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How To Operate a T/A

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City-Boy McCoy

11-14-2006 18:06:33




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Being a "city-boy" and all, I was wondering how you operate a T/A. Say you got a Farmall 400:

When the tractor starts to bog, do you just grab the lever and give it a snatch, or do you stab the clutch pedal also, or what? Likewise, what do you do when you want to go back to the high side?

I see the big ol' handle on the left by the clutch, but have never heard it explained how you operate it properly so as to do no harm to the T/A.

mike

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Jonathon Johnson

11-15-2006 19:46:18




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 Re: How To Operate a T/A in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-14-2006 18:06:33  
my father has a Super MTA, it has the opitional powersteering. ive noticed (the Hard Way) that u have to have the TA in when u go down hill. my father was ahead of me on a Forklift (allis Chalmers Forklift) and i was on the MTA hauling a trailer with a Air Conditioner (a huge ac) along with a motor tires and panals. well i started to go down hill when all of a sudden the tractor started to pick up speed and pick up speed it did!. well my father looked back and i never saw that Allis Chalmers move so fast. i finally got to the bottom of the hill and well my father wasnt happy but then he realised he forgot to tell me about the TA. and i learned a vaulble lesson that day. i learned how to not operate a TA downhill.

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Aces

11-15-2006 09:37:30




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 Re: How To Operate a T/A in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-14-2006 18:06:33  
City boy you got good advise here except for one thing. Sey the tractor will free wheel in TA, but I believe it is not shifting up after the free wheeling starts that blows the TA, but rather pulling the ta back going down hill with a big load that blows the TA sky high, I saw this and know it happens.



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Janicholson

11-15-2006 11:23:42




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 Re: How To Operate a T/A in reply to Aces, 11-15-2006 09:37:30  
I agree, it is the overspeeding of the unit from traveling faster than it can stand to operate with it back. If you hear it beginning to sound like a jet taking off, it is bad, brake the tractor down to a reasonable speed for that gear. JimN



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Al L. in Wisc.

11-15-2006 03:49:06




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 Re: How To Operate a T/A in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-14-2006 18:06:33  
City-Boy McCoy - yes, great advice. I would also suggest acquiring a tractor manual(s). Reprints are available for tractors and implements. Me, I like to search out original manuals in good condition. Gots me a Farmall 340 with Dealer/District Office/Owners Delivery Reports still attached and not filled out. Just some poop on it, probably sparrow or pigeon. Makes for good library reading :^).

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K.B.-826

11-14-2006 19:28:44




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 Re: How To Operate a T/A in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-14-2006 18:06:33  
There are two types of TA's. The mechanical TA is used in the tractors with the 5-speed transmission, from the Super MTA all of the way up to the 686 which was last built in 1981. The hydraulic TA is used in the tractors with the 3 or 4 speed/high-low-reverse range transmission, from the 706 all of the way up to the 6788. On all tractors, when the lever is ahead, you are in direct drive. When the lever is pulled back, you are in TA. With any TA-equipped tractor, the main engine clutch is in no way used while shifting the TA. That is the main point of the TA- to change speed or increase pulling power without declutching/stopping or otherwise interupting the flow of power from the engine to the wheels. Just grab the lever and shift. With both TA's, I think it is best to move the lever as fast as you possibly can, to avoid slippage. With any TA, proper linkage adjustment goes a long way towards how long the unit will last. Adjustments are very critical and must be followed to the letter. Changing the transmission fluid at the specified interval is also very important, especially with the hydraulic TA. Remember, the mechanical TA will provide no engine braking when the lever is back (in the TA position). This means that the tractor will freewheel downhill. If this should ever happen to you, try your best to bring the tractor to a stop with the brakes. If you gain too much speed freewheeling and throw the lever ahead into the direct drive position, the unit will self-destruct. With the hydraulic TA, a brake pack is used to keep the tractor from freewheeling in the TA position. If you try to use the hydraulic TA as an engine brake, such as flying in off of the road with a loaded wagon and pulling the TA lever back to slow down, you will fry the brake pack. Another common misunderstanding is that the TA will last forever if you never use it. This is not true, since flat spots will wear into the overrunning clutch rollers if you do so, then it will slip in the TA position if someone decides they want to use it. Use it or lose it.

