TA To use or Not to use????

WE have a 1066,966,706,450, and SMTA all with functioning TA's. We treat the TA's like a slot machine that could cost thousands of dollars in repairs with a single pull of the handle. I hear that all torques should be treated as if they are one pull away from going out. What is the ruling? Is it better to use them, or to never use them? What would be considered proper use, ie never use under a load? never use going down hill?Never use when tractor is not running?

We have an 806 and a 656, both diesels. We never baby the TA. On the 656 you'll freewheel if you use it going downhill but not the 806. We've never had trouble with them, either. Just our situation-your mileage may vary.

The TA was meant to be used only when encountering a particularly tough spot in the field. A spot where you would need to downshift if you didn't have the TA. If you feel the need to use the TA on the low side for most of the trip across the field, then you are abusing it. Choose a gear that allows you to use the TA on the high side most of the time, and pull that lever back when the going gets tough, and just as soon as you get through the tough spot, throw the lever forward again. The TA was never intended to be used as a device to slow you down, and should not be used in that manner.

Our 886 had over 24,000 hours on it when it was sold. The TA (used regularly and properly) was only replace once. Never had another one go out on any of the larger tractors (with the 4+2 transmissions). Our 656 also has 20,000+ hours - the TA went out on it in 1981 after 13 years of use (and at least 12K hours). It was run for another 10 years without the TA and my brother replaced it during an overhaul in 1992. 19 more years on it without an issue.

My 1957 Farmall 350 has only a few thousand hours - the TA is fine. Admittedly it rarely gets used - usually in road gear pulling hay wagons.

They were built to be used. No, don't use it going down hill but any other time use it. If it breaks you can stop using it then. Shift the lever firmly like you mean it and the TA will last forever.

craiggreavley, The subject of TA s is one of the most debated topics here on the Boards as any that occurs.
****School 1, Use it, Drive it, like you stole it! Keep the throttle wide open. Use the TA to Farm with in TA the same as you would in Direct! Instead of 4 speeds w/ a high/low this Theory say No I have 8 speeds.
****School 2, Use it, But only in the tight spots,.... ie run in Direct all the time then when the land get harder, and the engine loads back, Smartly snap the TA lever back into TA, get through the tight land, Shift back into Direct in one motion, With a ever so slight pause at the midway point. This was the method taught to me by MY Local Dealer, Whom I went to College with!
This theory says I have 4 speeds with a high/low trying to run in the High side (Direct) except in tight spots.
There is evidence that Both Schools work equally well. But the Issue seams to be more times than not is Keep The Clutch and "TA" Adjusted in Specifications ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!!!!
out of adjustments TA s seam to have a Death Sentence on them
I am sure I have left out some important details that other may have to fill in. Hope this helps!
Later,
John A.

Use it, as was stated. And keep it adjusted, particulatily on the mechanical operated ones. The 06' and 86' series had a hydraulic operated TA. They do not free wheel down hill. The mechanicaly operated TA's DO freewheel down hill.

I use mine as described all the time; I have (1) 560 that is a 1963, and it has never been split. Getting close, though.

If you use the TA for what it was meant for, it will last for a long time.

We have had all kinds of tractors with TA"s, IH and MM. We used them like they were supposed to be used. The worst thing you can do to them is start shifting them as soon as you start the tractor, you have to get oil slung around all of the small moving parts. another bad thing you can do is when you pull the lever back to the TA position and it starts slipping due to an out of adjusted TA , do NOT shove the TA lever back to direct drive.

Use it,

That's what it is on there for.

Allan

There is one simple rule for using the TA: NEVER pull the TA to slow down a load. Only use the TA if the load is slowing you down.

If you follow that rule, your TA last a long long time, provided it has not been abused in the past.

You always run the risk of the TA going out on you on the next pull, but you can't go through life worrying about things like that or you will never get anything done.

The engine could blow up the next time you run the tractor, and that's a whole lot more expensive to repair than a TA, yet you don't even think about starting that tractor up and going to work!!!

I see no one mentioned that the TA wears a certain amount even if you do not use it as the over running clutch is always over running when in direct drive. On the mechanical TA the direct drive dry clutch is released every time you push in the clutch so the fingers etc are always subject to wear and on the hydraulic units the direct drive clutch is released every time you push in clutch. No way you can drive the tractor with out TA getting some use all be it that it is not severe use.

I'm pretty sure it's not there for looks. Just like anything use it for what it's intended, keep up with maintenance/adjustment and it should serve you well.

TA's were meant to be used for changing the tractor's traveling speed to a lower rate, but not to BRAKE the tractor down to a slower speed. You pull the TA lever to the dog/catch position deliberately and briskly to slow the tractor's speed when it is pulling, not coasting, and you release the dog/catch and let the lever go forward freely to resume the speed to the higher rate. Simple as that....there's many reasons to reduce the speed of the tractor sometimes...I can't tell you how many situations you may encounter to need to reduce the tractor's speed.....and get the additional pulling power the tractor will have at the reduced speed, but that's what it was mainly designed to do. Shift down without having to use the clutch at all...and back up when you can resume speed...really neat!