using a TA properly

I hear all kinds of opinions on this, just how do you use a TA the right way? I have been around them a long time, but I hear so much stuff i would like know just how its done.

others with more experience will chime in but I never use the TA going downhill. that burns them up quick. I use my TA when working in the field to get RPMs back up when the pulling gets hard. think of it as a downshift without using the clutch. I've also used my TA to slow down before turning around on the field - not sure how much wear that causes. Finally, Grandpa said never touch them in the winter after he replaced TA #2.

shift it quickly and never use it going down hill. It will pretty much last forever.

(quoted from post at 12:13:05 03/09/11) shift it quickly and never use it going down hill. It will pretty much last forever.

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N.C. is right, shift it like you mean it, both ways. You don't say what model you have, but I believe in later models, you can shift going down hill... early ones, at least through the 460-560 series and maybe later, do not shift to slow it going down hill... it will "free-wheel" and is hard on the TA.

yeah I use my to slow down at end rows, and as a powershift in the field mainly, now see about the going downhill part Ive always heard you use them while going down hill on the road to prevent losing control from freewheeling and thats what I usually do, am I understanding you correctly?

"jstalk"; stay off the clutch! Simply grasp the lever and pull it back - to engage - in a steady movement. Reverse the procedure - to disengage - the torque amplifier, using the same steady motion.

Per the Operator's Manual Mc Cormick Farmall 460, 560

[b:eaf05ab956]Note:[/b:eaf05ab956]The torque amplifier operating handle must be in the forward position under the following circumstances:
1. When it is necessary to tow or push the tractor to start the engine.

2. When operating the side-mounted belt pulley to obtain the normal belt speeds shown in the table in "Specifications."
Of coarse now you would need the manual.

[b:eaf05ab956]Caution![/b:eaf05ab956] To maintain safe control of tractor speed and to utilize the engine as a brake during downhill transport operation, the torque amplifier operating handle should be in the direct-drive (fully forward) position.

Regarding winter operation, I have read that on this board, but don't know the reasoning for it; maybe someone will chime in.

Going through the operators manual for our 1969 544 it clearly states, "Never use the torque amplier as a tool to decrease speed in a downhill situation".

i have a 1486, 1066, 856, and 686

On the early TA, it will freewheel going downhill, and that's why you don't engage it going downhill. I don't know about the later ones like you have, as the latest TA we had was on our 400.

[i:654c4848f0]"Regarding winter operation, I have read that on this board, but don't know the reasoning for it; maybe someone will chime in."[/i:654c4848f0]

I'll ring your bell.

Thick oil is the bane of the early TA. It prevents the rollers from easily sliding into place on the ramp to lock the over-running clutch. I've never had a TA problem (good TA) in cold weather except on a newly purchased 400 with tar-like gear oil.

I like to use the TA when using road gear. Starting out with TA back in 5th, and then toss it forward when you get going.

Gordo

The tractors you have all have hydraulically operated TAs. This means that in direct drive (lever forward) there is a multi-disk wet clutch (not the main clutch) that provides a locking mode for the TA reduction, this causes the entire TA to rotate as one item, no reduction. This clutch is provided pressure from the MCA pump. When the TA lever is pulled back (quickly, as though in a hurry) The pressure is released from this clutch, and a one way clutch now prevents the TA assembly from rotating backwards because it is reducing the speed of the input shaft. This one way (sprague) clutch is supplemented on yours with a second hydraulically operated multi-disk clutch. This clutch prevents the TA housing from rotating forward. This prevents free wheeling, or the tractor ground speed from going faster than the engine would drive it in TA.
The issue in that the TA is not designed to be a method of slowing down at road speeds. The second Locking TA clutch cannot stand the high load shock many times, and the engine would be forced to excess RPM if it was already wide open.
If you are in either direct, or TA there is no issue going down hill. There is no issue pulling the TA back (quickly) when going down hill pulling an implement under load in a field. The issue is that the TA locking clutch is not a brake. In any situation that would cause the tractor to speed up when the main clutch was pushed in is a situation that should keep the TA in the position it is.
Starting out in road gear with the TA back is one of its best features. Shifting to direct (quickly) when the engine reaches max rpm is slick as a whistle. Enjoy. Jim

(quoted from post at 17:45:17 03/09/11) The tractors you have all have hydraulically operated TAs. .......... Jim

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The 686 still has the planetary style TA. It is just the last version of the 656.

In light of that revelation, (thanks) That small tractor has a mechanical TA, it is directly operated by a combination of the TA lever, and the Foot clutch. The foot clutch disengages the TA direct clutch to allow shiftng when the Tractor is stopped with tension on the TA, (as when pulling something, or going up a slight hill.)
There are similar power flow descriptions, but the direct TA clutch is manual, and there is no TA locking clutch to hold the tractor back at all going down hill coasting, so do not do that wit the TA back on that tractor. Jim

If it is mechanical, shift it like you stole it! If it is hydraulic, listen to the others.

Good luck,

CT