PTO Tach Reading

njrqs · Oct 18, 2001

My L1501 (L185) has a mark on the tacho at 2600rpm that says PTO1 -540.

A rookie question I know, but does this mean that at 2600rpm my PTO in first gear is doing 540rpm?

I slash (bush hog) in 2nd gear on the PTO.

Any comments on these issues would be appreciated?

Cheers

Neil from OZ.

Yukon · Oct 18, 2001

your engine rpm at 2600 is the same in first gear or second gear, the only difference is your travel speed as your gear selection controls the transmission and not the pto. Just keep the needle on your tach at that slash regardless of what gear your in and your pto will be at the proper rpm. hope this helps.

njrqs · Oct 18, 2001

Yukon

What I meant was, I have the PTO in second gear (Mine has 4 PTO gears) while slashing (bush hog).

I actually drive the tractor in various gears while slashing, but was concerned as to whether the PTO could or should be in anything but first gear.

Neil from OZ.

Chris99320 · Oct 18, 2001

Neil,

I have an L185, it has 3 PTO speeds. 1st gear (PTO gear that is) is where you should run it, thats the 540rpm output speed when the engine is doing 2600rpm. I don't remember off hand what the other 2 speeds are as far as PTO rpms, I can check my manual tonight and post it tomorrow if that helps you.

Chris

njrqs · Oct 18, 2001

Chris

That would be great if you could.

So what I suspected was correct. My neighbour slashes in second PTO gear. I'll have to ask my mechanic what he reckons about which gear to slash in.

I wonder why we have 3/4 PTO gears if it looks like 1st is the one to use?

Neil from OZ.

RobertN · Oct 18, 2001

Different implements used around the world.

My B8200 has two, 540 and I think 750. Supposedly, if you run something like a bushhog at too high of rpm, it will overheat the gearbox. It is also dangerous to have the mower blade tip speed running above spec(like if you run at hi pto speed).

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

Chris99320 · Oct 19, 2001

Neil,

Here's the PTO speeds from my L185 manual
With engine at 2430rpm
1st - 540rpm
2nd - 700rpm
3rd - 1000rpm

I think I would keep that slasher in 1st.

Chris
Washington, the Evergreen State, except where I live!

Yukon · Oct 19, 2001

I appologoze for my post as I was unaware of the confiruration of your tractor. I have a 2710 and only have one pto gear for the rear and one for the mid. again sorry. My inexperience "rookie" also shows.

Bird · Oct 19, 2001

My B7100 had two speeds; 540 and 1000. Always wanted to see what my tiller would do at 1000; just never got up enough nerve to find out./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

hayden · Oct 19, 2001

Ditto on running a 540 PTO implement faster than that, especially a mower. the centrifugal force on the rotating blades is enormous, and over reving could risk launcing one into orbit, which would be quite dangerous.