Question about PTO Operation

[LittleBlueTractor]

Littleblue
Cost is involved.
The older gear tractors had direct drive PTO out of the tranny. Some of the "new" tractors have that same technology. And cost is involved, or people wouldn't buy the tractors that they do.

Well as I bought one of the least expensive brands on the market, I guess I shouldn't be surprised if my "value" model doesn't have the latest technology out there.

Are you saying this is a "color" thing and that higher end tractors do have a freewheeling PTO shaft?

 

[bluechip]

Typically, lower end tractors and then those with HST transmissions still have "overrunning clutches" built in, this is why on those tractors you hear a ratcheting sound if you stop the tractor with the pto spinning an implement. The S3010 has a 2 stage clutch, the PTO will freewheel if you disegage the clutch by stepping all the way down. otherwise it is connected to the engine flywheel. No big deal to shear a shear bolt, thats why they are there. Highest level is "independent" PTO meaning the PTO clutch is engaged totally separate from the drive clutch, often by solenoid controlled hydraluic clutch. On these tractors you can start and stop PT0 independently of main clutch. ON 2 stage clutch, you have to release drive clutch before you can release PTO clutch by pushing clutch further down.

 

[beenthere]

.............Are you saying this is a "color" thing and that higher end tractors do have a freewheeling PTO shaft?

I tried not to say that, and forgive me if I implied it.

 

[kpbeddin]

Typically, lower end tractors and then those with HST transmissions still have "overrunning clutches" built in, this is why on those tractors you hear a ratcheting sound if you stop the tractor with the pto spinning an implement. The S3010 has a 2 stage clutch, the PTO will freewheel if you disegage the clutch by stepping all the way down. otherwise it is connected to the engine flywheel. No big deal to shear a shear bolt, thats why they are there. Highest level is "independent" PTO meaning the PTO clutch is engaged totally separate from the drive clutch, often by solenoid controlled hydraluic clutch. On these tractors you can start and stop PT0 independently of main clutch. ON 2 stage clutch, you have to release drive clutch before you can release PTO clutch by pushing clutch further down.

Blue Chip, thanks for the informative write-up. I have an i3030 which has the independent PTO. Is this type of PTO suppose to remain engaged if the engine inadvertently shuts down?

 

[LittleBlueTractor]

Typically, lower end tractors and then those with HST transmissions still have "overrunning clutches" built in, this is why on those tractors you hear a ratcheting sound if you stop the tractor with the pto spinning an implement. The S3010 has a 2 stage clutch, the PTO will freewheel if you disegage the clutch by stepping all the way down. otherwise it is connected to the engine flywheel. No big deal to shear a shear bolt, thats why they are there. Highest level is "independent" PTO meaning the PTO clutch is engaged totally separate from the drive clutch, often by solenoid controlled hydraluic clutch. On these tractors you can start and stop PT0 independently of main clutch. ON 2 stage clutch, you have to release drive clutch before you can release PTO clutch by pushing clutch further down.

Thanks for taking the time to go into this. I've probably done about 15 hours of brushing hogging with my S3010 and pretty much have the 2-stage clutch stuff down now -- change gears and direction all the time without interfering with the PTO speed.

So here's my question: Suppose I have the transmission in neutral with the PTO engaged and running my cutter at 540 RPM. Could I cause any damage to anything if I were to then quickly push the throttle down to idle. That's not as extreme as killing the engine with the switch, but the engine should drop speed much quicker than the cutter. I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here -- just wanting to throughly understand.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Guys for about $20 you can "upgrade" to freewheeling on the PTO regardless of what stupid thing you do accidently or on purpose. Just get the little freewheeling pto shaft like I had to get for my old Yanmar that does not have a live PTO. It always freewheels down regardless of what position the gear is in, PTO engaged or not, clutched or not. They also work well for those tractors that lock or substantially limit the turning of the PTO shaft when the tractor is not running or PTO is disengaged. You can still turn the PTO shaft to align the splines rather than trying to turn the equipment. It only makes the shaft about 6" longer. Havent had any problems with my Yanmar with the one way clutch attachment installed, just have to give it a shot of grease occassionaly for the ratchet mechanism.

 

[LittleBlueTractor]

Guys for about $20 you can "upgrade" to freewheeling on the PTO regardless of what stupid thing you do accidently or on purpose. Just get the little freewheeling pto shaft like I had to get for my old Yanmar that does not have a live PTO. It always freewheels down regardless of what position the gear is in, PTO engaged or not, clutched or not. They also work well for those tractors that lock or substantially limit the turning of the PTO shaft when the tractor is not running or PTO is disengaged. You can still turn the PTO shaft to align the splines rather than trying to turn the equipment. It only makes the shaft about 6" longer. Havent had any problems with my Yanmar with the one way clutch attachment installed, just have to give it a shot of grease occassionaly for the ratchet mechanism.

Thanks Gary, I think I found what you were referring to:

over-run coupling

Now I just need to find one for $20.!:laughing:

 

[kpbeddin]

Thanks Gary, I think I found what you were referring to:

over-run coupling

Now I just need to find one for $20.!:laughing:

Thanks Gary and LittleBlue, I didn't know such a thing existed; I suspect the $20.00 was last year's price.

 

[rocknrod]

OVER RIDING CLUTCH - Agri Supply

 

[kpbeddin]

I can't think of a reason to not own one of these; especially when using a rotary mower. It seems that even lowering the RPMs too quickly would cause the residual inertia to create unwanted stress in the driveline. Time to go shopping.