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Dr.EVIL

11-15-2006 09:30:02




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 Re: How To Operate a T/A in reply to K.B.-826, 11-14-2006 19:28:44  
KB - Good post....Only thing I'd like to mention is the fact the 686/H86 production was completed during the July shutdown at FARMALL in 1980. So no 686/H86's built after that time. The 786 was released in the late summer or fall of '80 as it's replacement. 686/H86 production was moved off the main asembly line sometime around 1978 into the small assembly area way down at the west end of the plant where the 4100 series were built for many years and that area was needed for shipping space and parts room. Those 2+2's took up a LOT more room than the 86-series.

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City-Boy McCoy

11-14-2006 20:17:08




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 Re: How To Operate a T/A in reply to K.B.-826, 11-14-2006 19:28:44  
Remarkable information. I'm glad I asked for this. Thanks.
mike



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Janicholson

11-14-2006 18:58:33




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 Re: How To Operate a T/A in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-14-2006 18:06:33  
TAs on SMTA and into the 50 series and higher that have a direct mechanical link on the side of the Torque tube are substantially different than hydraulic TAs.

Never use the clutch pedal with any TA, it has its own clutches.

The mechanical TAs have a freewheeling low range and should not be used down hill coasting ever.

They should never be moved deliberately or slowly, they should be moved from low to high (direct) with a rapid stroke of the lever (less than 1/2 second)

They should be put into low range (TA) with a swift pull of the lever, no hesitation.

This action assures the longest life of the friction materials, and is expected of the operator. All other methods shorten the system's life and heat parts beyond acceptable values.

The hydraulic actuated TAs do have breaking power when engaged, but they should not be used for brakes. That is the brake's job.

Out 350U has the original TA and is 50 years old this spring. It has two rebuilds on the engine, and none on the TA, its clutch, ot the master clutch. I believe we treat it correctly. JimN

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City-Boy McCoy

11-14-2006 19:18:26




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 Re: How To Operate a T/A in reply to Janicholson, 11-14-2006 18:58:33  
Excellently explained. Thanks.
mike



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Will Sick

11-14-2006 18:57:16




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 Re: How To Operate a T/A in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-14-2006 18:06:33  
When the tractor pulls down under a load you pull th TA back firmly. Do not ease it back. When the load is reduced you move the lever forward in a quick firm motion. Do not ease it ahead. Yes th older ones will free wheel or coast when the TA is on the low side so don't throw the lever ahead when rolling fast or you will tear out the TA. Stop the tractor with the brakes and then move the lever ahead.

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grant md

11-14-2006 18:46:02




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 Re: How To Operate a T/A in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-14-2006 18:06:33  
on the older ta tractors up to the 06 series, the tractor will freewheel down a hill with the ta pulled back. they corrected this starting with the 06 series. the mta, 300 400 340 460 560 will coast down the hill with the ta pulled back. dont do that, its not safe. there is no engine braking force at all.



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Ben Shipley

11-14-2006 18:11:18




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 Re: How To Operate a T/A in reply to City-Boy McCoy, 11-14-2006 18:06:33  
Mike

On newer tractors, you can go ahead and pull back the T/A without clutching, I assume it is the same on the older ones as well. When you are ready for the high side, go ahead and ease it forward and away you go. In my experience, DO NOT use the T/A to hold you back going down hill. Leave it in the high side and drop a gear. Pulling it back to the low side to hold back will tear it out sooner or later.

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City-boy McCoy

11-14-2006 19:19:28




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 Re: How To Operate a T/A in reply to Ben Shipley, 11-14-2006 18:11:18  
Thanks, boys. This is great information. I appreciate it.
mike



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