Rotary Implement Startup

[Jethrow]

Just curious but what is the right way to start up a rotary implement. I've been starting flail mower, tiller and brush hog at 540 rpm. Looking at Youtube a
number of operators start the PTO at low rpm and throttle up to 540.

Opinions please.

 

[sandcastle1]

I engage at a low RPM and then throttle up to speed.

 

[JMOR]

I engage at a low RPM and then throttle up to speed.

For sure, ...why shock the whole drive train?!

 

[Destroked 450]

Engage at as low of rpm as you can without choking out the tractors engine, then increase rpm to 540

 

[Blackhole49]

Just curious but what is the right way to start up a rotary implement. I've been starting flail mower, tiller and brush hog at 540 rpm. Looking at Youtube a
number of operators start the PTO at low rpm and throttle up to 540.

Opinions please.

For me, it depends on the set up. For my clutch units (8n, F-2000 Kubota, B7100HST Kubota) they prefer lower rpm then ramp up. My electric clutch units (JD1145, BX25D Kubota) prefer high rpm start. This is for mowers (I don't run anything else) on the electric clutch.

 

[Pipestem]

For sure, ...why shock the whole drive train?!

That’s my opinion as well. Plus, on my older tractors, it’s easier to engage the PTO at a lower RPM.

 

[Steve in IL]

As others have said, start PTO at as low of an RPM as possible, where the engine will not stall. This minimizes wear on all components. Then increase speed.

Also… Before you disengage PTO, reduce engine speed to idle. This will significantly reduce wear on any PTO brake your system might have. Also, it reduces the time that the implement will coast.

 

[used red MN]

I have an opinion, my opinion is that the answers to your question should not be based on opinions. Rather they should be based on facts and knowledge of what is happening inside the machine and how it affects the parts that are being used to carry out the operation. The correct answer as some have already replied is to engage it at the lowest possible RPM at which the engine will continue to run without being “killed” (stopped turning or running because it was over powered by the load or resistance put on it) It depends how quickly you have been engaging the PTO “shock” to the driveline and implement PTO shaft are indeed a concern. My knowledge of mechanics also tells me that wear on the PTO clutch is one of the biggest items you are introducing to the machine. I know I have replied to another poster on here about this same question, I can’t find that thread now it would have more directly covered the items in the PTO and it’s clutch. However a clutch is basically a clutch. I will link another thread where I replied attempting to educate the operator about what goes on inside a clutch, read my reply 25. In that post I referenced the pile of dirt that the machine was using its energy to move. In your case equate that to dropping your tiller into the dirt and physically attempting to turn the PTO with some type of a lever/bar. Which adds an additional suggestion. The implement if at all possible should be raised and able to spin freely when it is being started or engaged. YT thread with clutch info

 

[Steve in VA]

That’s my opinion as well. Plus, on my older tractors, it’s easier to engage the PTO at a lower RPM.

Add me to that camp.

 

[super99]

Just curious but what is the right way to start up a rotary implement. I've been starting flail mower, tiller and brush hog at 540 rpm. Looking at Youtube a
number of operators start the PTO at low rpm and throttle up to 540.

Opinions please.

Then you must open the throttle wide open before you engage the clutch to start movement. Same principle.

 

[rick n ohio]

Just curious but what is the right way to start up a rotary implement. I've been starting flail mower, tiller and brush hog at 540 rpm. Looking at Youtube a
number of operators start the PTO at low rpm and throttle up to 540.

Opinions please.

I engage the pto and then let the clutch out slowly at low rpm then throttle up after it is spinning.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

Same idea with the tiller as the mower don’t start in the weeds start in the open so you don’t need all that throttle. The oldest tractors where you only have one single stage clutch for movement and pto it gets more interesting. Small increase in throttle might be needed at start. My B on the mower instead of the A is this way. Harder on the clutch. If the implement won’t spin unless you have it at pto speed to engage you might need a bigger tractor or smaller implement. Also invest in an over running clutch if you haven’t and have one of the old timers