PTO Question

[demote]

I been wondering, when using my brush hog, it is better to engage the pto with it up to speed or is it better to engage it at low speed and bring it up to proper speed or does it make much difference?
Thanks in advance,
Danny

 

[AndyMA]

It's recommended to engage PTO at slow speed and then bring it up to rated PTO speed to minimize shock load on driveline.

Andy

 

[EricL]

I agree with starting it at low rpms and then bringing it up to speed, mainly to reduce shock as Andy stated and that is what my manual states also.

Better safe than sorry. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[RoyJackson]

Low RPM as you initially engage the pto and have your foot on the throttle (or hand, if you've a hand throttle) to give it some revs if it bogs down.
By low RPM, I talking 1200 or so.

Per the Land Pride manual, once engaged, let it run at lower RPM for 5-10 seconds to until the blades extend. Then increase the speed smoothly.

Do not engage the PTO at PTO RPM. Hard on the tractor and the implement...

 

[KiotiJohn]

If you don't want to jolt the PTO, the gearbox and the tractor, engage at lower speeds, easing the clutch out until it's running fully. Then increase your speed to PTO rated speed.
Over time, engaging at PTO speeds will take it's toll, at least on the gear box of the mower. John

 

[jinman]

Not only do I agree with everyone who said to engage slowly at low speed, that's also the best way to disengage the PTO if you don't have a freewheeling overrun. My tractor has a PTO brake that engages when the lever is moved to OFF. Some tractors have been damaged by repeated disengagement at high PTO speeds. That puts a tremendous torque on the brake, especially if you have a rotary cutter greater than 48" wide.

You can tell if your Mahindra has a PTO brake by disengaging the PTO with the rotary cutter attached. If the rotary cutter just keeps on spinning and slows down of it's own accord, then you don't have a brake. If it slows and stops in less than 10 seconds, you probably have a brake. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Soundguy]

For those with independent pto.. and not a 2-stage clutch, lowering the pto rpm and then engaging / disengaging is also easier. 2- stage clutch also lets you get a little bit of slip if you need it.

Soundguy

 

[demote]

Jinman, I didn't know about the pto brake, I'll have to check for that. My Mahindra is the 2810HST and switchable between manual and automatic but I think it may be best to use mostly the manual position in the short run rather than the constant engaging and disengaging in auto position.
Danny

 

[Soundguy]

Does that 2810 have that electric pto solenoid engagement?

Soundguy

 

[demote]

My guess is yes. It has a center-off switch with left and right being auto and manual with a pushbutton above it for off/on. It also has two levers beside the seat for rear and mid-pto on/off.