Answer Not Found in Bush Hog Manual

[colestin]

Maybe I just missed it, but the manual for my new 72" Bush Hog field mower never mentions required / correct PTO RPM. I want to use the correct PTO RPM, of course. I ran the unit at 540 RPM for a while, and it worked. Would have been scary to run it at 1000. My Branson 3510 PTO will do either speed. Which is correct?

I guess this Branson does not have a "live PTO"... too bad. feels wierd when letting off the clutch.

 

[RoyJackson]

Run it at 540

What do you mean, it feels weird when you let off the clutch? You can expect vibration...especially until the blades extend.

I suggest you engage the PTO at 1200 RPM or so...let it stay there for about 8-10 seconds, then run the engine RPM to PTO speed.

 

[slowrev]

Roy has good advice /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Ben

 

[Bird]

I would expect the correct RPM to be listed in the manual, but if you go to bushhog.com and look up your model, it has the information there. Of course, as has been said, I've little doubt that it's 540. In fact, I'm not sure Bush Hog even makes one for 1,000 RPM except the model 287.

 

[bdog]

I would say it is safe to assume any pto device is 540 unless it specifically states otherwise on it.

I have a Branson and with my shredder I set the lever at 1000 rpm, and run the engine at 1400 rpm, thus giving me close to 540 rpm at the pto. The rated pto speeds on the branson are at 2600rpm. If I am in some heavy stuff that can bog the tractor I run at 540/2600 90% of the time I run at 1000/1400 which is a lot quieter, and saves fuel.

 

[Soundguy]

Mnay 1000rpm pto implements use the 21? spine shafts anyway...

Soundguy

 

[colestin]

Thanks, all! 540 it is. And RoyJackson, what I meant about feeling wierd is that I am not use to things bogging down the engine of my branson. Normally you let off the clutch and that puppy goes. But the hog is quite a load and could easily kill the engine if I let off of the clutch too fast. My "routine" now is to leave the tractor in neutral, get the hog turning, then put the tractor in gear and go. Of course, each time I put in the clutch to change gears or back up I try not to let the hog slow down too much. I suppose this is all standard procedure for tractors without a "live PTO". I have noticed one thing: The PTO seems to engage sooner than the drive train when slowly letting off the clutch. Is this on purpose? Once again, the manual (for my Branson 3510) doesn't say a word about PTO operation that I can find. Just for fun I attached a cheesecake shot.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The PTO seems to engage sooner than the drive train when slowly letting off the clutch. Is this on purpose? )</font>

Now I don't know a thing about that Branson tractor, but it sounds as it you have a pretty common "two stage" clutch; pushing part of the way down disengages the tractor's driveline, pushing the rest of the way down disegages the PTO. Doesn't the manual tell if that's what you have? And if so, there should be no problem with having the tractor in gear to start with; just ease out on the clutch slowly to get the PTO started turning, and when it gets up to speed, ease on out on the clutch to start the tractor moving.

 

[colestin]

YES! Bird, you have NAILED it! I read the manual again (facial twitch) and though operation of the clutch is not mentioned, the specs for the clutch say "Dual Stage". I will try going from fwd to reverse without disengaging the PTO.

Thanks! As a tractor newby I have many questions, but this is one more answered. Next, I'll ask about hydraulic fluid in the appropriate forum (my 50 hour maintenance is coming up).

 

[TractorLegend]

When all else fails, consult the written literature.
It's a good idea to first do what you think, break something, possibly loose a limb or two- and then read up on manufacturers instructions. They call it "experience"
It's also a "man" thing my wife would say. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif