PTO insight for new operator

[MJZ]

I've had our YM342 for a week now and looking for experience and insight on PTO operation. I'm brush mowing for now with a 72" Yanmar rotary cutter (I will run an auger later). I'm only running in the 540 position, not the 540e (not sure I will every use the 540e).

Manual says run engine RPM at 2783 for PTO to reach 540. A few observations.

• Mowing in low 2, engine sounds like it's racing. I guess that's normal?
• I don't see a PTO speed on the display. Maybe not an option on the YM342? Am I missing something? Looking at online videos looks like YM359 shows PTO speed on display.
• I was adjusting throttle to get close to the 2783 however, I've since realized that maxing out throttle puts the engine speed at about 2700.
• Do all implements run at 540?

Thanks. I appreciate your collective experience. The forums here helped me throughout the purchase process. Now, I just need to learn to run it

 

[Roadworthy]

At 2783 rpm the engine probably does sound like it's racing. The proper rpm does vary by tractor but since the proper rpm for my Kubota is about 2000. 2783 sounds high to me as my engine won't even go that high. I have no specific tach to tell me my PTO speed, I just depend on the engine tach to have it correct. The correct PTO speed is usually geared to the tractor's max power. Engage the PTO at idle then bring it up to speed, do not engage at high rpm. Depress clutch before you disengage PTO. Most, but not all, PTO equipment is designed to run at 540.

 

[oosik]

Every tractor model will be a little different based upon several factors. Right around 2150 hits 540 on my M6040.

I think I would try lowering the rpm a little and see how it cuts.

 

[scootr]

About 2150-2200 rpms is 540 PTO rpms for my tractor> I mow thin stuff at 1900-2k and kick it up if I'm getting into some tougher stuff.

 

[oosik]

My only PTO implement - Wally BX62S chipper. I run the operation at around 1850 tractor - 400 chipper. Plenty of power and the lower rpm's are a bit quieter. I'm only chipping young, green pines.

 

[RjCorazza]

...
[*]I don't see a PTO speed on the display. Maybe not an option on the YM342? Am I missing something? Looking at online videos looks like YM359 shows PTO speed on display.
[*]I was adjusting throttle to get close to the 2783 however, I've since realized that maxing out throttle puts the engine speed at about 2700.
[*]Do all implements run at 540?
[/LIST]
Thanks. I appreciate your collective experience. The forums here helped me throughout the purchase process. Now, I just need to learn to run it

Are you sure there is not a tick mark on the engine rpm display indicating pto speed? Maybe even a different color rpm mark?
Anyway, there are only a few applications where accurate pto speed is critical, like running a generator. See how your cutter operates under various conditions and pto rpm's.

 

[MJZ]

I've attached the pto specs from the manual. Am I reading it correctly? There is no mark on the tach, it's all digital. I'll try backing it down a bit. If there is no risk at running under 540, then I'll do so. I appreciate the sanity check. Let me know if you see anything in the manual that I missed.

 

[MJZ]

Oosik, off topic, I think my next purchase is chipper. I have a bunch of cedars to get rid of and burning is all subject to weather coinciding with my off days. What do you have and do you like it?

 

[MJZ]

Roadworthy, thanks for the tip to depress clutch before disengaging pto. I have not been doing that. I have been idling down.

 

[dadohead]

Nothing magical about mowing at 540 pto. That is where your published tip speed will be found. Most of my mow time is cutting thick lush 20" pasture grass to 4". It takes lots of power so I run WOT.... brushy, thinner stuff could be run slower.

Legend has it that Yanmar cutters are forged from a 1000 ancient blades in the mountains of Japan; too much for any man! My mower was welded by Bubba so...

 

[MJZ]

Nothing magical about mowing at 540 pto. That is where your published tip speed will be found. Most of my mow time is cutting thick lush 20" pasture grass to 4". It takes lots of power so I run WOT.... brushy, thinner stuff could be run slower.

Legend has it that Yanmar cutters are forged from a 1000 ancient blades in the mountains of Japan; too much for any man! My mower was welded by Bubba so...

Lol, 1000 ancient blades got nothing on Bubba

 

[EddieWalker]

I run my 12 foot batwing at 1,920 RPM to be at 540 with 70HP. I can't argue with the picture you posted of your manual, but that sure seems fast to me.

 

[MJZ]

It sounds fast too, Eddie. I think I will try the 540e setting when mowing and run at the lower RPMs per the manual. I posted the pic just to make sure I wasn't missing anything or misunderstood it. Most of what I mow isn't too thick. When I get a chipper I'll ramp it up to the 540 setting. Thanks.

 

[ptsg]

It sounds fast too, Eddie. I think I will try the 540e setting when mowing and run at the lower RPMs per the manual. I posted the pic just to make sure I wasn't missing anything or misunderstood it. Most of what I mow isn't too thick. When I get a chipper I'll ramp it up to the 540 setting. Thanks.

If you feel that it wants to bog down in 540E, change to 540. A lot of work can still be done perfectly fine in 540E.

I use 540E most of the time. Way less fuel consumption, noise, wear and tear. If I need to, I don't mind going slower just to keep in 540E.

 

[MJZ]

lots to learn. i'm gonna go with 540e next time I mow. I don't mind going slow. manual calls for RPM at 2014 in 540e. Thanks for all the input.

 

[freightboy]

If you have any implements that require a PTO speed other than 540, download the Yanmar Owner's App. It has a PTO Speed Calculator. Enter your model, which PTO selection (540/540E in this case), and desired PTO speed. It will tell you where to set the engine speed.

 

[freightboy]

Also, it is not necessary press the clutch on tractors with an independent PTO. That is a habit that has carried over from the old style live PTO and is no longer necessary.

 

[oosik]

Oosik, off topic, I think my next purchase is chipper. I have a bunch of cedars to get rid of and burning is all subject to weather coinciding with my off days. What do you have and do you like it?

MJZ - I have have had two chippers. Both - Wallenstein. BX42S was the first - now BX62S. I just looked last week. They have gone up in price so very much - I would recommend looking at other brands.

I chip because I can only burn with snow on the ground. Threat of wildfires is just too great at other times.

If I had to buy another chipper it would still be Wallenstein. Zero problems - zero repairs - just a truly superior chipper.

However - I thin my pine stands every other year. 800 to 950 or more small pines down the chute. I can't afford a half-assed chipper.

Woodland Mills receives good reviews. Also - look in the chipper threads. There are many brands.