Start engine with PTO engaged

[MX Dad]

I bought my CK 25 used. It is NOT Hst. When I put finish mower on it and tried to engage the PTO, it would grind really bad. I was completely stopped, engine at slow idle and pushed clutch in for several seconds before trying to engage PTO. One day, my dad was on tractor and started it with the PTO engaged and it stared fine. From that point on, if we want to run the PTO, we engage it first, then start the engine and so far works like a champ.

Any concerns doing it this way? I'm assuming the original owner disconnected the safety switch. Should I keep it this way?

 

[k0ua]

I bought my CK 25 used. It is NOT Hst. When I put finish mower on it and tried to engage the PTO, it would grind really bad. I was completely stopped, engine at slow idle and pushed clutch in for several seconds before trying to engage PTO. One day, my dad was on tractor and started it with the PTO engaged and it stared fine. From that point on, if we want to run the PTO, we engage it first, then start the engine and so far works like a champ.

Any concerns doing it this way? I'm assuming the original owner disconnected the safety switch. Should I keep it this way?

When you say engage the PTO, you did push the clutch in fully before engaging the PTO lever correct? And then you slowly let out on the clutch to start the pto spinning right? And if you did, and you still have this grinding problem, perhaps a clutch adjustment would be in order?.. see your manual.

 

[MX Dad]

Yes, clutch pushed all the way in, then waited a few seconds, and tried to engage PTO but the grinding was horrible and to the point where I just quit trying. There was 1 time when I got PTO engaged when engine running but the grinding was really bad. My dad shut the engine down with PTO engaged, we did whatever we needed to do, then he started it back up with PTO still engaged. I was surprised it started but also happy I dont have to go through that grinding crap again as long as it doesnt create any mechanical issues. I understand the safety part of it but honestly, I can live with it like this as I dont see ever getting in a position where it would really become a safety issue to where we get hurt. Dunno.

 

[MX Dad]

Also, forgot to add that once it does engage, there is no grinding. It only happens when trying to engage/start the PTO.

 

[newbury]

Still confused - please clarify, I don't know for sure if you have to have the clutch in to start the engine.
Do you start it with the clutch OUT and PTO engaged? Thus also starting whatever is attached. For instance with a rotary mower attached the mower would try and spin up as you started.
Or do you start it up with the clutch IN, thus nothing is really engaged until you let the clutch out. For instance with a rotary mower attached the mower would NOT try to spin up as you started.

 

[4570Man]

Unless he also disabled that safety you have to start it with the clutch in.

 

[MX Dad]

Clutch has to be in to start. So with engine not running, I push clutch in, engage the PTO, then start the engine. The engine starts and the PTO attachment starts spinning. In this case, a finish mower. When done mowing, I can disengage the PTO no problem without any grinding with the clutch in and engine running. The only grinding occurs with engine running at slow idle, clutch in, and try to engage PTO.

 

[MX Dad]

Yes, the clutch safety switch is in place and working. It wont start unless clutch is pushed in. I havent checked the seat switch yet.

 

[ritcheyvs]

Adjust clutch. Full clutch pedal should disconnect engine power from PTO. And your's ain't doin that.

Supplemental: And (oh by the way) that dragging clutch will accelerate clutch wear and clutch replacement in a tractor is not trivial or cheap.

 

[k0ua]

Adjust clutch. Full clutch pedal should disconnect engine power from PTO. And your's ain't doin that.

Yes, that clutch adjustment we spoke of in my first post. It is a relativity minor procedure... Please see your manual.