I dont understand my PTO and how it is supposed to work...

[Texwing]

Hi I just brought home a year 2000 JD 4500 with a PTO switch on the dash, collar shift tranny. I also read that it has some sort of PTO brake on it. I bought this to cut hay with and want to figure out how this PTO works. My old new holland baler has a huge flywheel on it, and I usually feather the clutch to get it started, and when I disengage the PTO it does not need to be "braked" to stop, it needs to just gently wind down. I have read the operators manual and its very vague, just wind up the engine to 520 pto rpm and pull the PTO switch! that does not seem right unless i am missing something big? What is the reality? would an over running clutch help? thanks in advance for help

 

[k0ua]

Well here are my thoughts. Do not wind up the engine and pull the PTO switch. Run the engine as low of an rpm as it will engage without killing the engine. You may have to experiment with this some. An overrunning clutch would help in the spindown phase.

 

[beenthere]

Running a baler with this PTO clutch just may not be what the 4500 was designed to do. Whether it is worth the risk to experiment with it, I don't know the answer. You may get enough experience to decide that when using the hay cutter.
My 4300 has a lever to engage the PTO, that I can feather to engage, and put in neutral to let it coast to a stop or put in the brake position to stop the PTO more quickly. An over-running clutch may be the answer for letting the baler flywheel wind down to a stop.

 

[buickanddeere]

John Deere 4500
1998 - 2000 4000 Compact Series
Compact Utility tractor
Previous model: John Deere 970
Next model: John Deere 4510
Larger: John Deere 4600
Smaller: John Deere 4400
Production:
Manufacturer: John Deere
Original price (USD): $18,000 (2000)
John Deere 4500 Engine:
Yanmar 2.0L 4-cyl diesel
Fuel: 12.5 gal [47.3 L]
Hydraulic system: 6.8 gal [25.7 L]
Front axle: 8.4 qts [7.9 L]
3-Point Hitch:
Rear Type: I
Rear lift (at 24"/610mm): 2,500 lbs [1134 kg]
Power Take-off (PTO):
Rear PTO: independent
Rear RPM: 540
Mid PTO: independent
Mid RPM: 2100
Dimensions & Tires:
Wheelbase: 71.5 inches [181 cm]
Weight: 3,450 lbs [1564 kg]
Front tire: 6.00-16
Rear tire: 13.6-24
John Deere 4500 attachments:
4500 Serial Numbers:
Location: Serial number plate on front-right tractor frame, above front wheel.
1998: 150000
1999: 250001
2000: 350001
2001: 450001
John Deere 4500 Power:
Engine (gross): 39 hp [29.1 kW]
Engine (net): 37 hp [27.6 kW]
PTO (claimed): 33 hp [24.6 kW]
Mechanical:
Chassis: 4x2 2WD
4x4 MFWD 4WD (optional)
Differential lock: mechanical
Steering: power
Brakes: wet disc
Cab: Two-post ROPS.
Hydraulics:
Type: open center
Capacity: 6.8 gal [25.7 L]
Pressure: 2500 psi [172.4 bar]
Valves: 3 optional
Pump flow: 9.9 gpm [37.5 lpm]
Total flow: 14.7 gpm [55.6 lpm]
Steering flow: 4.8 gpm [18.2 lpm]
Electrical:
Ground: negative
Charging system: alternator
Charging amps: 40
Battery:
Number: 1
Cold-cranking amps: 650
Volts: 12

 

[Texwing]

Well here are my thoughts. Do not wind up the engine and pull the PTO switch. Run the engine as low of an rpm as it will engage without killing the engine. You may have to experiment with this some. An overrunning clutch would help in the spindown phase.

Ok I am missing something here, Because i have a 6 ft Bush Hog rotary cutter that also has a great mass of spinning weight, and if this 4500 is not designed to run a brush hog, well something is terribly wrong. Thanks for the specs, i see it is a Independant vs live PTO, but i thought that was an ok thing. You think this is some lawyer deal where you fall off the tractor and the pto hits the brakes so you cant run over yourself? I am hoping to find it only brakes in certain safety situations, but still does not explain why manual says to rev her up and hit the pto button unless brake thing slips lke a clutch...thanks for the help

 

[beenthere]

Separate the discussion to either the brush hog or the baler. I think it will handle your brush hog just fine.

 

[pmsmechanic]

New Holland balers already have an overrunning clutch built into the pto drive line. It's right next to the flywheel.

Your tractor will have no problems running the baler

 

[Sawyer Rob]

The big question is, how long will the pto take the pounding of a baler??? The pto drive line in many compacts isn't built to take that kind of pounding...

As for engaging the pto, I agree with using just enough rpm to keep from stalling the tractor and engage the pto...

As for the pto brake, idle the tractor down before shutting the pto off...

SR

 

[Texwing]

The big question is, how long will the pto take the pounding of a baler??? The pto drive line in many compacts isn't built to take that kind of pounding...

As for engaging the pto, I agree with using just enough rpm to keep from stalling the tractor and engage the pto...

As for the pto brake, idle the tractor down before shutting the pto off...

SR

Well I am running the baler now with exactly the same size Kubota HST3710, and It seems really pretty smooth and non destructive to the tractor, but I will pay more attention on that. I do go slow and run the Baler at about 2/3 of the way to 540 pto rpm, its a 1971 NH 277 and I don't push it hard, but its a piece of cake for the tractor. The big 6 ft rotary cutter actual causes me more concern for the tractor, when it it hits stuff and shears pins I figure that still has to be some shock on the PTO...

 

[buickanddeere]

A non issue and don't worry about it. Just don't redline the engine and yank the pto into operation. Also don't have the engine running so slow that it shudders as the pto engages.