What RPM's do you run at when using PTO?

_RaT_ · Mar 17, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

Yes, its how I did my International. I would run the engine at approximately 1100 RPM to get 540 RPM off the 1000 RPM PTO. Thats practically idling and whats better was it could pull my 84" mower and not even hesitate.

Bob_Young · Mar 18, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

I treat 540 PTO RPM as a 'Redline' RPM. Anything less is OK if it does the job.

My two Fords turn 540 PTO RPM when the tach says 1800 engine RPM. I've never run them that hard, either bush-hogging, baling or running the haybine. At most the engine's turning 1500RPM which translates to 450RPM. Never a problem. It may explain why my old stuff seems to hold together for years. If it starts plugging up, it's time to drop down a gear.

The old Johnny Poppers I cut my teeth on never had tachs, nor does my JD40. How were you supposed to tell when the 'magical' 540RPM was reached? The question is academic. You ran it up until the implement began to sound like it was beating itself to death and then backed it off until it ran smooth. It worked then and it still works.

I don't need no stinking tach /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Bob

ksmmoto · Mar 18, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

I run my Kubota L3430 at 2750 for pto work. That shows about 560 or so with no load. When I am moving and cutting or tilling it drops to around 2550 and 540. The noise is not bad at all. My riding mower is worse.

Loader work I run about 1800 to 2200, gets too jerky much higher. Backhoe I do run 2750. Post Hole Digger always at idle.

ksmmoto

_RaT_ · Mar 18, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

You and I are pretty much in the same boat. I also listen to the engine loading up as well as how suffcient and/or effcient the job is being done.

Indydirtfarmer · Mar 18, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

Those old 2 cylinder Deeres weren't considered "variable speed engines" They were intended to operate at full throttle. It wasn't until 1961, and the introduction of Deere's "New Generation of Power" did they offer a variable speed engine that could be operated at most any RPM that was suitable for the task at hand. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

sassafraspete · Mar 18, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

I'm with you Bdog...and Rat.... I like to run my Branson around 2100 -2300 on the high end. Also, sometimes I have used the 1000 pto setting and dropped my tractor RPMs down to run my tiller at close to a 540 speed but moving the tractor at a slower pace . At some point at the higher tractor rpms, your torque curve starts dropping.

creeper · Mar 18, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

I run between 2400 - 2600 rpm. If loading it up on work like thick grass etc, then I stick with 2600.

PineRidge · Mar 18, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

Rat I'm thinking that if my rig wasn't equipped with a tach for the small cost involved I would search out a tiny-tach and get it installed for peace of mind if nothing else. The difference between green and red lights on our dash when it comes to PTO speeds are minimal and the name of the game is longevity when it comes to diesels. No sense tearing them up quicker than need be.

Evasive1 · Mar 18, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

Same here. I use the 1000 PTO at around 1300 rpm all the time when bush hogging. My Century has no problems running my 6' hog doing this unless I get into some unusually thick brush.

Alan L. · Mar 18, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

I use the full PTO speed on everything except the post hole digger and of course just doing loader work. You can't go as fast mowing if your blades aren't turning as fast.

Bob_Young · Mar 18, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

You members that run full PTO RPM on your implements and have a digital PTO RPM display; how do you handle it when the going gets tough and the PTO RPM drops? Assume you're already creeping at a snail's pace and you've got the reserve power to bring RPM back up. Do you just feed more throttle to it to hold the rated RPM? How much of this is too much? What's the limit? Does anyone have experience with this leading to equipment failure?

I've run into this blowing snow with a NH TV140 and have reason to believe it's a recipe for disaster. The TV140's turbocharged, so that may be a factor.
Bob

JerryG · Mar 18, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

As long as RPMs don't go down low enough to lug the engine and the engine doesn't over heat, it is fine to give it more throttle.

_RaT_ · Mar 18, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

While I rarely run full PTO RPM, when I mow and I hear the engine load up, I just back off on the hydro pedal and I not only slow the feed rate down but take load off the engine by requiring less forward speed. As soon as it picks back up, I resume or modify my ground speed. It's all based on conditions. Wet, tall grass obviously requires more power which typically requires me to slow down.

PineRidge · Mar 18, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

I'm with Rat as I don't fiddle with throttle when it's so easy to change ground speed with the hydro pedal. This is where hydros really shine. Once the RPM's come back to normal the cruise goes back on.

AndyMA · Mar 18, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

( You members that run full PTO RPM on your implements and have a digital PTO RPM display; how do you handle it when the going gets tough and the PTO RPM drops? Assume you're already creeping at a snail's pace and you've got the reserve power to bring RPM back up. Do you just feed more throttle to it to hold the rated RPM? How much of this is too much? What's the limit? Does anyone have experience with this leading to equipment failure?

I've run into this blowing snow with a NH TV140 and have reason to believe it's a recipe for disaster. The TV140's turbocharged, so that may be a factor.
Bob )

Bob I don't believe its a receipe for disaster at all. Especially on something as strong as a TV. On my turbocharged TN75, when the going gets tough the "torque reserve" kicks in and the engine just lugs harder to maintain PTO speed. Tractor engines, especially Utility size and above are strong beasts designed to work under full load conditions day in and out. High end consumer grade compacts are also strong, but most of them aren't in the same league with a true utility or ag tractor when it comes to longevitity. In engieering school we spent quite a bit of time studing various forms of power generation (that was my speciality in school at least) and as I remember it most diesels are designed to run at what we are referrign to as PTO speed continously. In fact if you look at the technical spec sheets on the engines themselves, I believe you will fine it called High Idle Speed /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Makes you wonder just why they use the word Idle. I think you may find that the peak stresses (other than the rotational and linear friction components) are actually higher at lower rpm's on certain of the driveline components. I may be all wet, but thats how I see it.

BTW I only run rated PTO speed for all mowers and a few other implements. For mowers, it's all about "blade tip speed" -they are designed to run at a certain "blade tip speed". Snowblowers- rated PTO speed and let the governer do it's job. For most other implements I run at "what feels right" /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Andy

KiotiJohn · Mar 19, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

( In fact if you look at the technical spec sheets on the engines themselves, I believe you will fine it called High Idle Speed Makes you wonder just why they use the word Idle. )
I'm glad to see someone else comment on this as I HATE that term. To me idle is the lowest speed the engine can run, not just that it hits a certain speed and is held there. I'm sure that's what they mean, that it's held in place at a high speed, but it just grates on me when I hear that term used for anything but "low idle." LOL
John

ksmmoto · Mar 21, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

I seen lots of local farmers run both gas and diesel tractors on irrigation pumps around the clock. All running at pto speed night and day.

ksmmoto

jinman · Mar 21, 2005

Re: What RPM\'s do you run at when using PTO?

( I'm glad to see someone else comment on this as I HATE that term. To me idle is the lowest speed the engine can run, not just that it hits a certain speed and is held there. I'm sure that's what they mean, that it's held in place at a high speed, but it just grates on me when I hear that term used for anything but "low idle." )

The high/low idle terms make me uncomfortable too, but I think the reference to the rpm of the engine is the "high/low" portion of the term and "idle" represents that the engine is under no-load conditions. Most of us set the engine speed under no-load conditions and then proceed to do work while letting the governor maintain the rpm. I have as hard a time as you with that terminology, but I can see where it sorta makes sense. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif