PTO use
 

I asked this once before but I cannot find my question or any answers that might have been offered. I have to turn my PTO off and on quite a few times while mowing and was wondering if there was a correct way to do it. For instance should I reduce rpm and then do it or does that make any difference? Has anyone ever seen the proper way to switch it off and on?
Thanks:beerchug:

i read somewhere that its better to do it at a lower rpm...not sure if this matters but its how ive been doing it and mine is holding up great. i do it with my electric on the 1000 and the manual on the 102... at least in my mind its got to be easier on the clutches to grab and not slip at a lower rpm ive had 0 problems out of any of my ptos while doing this

When I was running dad's 125 or 782 I would not even think about engaging the PTO at high speeds. :biggrin2: Now that I have my own, I have the engine about 1/4 throttle then I engage the PTO. To disengage, I reduce the throttle to 1/4 then disengage it. The manual says to do so as well. My own results have shown that it'll work at any speed, but it's better to do it at a lower speed. Since I've also had to rebuild my PTO this spring and was having problems with the fiber wear button, I follow the manual's advice.

Also, when I do not have an attachment installed and I want to run the tractor, I keep the PTO in the engaged position so as to not wear out the fiber wear button.

I always throttle down before engaging. I don't feel it necessary to throttle down to disengage an electric clutch.

The PTO should be engaged at the lowest RPM at which the engine will stay running, and it should be disengaged at a low RPM as well, as the brake has a lot more energy to dissipate if it is turning faster, which will wear it out faster.