New tractor care & operation

[Jason977]

I'll be purchasing a new JD soon (3x20, specifically), and I have some questions in use since it's so drastically different from what I'm used to driving.

PTO:
I've never used an electrically controlled PTO. Do they engage soft or hard? I believe someone suggested they engaged hard enough to shear pins in a mower.
Is it best to engage at high or low rpm?
Is it hydraulic powered, or geared to the engine?
Is brush mowing particularly rough on the PTO? I'm mostly cutting Yaupons up to ~2". I'm not too concerned about damaging the mower, but I don't want to inflict undue wear on the new tractor. I plan on using as soft of shear pins as I can without replacing too often. Perhaps I'll invest in a clutch instead.

HST:
I generally like to find ways operate my equipment in such a way that's as easy on it as possible, without too much inconvenience, of course . I've made some assumptions about "kind" HST use, assuming you want to minimize pressure and heat buildup.
-Run engine @ or just under '540 pto' mark
-use the lowest gear (range) that goes as fast as you need. In other words, it's probably better to run full tilt in low range than mid way through 2nd range if you're doing hard pulling
It also seems as though HST tractors would be very sensitive to dirty hyd fluid. Does anyone use in-line filters on remote quick-connects to keep contamination from old equipment or the connectors themselves out of their system, or is the standard filter sufficient?

Sorry for all the questions. If anyone has any questions about old Farmalls, I'll be happy to help out!

Jason

 

[nmu98]

The PTO does not engage hard at all... It can be engaged on smaller items at very low RPM. I take my brush hog up to about 1500 them pull the PTO.

On a new tractor, try not to bog the motor. Run the recomended rpms, and if your hoggin, and it gets thick, slow as to not bog down the motor.

I see no need for another filter on the hydro.... But... I would rather change the fluid more often....

 

[shot_gun]

Jason it is a modulated engagement. Meaning that it is as soft as possible with out too much slippage. If you rev it up and turn on the pto it is possible to shear pins on a drive line. Moral of the story is only use as much rpm as neccessary to start the implement. The pto clutch is what is hydraulicly powered on the tractor with gears driveing the intenal shafts. Brush mowing 2" anything is going to be tough. Make sure you by a MX5 with a slip clutch. Don't by one of those cheasy rotory cutters with a shear pins. You'll have nothing but headaches. Slip clutch is the way to go! Make sure the cltch is rebuildable also with new plates. Many company's offer a slipclutch but once it's toast you have to throw away the whole thing and get a complete clutch.

The HST is one of the most advanced in the industry. You can adjust the HST to meet you needs. Your dealer should show you how. When your running heavy loads it is good to use the two lower ranges. That is why the give you three so you can match ground speed/job/ load. The tractor has to filters on it. A sump screen and filter. This shoud take care of most contaminants. If you have any question about the oil in your implements purge the old oil first before you hook them up!!

No questions about Farmalls. Thanksfully we don't have to use them any more. 51' M and a 54' M/ta They just keep the barn from movin around.