Auto Function On PTO ??

drjay9051 · Oct 4, 2013

New DK40. Has auto PTO where PTO disengages if 3 pt is lifted. Yesterday mowing in manual PTO (you must turn off PTO switch, no auto stop). Wanted to try auto so flipped the rocker switch to auto and PTO disengaged with the 3 pt fully lowered. Tried a few times same result. Also tried starting in auto PTO no engagement.

Anybody have similar issue? No fuse for just auto PTO. Looks to be warranty issue. Of course dealer is 30 miles from me and I have no trailer. i suppose it will wait till the 50 mile service .

k0ua · Oct 4, 2013

drjay9051 said:
New DK40. Has auto PTO where PTO disengages if 3 pt is lifted. Yesterday mowing in manual PTO (you must turn off PTO switch, no auto stop). Wanted to try auto so flipped the rocker switch to auto and PTO disengaged with the 3 pt fully lowered. Tried a few times same result. Also tried starting in auto PTO no engagement.

Anybody have similar issue? No fuse for just auto PTO. Looks to be warranty issue. Of course dealer is 30 miles from me and I have no trailer. i suppose it will wait till the 50 mile service .

It sounds like the little microswitch needs adjustment/replacemnt.. it is near the 3pt lift handle under the bezel. You can see it thru the slot the 3pt position control handle works in.

kiotiken · Oct 4, 2013

Of course it should work on a new tractor but I have to say, I don't like the auto PTO function. I thought it was going to be a great feature but I find the PTO comes on to hard. I only use the PTO for my snowblower and I idle down before engaging the PTO. If it had a slow start PTO function it would be great, but since it doesn't, I stick with the manual PTO.

k0ua · Oct 4, 2013

kiotiken said:
Of course it should work on a new tractor but I have to say, I don't like the auto PTO function. I thought it was going to be a great feature but I find the PTO comes on to hard. I only use the PTO for my snowblower and I idle down before engaging the PTO. If it had a slow start PTO function it would be great, but since it doesn't, I stick with the manual PTO.

I would have to agree. the last thing you need is to be a 2000 rpm or more, and have that PTO turning on and off. I engage that thing at idle. It has hydraulic clutch engagement, but it is still too abrupt to be doing it at 540 speed (about 2525 rpm on mine)

James K0UA

drjay9051 · Oct 4, 2013

k0ua said:
It sounds like the little microswitch needs adjustment/replacemnt.. it is near the 3pt lift handle under the bezel. You can see it thru the slot the 3pt position control handle works in.

Appreciate the help. I'll check it out. Kiotiken has a good point. If I'm in auto mode and lift the mower I'd need to lower RPM to avoid "shock" damage. I'll try to adjust but likely will not use the auto function.

Thanks again.

IslandTractor · Oct 4, 2013

I have literally never used my autoPTO switch except to test it. I just don't like the idea of the PTO suddenly engaging if my RPMs are more than idle because I find the jolt of engaging even at slow idle speed to be somewhat alarming with a bush hog. Honestly if they gave me a $5 rebate to go without the autoPTO I'd take the money.

Now the electric 4 wheel assist button is one of the nicest features on the tractor. I use it ALL the time when using the FEL to dig or grapple, especially on lawn. Leaving the tractor in 4wd engaged tears up the lawn when turning but using just 2wd tears it up when pushing with the FEL so I switch back and forth constantly.

gunmonkeyintl · Oct 4, 2013

Yeah, I don't get that function either. I thought it would be cool when i was bush hogging and got to the end of the row, until I forgot to switch it off before I dropped the BU back down one time. Didn't sound pretty.

I'd personally send Kioti a $5 check to eliminate the "feature".

k0ua · Oct 4, 2013

gunmonkeyintl said:
Yeah, I don't get that function either. I thought it would be cool when i was bush hogging and got to the end of the row, until I forgot to switch it off before I dropped the BU back down one time. Didn't sound pretty.

I'd personally send Kioti a $5 check to eliminate the "feature".

Think of it as a nice switch and premade cutout already in place for what ever you want it to be.

murphy1244 · Oct 4, 2013

k0ua said:
Think of it as a nice switch and premade cutout already in place for what ever you want it to be.

There you go, good thinking.

gunmonkeyintl · Oct 4, 2013

k0ua said:
Think of it as a nice switch and premade cutout already in place for what ever you want it to be.

