HC48 Hydrocutter

[Daniel L. Banzhoff]

I run a hydrocutter behind a Case 446 Demonstrator with a Briggs and Straton 18 hp Vangard. The J17 pto is as ancient as the tractor. I get to much vibration unless I leave the Pto valve in gear when I start. I've replaced the bearings which didn't seem to be necessary. Is there anything I can do? The orginal Pto was floor mounted.
 

[Tom Arnold]

No Case ever had the hydraulic PTO bolted to the area between the seat tower and the dash tower back in the early 70's. They were all mounted on a bracket that was bolted to the left side of the tractor behind the Operator's seat.

I am trying to understand your post. Are you able to use the tractor with no issues if the HydraCutter is removed from the tractor? It sounds to me like your vibration complaint has to do with the mower and has nothing to do with the PTO or the basic tractor.

These mowers use swinging blades that are susceptible to damage. A bent blade will cause vibration. More information please.
 

[Daniel L. Banzhoff]

I bought the hydrocutter from one guy and the fender mounted PTO from another. The tractor's fine, the hydrocutter runs fine once I get it started. What I'm trying to do is stop the blades from making a big bang. The blades are not bent and are balanced. I guess I'll have to live with it. Thanks
 

[Case Nutty 1660]

with the detent in the pto valve yes it will be "instant" on/off, my Hydra cutter book recomends enguaging/disenguaging at very low idle, as long as you make sure everthing is clear of the blades I can not see what it hurts to start the engine with pto in to make a slow start cnt
 

[Ken Combs]

It sounds to me like you are trying to minimize the noise and vibration when the PTO is first engaged. Not much you can do except keep the engine speed down when engaging the mower.

The noise and vibration is likely due to the folding/swinging blade design. They are way out of balance when at rest with the blades partially folded. Once they reach enough rpm to have centrifugal force swing them out, all's well.