in handy as I have some hidden roots from old stumps and if the tiller grabs those, I can quickly press the clutch and everything stops without damage.

We call that a two stage clutch in the US...not too many tractors have those any more...most are HST or shuttle shifts. I had that type of clutch on a Deere 670 and Deere 790

RoyJackson · May 6, 2019

cdb2 said:
I have a RK55HC and run a PTO wood chipper while off the tractor. As long as the parking brake is set my tractor both starts and runs without me in the seat, and also can engage and run the PTO while not in the seat.

Thanks very much...that's exactly the response from an RK owner I was hoping for...

Had any issues with your RK?