Independent PTO or gear driven

   / Independent PTO or gear driven #1  

fishheadbob

Platinum Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2014
Messages
647
Location
western ny
Tractor
New holland boomer 40 NH 3930 Deere 2320
Been shopping for a replacement tractor and have my choices narrowed to 3, all of them gear transmissions. Two of them have independent PTOs where you basically throw the lever or push the button for the PTO to engage, the other one has a gear driven PTO where you throw the lever and the PTO works when the clutch is released. All 3 candidates have their pros and cons which of course are factors. My current tractors have independent PTOs and I've always been fine with that. Maybe my first tractor 50 years ago had a transmission type setup, I can't recall having any issues with it but that was a long time ago. Breaking a shear bolt isn't an issue as I've been good about not engaging at high torque, and breaking a shear bolt isn't the end of the world.
Your thoughts and experiences please.
 
   / Independent PTO or gear driven #2  
I'd pick IPTO whenever possible.
I run both Live PTO and Independent PTO tractors for PTO work, Live works plenty fine as long as you do not want to ENGAGE the pto while moving (two stage clutch tractor). I have run both live and IPTO on manure spreader, IPTO wins every time, no need to stop to put PTO in gear.

What models are you looking at? Might be other factors over PTO type that are bigger deals.
 
   / Independent PTO or gear driven #3  
The electric over hydraulic PTOs will have a switch to choose between Auto and Manual.

Manual means it's always engaged once you flipped the PTO switch On.

Auto, on gear tractors, will stop the PTO once the lift arms are at max height and once you press the clutch. On HST tractors, it will only stop once the arms are up.

To me, it's a really nice system. I use Auto with the tiller, it turns off one I lift the 3pt at the end of the row, then I turn around and just lower the implement and off I go.

I don't use Auto with high momentum implements like a mower because this type of PTO have a spring actuated brake. Every time it turns off, will apply the brake and it just seems unnecessary wear to me.
 
   / Independent PTO or gear driven #4  
Been shopping for a replacement tractor and have my choices narrowed to 3, all of them gear transmissions. Two of them have independent PTOs where you basically throw the lever or push the button for the PTO to engage, the other one has a gear driven PTO where you throw the lever and the PTO works when the clutch is released. All 3 candidates have their pros and cons which of course are factors. My current tractors have independent PTOs and I've always been fine with that. Maybe my first tractor 50 years ago had a transmission type setup, I can't recall having any issues with it but that was a long time ago. Breaking a shear bolt isn't an issue as I've been good about not engaging at high torque, and breaking a shear bolt isn't the end of the world.
Your thoughts and experiences please.
The Independent is probably the best bet hands down. On the other one you listed it depends.

There are 2 other "geared tranny" type PTOs: The "Tranny" driven where there is only one clutch disc and the PTO and ground speed engage silmultaneously.....this is a PIA and avoid it at all costs especially when mowing.....BTDT

The other type clutch operated is called "Live PTO" whereby the clutch consists of 2 discs, one for ground drive and the other for the PTO. In this type, clutch pedal all the way down disengages both drives. As you release the clutch pedal, approximately half way up, the PTO clutch engages the PTO and it starts spinning....neat your implement is running while the tractor is still stopped. As you continue to release the clutch the ground drive clutch engages and the tractor starts moving.....this system is excellent for long stretches of post hole digging and I prefer it over the Independent. For mowing, Independent preferred, Live #2 choice, Tranny forget it.
 
   / Independent PTO or gear driven #5  
When running this stump grinder, live pto is the only way...
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