Mowing What is the proper shutdown procedure for PTO rotary cutter operation Kubota L3301 ?

[s219]

I can't recall -- did Kubota do away with the clutch pedal on the L3301? I have one on my L3200, and I depress the clutch, throttle down the engine, and then wait for the implement to spin down before disengaging the PTO.

 

[buickanddeere]

is there a pto brake ?

 

[N80]

I think my L4400 has a brake. If you turn the ignition off and the rotary cutter is still spinning it will slam to a stop even if the PTO is disengaged. So I never do that.

It seems like common sense to me but on any implement with inertia I throttle down and then disengage the PTO. Mine is independent electronic/hydraulic so it is done with a lever. Clutch position is irrelevant. Now, if I'm zooming around spreading seed or fertilizer I disengage the PTO without reducing RPMs. The spreader has no inertia.

 

[buickanddeere]

Right on N80

 

[Bronco82]

Thanks for this question. I want to borrow my neighbours bush hog, and haven't hooked up a PTO driven implement yet to my B2650. I'm now led to believe, with the idle down, PTO lever to on, and then idle up and use it. When stopping, idle back down, and slide PTO lever to off.

 

[N80]

Thanks for this question. I want to borrow my neighbours bush hog, and haven't hooked up a PTO driven implement yet to my B2650. I'm now led to believe, with the idle down, PTO lever to on, and then idle up and use it. When stopping, idle back down, and slide PTO lever to off.

Correct. And if yours has a lever, try inching it forward slowly while you watch the PTO shaft. If the lever is incremental, like mine, you can start the PTO moving nice and slow with no shock load whatsoever to the implement or tractor.

 

[Gary Fowler]

If you have one of the instant on switches for the PTO, then you need to just have enough throttle to keep from stalling the tractor when you engage. This may take some experimentation to get the throttle just right. I try to do this with my electric clutch lawnmower also. It will save the clutch and belts some wear. I also like to throttle down prior to disengaging any powered equipment or stopping the engine. I don't know if it saves any wear and tear but why have WOT when you a finished cutting. Throttle back, disengage and let the engine idle for a few minutes to cool down before stopping the engine whether it be a tractor or lawnmower.

 

[Bronco82]

Correct. And if yours has a lever, try inching it forward slowly while you watch the PTO shaft. If the lever is incremental, like mine, you can start the PTO moving nice and slow with no shock load whatsoever to the implement or tractor.

Thank you much for that tidbit. Borrowed the neighbours Bush Hog and just slowly slid PTO lever forward and went pretty smooth with no abrupt movements. I was rather impressed. Five hours later had the back field back under control.

 

[Texasmark]

All my PTO starts are from idle and slowly accelerate to PTO speed giving things time to get in motion and come up to speed.

All my stops are just stop the drive at whatever engine speed at the time except for things like my drum mower that has an overrun clutch in the PTO shaft. I slowly reduce engine rpms to idle and wait a bit and then turn the PTO (electric) off to reduce the wear on the OR clutch. That PTO shaft isn't cheap and I don't want to have to replace it.

 

[oosik]

I have a big 'ol Wallenstein chipper, BX62S, with a 200# flywheel. I start at idle and slowly engage the chipper with the PTO lever. I then increase rpm's up to operational speed. To shutdown - I bring the tractor to idle and once there, I slowly disengage the chipper with the PTO lever.

This is, in fact, the way Wallenstein recommends that it be done. I would doubt there are any PTO driven implements that recommend either engagement or disengagement at anything other than idle or near idle speeds. To do otherwise places undue loads on drivelines and components.