Engaging mid PTO

[BX_Scooter]

I've only had my BX2200 2 days and can't stay off the thing. Powerful little guy!

I'm wondering how hard it should be to engage the mid PTO? It's not that I have to put everything I have into pushing the lever, it just seems to move more difficult than anything else on the tractor. I'm of course being careful because it's new . . . I come to a stop using the HST, push on the brake, make sure the engine is about 3/4 throttle, lower the mower deck, and engage the PTO. (The PTO selector is on mid only)

Does this seem normal that it's very stiff to engage? Seems to push real hard at first, and then all of a sudden it's engaged. I haven't had a tractor with PTO to compare.

 

[kevinj]

Your PTO is fine but I think if you read the manual they say to throttle below 1/2 before engageing. I often set to about 1/4 to minimize shock to the driveline.

 

[BX_Scooter]

I just found that info in the manual as well. Now I'm going to take all the flack for not consulting my manual first. Ha!

I litterally read the manual front to back but it's amazing what you don't retain if you don't have a question in mind when reading.

Thanks

 

[JWE]

My PTO was hard to engage when I first got my BX. It was so hard to engage that I was concerned that I was going to bend something. I sprayed WD40 on all of the linkages and it resolved the problem for me. Mine engages very easily now.

John

 

[rmc]

Not sure if it is the correct way but I engage mine at idle.

 

[ges]

Me too...! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Hootie]

Mine was the same way when it was new. Lubing all the linkage will take care of the problem. Be sure to engage the PTO @ idle!

 

[BXMMCC]

Two things come to mind - to me, it makes sense to engage the PTO at idle speed so that the shock load is minimized - regardless of what the manual says. Second thing, today I was doing some work with the rake, and for some reason, decided to read the label below the right knob under the seat. It says something like if the PTO is hard to engage, move the PTO clutch lever, or something like that. It also told me how to shift into 4wd it that was stiff. Good luck.

 

[r0GuE]

HOLY COW!!!!

I have had my BX for 2 1/2 years and this is the first I've heard of engagin at idle...

I have always used the 3/4 rule. Everybody was leaning that way when I first heard the conversation....

Bummer...
I'll try it.

 

[sandyc]

I have always engaged and disengaged the mmm at the rpm I use for mowing. I am constantly crossing a gravel drive and or small hummocks that require that I shut off the mower. If I had to throttle down and then up each time it would be a real pain.....hopefully I haven't screwed up too much.....
Guess I will talk to the dealer tomorrow and get the real skinny!

 

[Junkman]

I wonder if this change at high engine speed is what is resulting in the MMM deck drive shaft from coming off as posted in another thread?????

 

[JWE]

Junkman... I don't think so. My PTO shaft came off and I have always engaged my PTO at 1/4 throttle.

John

 

[KRECKER]

I agree with JWE,
mine was a idle when my PTO came off. I always start my engage PTO at idle, no big deal. I also had trouble when my BX220 was new getting the PTO shifter to move. I thought I was also going to bend or break something, but dealer came out and said after a few hours it would break in and sure enough works great now. I believe that I read a thread somewhere that some folks have filed down the plastic retaining bumps where the PTO lever is, but I would not suggest doing that as after just using the lever and moving it those little bumps will wear down and PTO lever will move better.

Don

 

[BX_Scooter]

Well I guess I don't feel so bad now that everybody seems to engaged at all sorts of RPM's. I've since started to engage at about 1/4 throttle, still very stiff, but the shock of the mower deck starting is less.

I also noticed that the vinyl coating that is on the lever is torn and would kinda fold back on itself. Not on the tip but further down the lever. Looks like one of the little "nubs" tore it somehow??? I ended up trimming off the little piece, it was only about an 1/8" wide by 3/8" long. Didn't see as I had any other choice at this point. Seems to work about the same.

I'll lube the linkage and wait for her to break in! That just means more seat time.

Thanks all.

 

[sandyc]

Scooter:

The PTO engage has little plastic nubes for safety reasons as they sure aren't for operational ease. I filed them down and now when I engage my pto I just push the lever down and I am off and running. Because of my layout here for mowing and with snow blowing, I am constantly engaging and disengaging the pto and I was sick of the hassle...I am not saying you should be unsafe but you might want to consider the options to ensure smooth operations.