Rotary cutter..what to expect?

[countrybumpkin]

No the indicator on the tach shows were to run the engine rpms to obtain 540 rpm on the pto. If the engine is running slower rpm then the pto will too, it’s not a direct 1:1 ratio to the engine.

 

[biggziff]

No the indicator on the tach shows were to run the engine rpms to obtain 540 rpm on the pto. If the engine is running slower rpm then the pto will too, it’s not a direct 1:1 ratio to the engine.

My tach has 2 indicators for 540. One is around 1800 RPM (540E) and the other is at 2600 RPM. I'm reading that some tractors have a 2 position PTO engagement lever. One allows the PTO to run at 540 RPMs at 1800 RPM (Economy or 540E) and the other provides 540 RPM at the PTO at 2600 RPM (more torque, less economy) My tractor has a PTO lever that is either on or off. In my case, the PTO cannot spin at 540 RPMs at both 1800 and 2600 RPM. Mine should be run at 2600 to obtain 540 RPM at the PTO.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

My tach has 2 indicators for 540. One is around 1800 RPM (540E) and the other is at 2600 RPM. I'm reading that some tractors have a 2 position PTO engagement lever. One allows the PTO to run at 540 RPMs at 1800 RPM (Economy or 540E) and the other provides 540 RPM at the PTO at 2600 RPM (more torque, less economy) My tractor has a PTO lever that is either on or off. In my case, the PTO cannot spin at 540 RPMs at both 1800 and 2600 RPM. Mine should be run at 2600 to obtain 540 RPM at the PTO.

The above is the right answer...

SR

 

[biggziff]

The above is the right answer...

SR

Thanks, Rob. Learning as I go.

 

[LouNY]

On coarse weeds that your picture shows I wouldn't be overly concerned about blades being sharp even rounded over they will cut good.
Also chopping that heavy course stuff in one pass I'd give the deck more slope getting the rear of the deck 4-6 inches higher then the front.
Also I am guessing that you have a floating hitch for the top link attachment point that will allow the wheels to stay in contact with the ground while you are mowing
and you can adjust the height of cut with your lift arms. Quite often you don't need the full 540 rpm on the pto to do a good job, that said the faster the pto is turning the faster you can mow. Running through those tall weeds keep a good eye on the radiator condition and engine temp the chaff and dander will plug up a radiator quickly some days.

 

[biggziff]

On coarse weeds that your picture shows I wouldn't be overly concerned about blades being sharp even rounded over they will cut good.
Also chopping that heavy course stuff in one pass I'd give the deck more slope getting the rear of the deck 4-6 inches higher then the front.
Also I am guessing that you have a floating hitch for the top link attachment point that will allow the wheels to stay in contact with the ground while you are mowing
and you can adjust the height of cut with your lift arms. Quite often you don't need the full 540 rpm on the pto to do a good job, that said the faster the pto is turning the faster you can mow. Running through those tall weeds keep a good eye on the radiator condition and engine temp the chaff and dander will plug up a radiator quickly some days.

Thanks for all that. Yes, I can adjust the cutter height with the PTO adjust from the driver's seat. I'd agree that more angle might help with cuttings ejection and that would likely lead to a better cut, although like you said...in stuff this high and tangley there isn't much you can do.

I did keep an eye on the temp gauge (never moved once warmed up), but had a front grille covered in grass seed when I was done! I took my big backpack blower and cleared it all away.

thanks

 

[CobyRupert]

No the indicator on the tach shows were to run the engine rpms to obtain 540 rpm on the pto. If the engine is running slower rpm then the pto will too, it痴 not a direct 1:1 ratio to the engine.

It's a direct 2600:540 (or 4.814:1) engine-to-pto rpm ratio.

So in OP's picture where he's running at 2400 rpms, pto is turning 498 rpms instead of 540, basically 7.5% slower. Not a big whoop.

OP could just travel 7.5% (0.2 mph) slower than his usual 3 mph for the mower and pto to experience the equivalent torque (and equivalent blade revolutions per linear foot travel) as it would at 540 rpm .
Adjusting speed .2 mph can be tricky.

 

[biggziff]

It's a direct 2600:540 (or 4.814:1) engine-to-pto rpm ratio.

So in OP's picture where he's running at 2400 rpms, pto is turning 498 rpms instead of 540, basically 7.5% slower. Not a big whoop.

OP could just travel 7.5% (0.2 mph) slower than his 3mph for the mower and pto to experiences equivalent torque as 540 rpm (and equivalent blade revolutions per linear foot travel).
Adjusting speed .2 mph can be tricky.

Maybe I'll install an Arduino controlled GPS auto pilot!

 

[zzvyb6]

Don't forget to clean out the radiator screen(s) after that big/tall of a cut. Seeds, bugs, and other stuff is usually sucked in and that will eventually cause overheating.

I usually cut twice: 1st day is high off the ground, a few days later you chop it to the ground. If the field was ever hayed out, look for old bale twines wrapped around the spindle(s). They reduce the cutting effectiveness.

 

[countrybumpkin]

It's a direct 2600:540 (or 4.814:1) engine-to-pto rpm ratio.

So in OP's picture where he's running at 2400 rpms, pto is turning 498 rpms instead of 540, basically 7.5% slower. Not a big whoop.

OP could just travel 7.5% (0.2 mph) slower than his usual 3 mph for the mower and pto to experience the equivalent torque (and equivalent blade revolutions per linear foot travel) as it would at 540 rpm .
Adjusting speed .2 mph can be tricky.

Well your forgetting the gear box ratio too. Geez