Another BX, PTO, RPM question..

[Jibber]

When kicking in the rear PTO, my BX 2350 manual advises to "reduce engine throttle from full to half speed" to "avoid shock loads to the PTO".

I have a Bearcat chipper/shredder. This past weekend I decided to try using it with the BX.. the HP requirements are within the 2350s PTO output.

But, keeping the throttle at half and kicking in the PTO the engine nearly stalls.. and belches out a nice puff of black smoke.

It runs OK.. even with larger pieces of wood grinding.. but it's that startup that scares me.. especially since I'm just breaking in the tractor.

Am I overreacting? Or should I limit the use of the PTO chipper to my bigger L3130.

Thanks for any advice.. especially from any Kubota Dealer types out there! What do you advise your customers about break in and PTO implements?

 

[Soundguy]

Is your pto setup independent or dlutch / double clutch?

If clutched.. you can use the clutch to help bring the load up without as much shoct tot he system.. just like when you slip the clutch to take off.. etc.

If it is independent pto, your setup may not have a way to feather engage like some other manufactures can. I typically like to engage pto equipment at minimum eng speeds.. high enough to prevent stall.. but low enough to lower shock.. the independent pto on my NH has a feather engage sequence to go thru.. On some later clutch models.. just slip it a little..

Soundguy

 

[big bubba]

Mr Jibber: Think soundguy is right, just feather (without slipping too much) at a moderate but not too low rpm Really it depends on the load of the implement pto on that....what is the PTO HP requirements on the chipper compared to your tractor output? In regards to general break in, lots of advice out there. Some go full load right away, some baby. I'm in between...Moderate workloads, avoid lots of stop & start cold starts, I like to drive up & down hills within working rpm range, avoid high rpm w/o load. Warm up engine before working, let it cool down (running) before shutting off. Good luck

 

[RoyJackson]

I don't have a chipper, but this might help...

When you engage the PTO, have your foot on the throttle and give it a "blip" if it starts to stall. Your hand throttle should be at ~ half. Once started, let the engine idle for a short time (8-10 seconds), then increase RPM (with the hand throttle) to where you need it.

I do this when I use my cutter. It'll also stall the tractor occasionally (such as when I'm in a grassy area).

Anyway, that procedure works for me, it should work for you...

 

[SeymourBota]

OK, there's no clutch and no floor throttle.

From my experience, lowering the rpm for pto engagement is primarily for the implement's sake. Sounds like you may want to engage at 2/3 or 3/4 throttle. I still would expect some black smoke as the engine goes under load.

 

[Volfandt]

The BX series utilize an independant hydraulically actuated pto. Theres no clutch pedal to feather. Supposedly theres alittle amount of feathering going on once you move teh pto lever to "on" but if it is I can't detect it. There is a delay and this is normal, perhaps Kubota considers the delay as feathering

Like SeymourBota said, you're going to get some black smoke once the implement kicks in no matter the rpm, consider this nomal. The black smoke is the gov., calling for more fuel as it detected a slight decrease in rpm without the throttle lever commanding it.

Also likes been said, engageing an implement at low rpm is for the sake of the implement and not the BX. Try increasing the rpm you engage at and see if this doesn't load the BX as much. Course you don't want to engage at too high an rpm as it may make the implement jump all over the place.

When I engage my 60" MMM, I'm generally at around the 2 O-clock position which I would guess to be around 1500 to 1700 rpm. The engine does dip a little bit and puff alittle black smoke but I'd rather have that than wearing out my U joints on the pto shaft and/or the gearbox on the MMM.

 

[Jibber]

I too have the 60 mmm and it's never been a problem.. Oh, It slows the engine down momentarily.. but not like the chipper.. I cringe when I hit it.. Thinking of that big metal flywheel trying to get going.

Well, I feel better anyway, knowing that the implement takes more of the stress. With the tractor in break-in.. I'm trying not to be overly hard on it.

I think I'll just restrict chipper use to the L3130 until after the BX break in. But, yes, it's well within the BXs HP range.

Now for some mowing!

 

[kevinj]

I too have the 60 mmm and it's never been a problem.. Oh, It slows the engine down momentarily.. but not like the chipper.. I cringe when I hit it.. Thinking of that big metal flywheel trying to get going.

Well, I feel better anyway, knowing that the implement takes more of the stress. With the tractor in break-in.. I'm trying not to be overly hard on it.

I think I'll just restrict chipper use to the L3130 until after the BX break in. But, yes, it's well within the BXs HP range.

Now for some mowing!

The 50 series pto can be feathered in very easily. Move the lever about half a wait and a couple seconds, then ease it in as the clutch starts to engage. don't just slam it in.

 

[Singlecoil]

Hey Jibber,

What model of Bearcat chipper are you running on the BX? Is it a chipper/shredder or just a chipper and do you remember about how much it costs?
Sounds like you're going to wait until the break in is over before you really put it through its paces.

I'm in the market for one for my BX24.

Thanks.

 

[Jibber]

Hey, thanks kevin.. I'll try that! Nothing about that in the manual. I figured it was solenoid activated and there was no clutching or feathering possible.

I have the Bearcat 70554. It is a chipper/shredder although I don't use the "shredder" function much.. at least as far as dumping stuff in the hopper. Most everything goes down the shoot. Works great.. although the blades tend to dull after just a few hours of use. I think that's more of how I'm using it.. mostly on dead blowdowns. Dry stuff tends to heat up the blades. If you are chipping green branches as the pros do.. the blades can go dozens of hours between sharpenings.

This is my model and it works great with the BX..

http://bearcatproducts.com/main/pro...=CHSHRED&description=Chipper/Shredders&size=5