New to using PTO

[rjfoster]

I just upgraded to a LS G3033 Hydrostatic and with this change, I now have a rotary cutter. Having moved from a 1977 Yanmar 1500D and never using the PTO on it, I am confused on how to reach the 540 PRM on the PTO to run the rotary cutter.

The G3033H has a stitch that activates the PTO- when I turn the switch to the right to engage the PTO.

Looking in the owners manual, there is a page that labeled Reference of PTO Shaft.
PTO Gear 1
PTO/Engine Speed 540/2509 rpm

My question is how do I know when I actually have 540 PRMs on the PTO?

Never using the PTO on a tractor, I would like to get a little guidance.

 

[boomer632]

Should be a "540" mark on your tachometer. Get the engine rpms to there and you will be at 540 rpms on PTO.

 

[JimRB]

Or get your tachometer up to 2500.

 

[CobyRupert]

Once you know the engine rpm that equals 540 PTO, I'm of the opinion that you should turn the PTO on when the engine is just above idle, then increase the engine rpm up to the equivalent 540 PTO speed. Then apply the load to whatever piece of equipment the PTO is turning. This wears the PTO clutch less.

 

[YardBikeBob]

Once you know the engine rpm that equals 540 PTO, I'm of the opinion that you should turn the PTO on when the engine is just above idle, then increase the engine rpm up to the equivalent 540 PTO speed.

I'll second that.

As for rotary cutters, the exact RPM is not critical. It does have to be running pretty fast as the blade tip speed of the cutter has to be fast enough to cleanly wack off the grass. However, after your first cutting, when you're not mowing down trees and bushes, and you blade is still reasonable sharp, you can probably cut at 2,000 RPM or a little more.

If you're happy with the results behind you, you can be a little kinder to the motor in front of you.

New to PTOs? They have killed a lot of farmers. Wouldn't hurt at all to have the tractor motor off when hooking up that PTO shaft.

 

[rjfoster]

Thanks for the responses..... the manual is a little vague about the subject, so I appreciate the suggestions.

I am a little OCD, so no worry about being safe with regards to the PTO. I want to be around for a while, so I am a little more careful than most. I still have years to go and drive my wife a little more crazy.

 

[jeff9366]

DEFINITELY have the tractor motor off when hooking up a PTO shaft to the tractor.

With many tractor/PTO implement combinations it is a little easier to attach the PTO shaft first, with the tractor a short distance away from the PTO implement, with the shaft extend 18" or so, giving you more room around the Three Point Hitch to mate the PTO shaft to the tractor splines.

Next, back the tractor up to the implement, to pin the implement itself on the Three Point Hitch.

 

[TripleR]

There are several old threads on this which state pretty much what you have been told. I engage and disengage at low RPM. The two tractors I use most indicate PTO speed, but some of our tractors don't have working tachometers, so I run at a speed that "feels" right and gets me a good quality cut.