That is some fine lemonade, my friend.
I may actually do that - at least unhook the switch until I need the slot for something, just to avoid accidentally turning it on.

k0ua · Oct 4, 2013

gunmonkeyintl said:
That is some fine lemonade, my friend.
I may actually do that - at least unhook the switch until I need the slot for something, just to avoid accidentally turning it on.

Keep in mind your manual PTO control lead runs thru that switch too, so it would have to be wired around. Then it heads to the twin relay up under the dash, and out to your PTO solenoid.. you would need to consult the schematic first.

Jmsmithy · Oct 4, 2013

I have a DK40SE HST w/ 6' Kodiak Brush Hog...I thought the auto pto was cool when it was delivered and dealer showing me features etc...next day I re-attached my mower, lowered it to use (w/ auto pto engaged) and BANG! My cover on the Hog shaft snapped both chains when the thing went from stop to full speed... I was not a happy camper! So I won't be saving the 2 seconds anymore and I'll slow to idle, engage, then boost my rpms back up....:banghead:

ksbrdmkr · Oct 4, 2013

Just finished tilling the garden and alpaca lot and love the auto function for tilling and then backing up with the tiller up and PTO off. Great for low inertial equipment but needs a warning label to turn off before dismounting the tractor. With the motor running and adjusting the 3pt from the rear can startle one when the PTO kicks in.

k0ua · Oct 5, 2013

ksbrdmkr said:
Just finished tilling the garden and alpaca lot and love the auto function for tilling and then backing up with the tiller up and PTO off. Great for low inertial equipment but needs a warning label to turn off before dismounting the tractor. With the motor running and adjusting the 3pt from the rear can startle one when the PTO kicks in.

I don't have a tiller, only a rotary cutter, are you saying that the tiller is low enough mass that it is OK to start it up with the RPM's up? Maybe something like the new DR. 3pt string trimmer would be OK as it has very low mass to get started.

Sawworcs · Oct 5, 2013

I love the auto pto for tilling as it saves a ton of time turning the pto switch on and off when I lift up the tiller. I never use the auto pto with the brush hog but I think it would work great if you remember to idle down before lowering the three point. The idea of the auto pto is for the operator to not have to push as many buttons/ levers and keep on working. A great feature if IMO.

k0ua · Oct 5, 2013

Perhaps we maligned this feature a bit too hastily, it appears some users are enjoying the feature. I sure don't have any use for it, but it appears others do.

James K0UA

IslandTractor · Oct 5, 2013

Sawworcs said:
I love the auto pto for tilling as it saves a ton of time turning the pto switch on and off when I lift up the tiller. I never use the auto pto with the brush hog but I think it would work great if you remember to idle down before lowering the three point. The idea of the auto pto is for the operator to not have to push as many buttons/ levers and keep on working. A great feature if IMO.

Why do you turn the PTO off when turning while tilling? I leave it running and just raise the tiller at the end of a row with 3pt controls then drop it again after turning.

gunmonkeyintl · Oct 5, 2013

My solution was to leave the implement (bush hog) running, too. I realize it is a safety concern, but there was no one for several hundred yard from where I was working.

Obviously there are some good applications for it, I just think that it presents at least as many potential problems as it solves. For example, consider it together with the rear PTO lever. I'm surprised the safety engineers let that feature set out the door. I would not be surprised to find out that auto-PTO is the reason that other manufacturers have not copied Kioti's rear lever yet.

k0ua · Oct 5, 2013

gunmonkeyintl said:
My solution was to leave the implement (bush hog) running, too. I realize it is a safety concern, but there was no one for several hundred yard from where I was working.

Obviously there are some good applications for it, I just think that it presents at least as many potential problems as it solves. For example, consider it together with the rear PTO lever. I'm surprised the safety engineers let that feature set out the door. I would not be surprised to find out that auto-PTO is the reason that other manufacturers have not copied Kioti's rear lever yet.

Well Kioti doesn't seem to go overboard with the safety interlock stuff. You can even stand up out of the seat and press the hydro pedal to see the tips of your forks going into a pallet

Can't do that with a Kubota. yeah the rear three point is dangerous, but only if you are careless.

IslandTractor · Oct 5, 2013

k0ua said:
Well Kioti doesn't seem to go overboard with the safety interlock stuff. You can even stand up out of the seat and press the hydro pedal to see the tips of your forks going into a pallet Can't do that with a Kubota. yeah the rear three point is dangerous, but only if you are careless.

I do worse than that. I can stand next to the tractor and operate the HST with my hand while lining up an implement. Very useful for hooking up the backhoe.