TA Use-do don't?

Dumb question, but what is the purpose/how should a TA be used? and, maybe more importantly, how/when should they NOT be used? Thanks!

The TA or "Torque Amplifier" allows for the operator to choose between "high" or "low" gears in essence. When the operator needed more torque while doing field work they would pull back on the handle engaging the TA and gaining more torque to handle the conditions. There are guys on here who can explain exactly how the TA works mechanically much better than I can. As far as how it should be used, I was told that if your going to pull the TA pull it like a man, don't pull it nice and easy, that wears the TA. If I'm right, your other post said something about a 460, we have a 560 and rarely ever use the TA. Pulling wagons, small spreaders, mowers, generally don't need the TA engaged, maybe if you got into some mud while spreading manure, but like I said we generally don't use the TA on the 560. Now, the 1066 and 1466 we do use them, those are primarily used for spreading (large spreader), plowing, disking, and planting and when we hit a wet spot or a steep incline the TA does a good job of keeping the tractor moving long enough for use to get back onto decent ground. Once there we disengage the TA and keep on trucking. Personally, if you don't need to use it, don't. It's an expensive part to have to fix and the less you use it the longer it will work for you when you DO need it. I know many people who have burnt up their TA and simply haven't fixed it, they just keep the tractor in the "higher" gears. ~Anthony

As an operator with 10s of thousands of hours on TA tractors, here goes:
Use it all the time. It was made to be used all the time. It is switched between Direct (handle forward) to TA by jerking the lever rearward as fast as you can to the latch point. (never ever pull it tenderly)
Put into direct drive the same way. Pull back relesing the pawl with the flipper, and stroke that lever to its forward stop like you were late for a 1000 dollar gift card to your favorite hardware store. It cannot be moved too fast.
The Big tractors with hydraulic TA are self shifting on lever movement, but swift movement is still recomended.
The mechanical TA on the early and smaller tractors (H and M frame size) is a planetary gear set with a sprague (one way) clutch that holds the TA frame from turning backwards in TA reduction.
The front of the TA frame and gears is equipped with a small disk type clutch that locks the reduction gears into a solid block so the entire assembly rotates. This is direct drive. The one way clutch rotates in its allowed direction when the lever is forward.
The large frame tractors TA system is also equipped with a direct clutch, and a sprague clutch. Its gears are not planetary, but accomplish the same thing (about a 30% gear reduction). The big frame tractors also have a locking clutch in tandem with the sprague. This locking clutch is not designed to do anything but prevent "free wheeling" or coasting down hills out of control.
They are not bullet proof, nothing is. Our 350U has the original TA, TA clutch, and TA one way clutch. It has been used more than the shifter lever. The tractor is on its third engine overhaul. and has been operated as the big tractor on 250 acres plowing with 3-14 mounted FH plow. Jim

In my opinion having a shift-on-the-go capability makes an already useful tractor even more handy. Baler can't take in the hay quite quick enough - grab the handle, yank back, and keep on going. Bogging down in a tough spot when working ground - same thing, a lower gear is just a lever pull away.

One thing I have read on this site before is to never engage the high range on a mechanical TA when coasting down a hill. The low side is a free-wheel on the early machines (such as my 350) so you always want to be in high when approaching a downhill. If you find yourself picking up speed while in low range use the brakes to slow down, don't engage high until the engine picks up the load.

Don't use it as a brake in road gear.

Anthony, I pretty much agree with you that if you don't need it, don't use it. My dad bought a used 400 in 1968 or so and the TA still works good. But we mostly used the TA when baling to slow down in heavy hay. But for field work, like plowing with a 3-bottom fast-hitch plow, I pretty much just ran in 2nd gear and never used the TA. And I almost always use the TA when backing to hitch up to an implement. Al

I have a 1964 International 504 with a TA. This tractor has been in the family since new. The TA is used frequently and has never needed repair. This tractor is a loader tractor however, and is almost never used to pull implements. It has done a lot of square baling and the TA is very helpful for that.

I agree with Janicholson--use it all of the time, that's what it is there for.

When it comes to Red tractors I go with Jim every time. When I say don't use it I'm referring to people in my position, I don't have the cash to replace the antique tractors TA (our 560, 400) and after 60+ years of working the TA they are a bit weak so we conserve them and don't over use them so we have it when we need it. As far as the farm, the farm account pays for the rebuilds on the larger tractors so we use those a lot, that's what they are for, it's just the farm can't afford to replace parts on our older tractors so I should have prefaced "We Conserve" our TA, but if it works and you need it, pull that handle!! ~Anthony

I use my Farmall 300's TA on a shredder. It's sure nice to slow down and torque up when getting into a tough patch of brush. I USE my equipment as needed. If and when my TA fails I'll fix it. I think fixing old tractors is far cheaper than new. In my case I take care 14 acres and have a big garden.

My equipment that I need to make money with are newer.

The TA is a wear item weather you use it or not. Every time you push the clutch on a mechanical planetary TA you are releasing the TA direct drive clutch. This wears the throw out bearing, clutch fingers etc. The over running clutch is constantly riding on the edges of the rollers or sprags when in direct drive. Not a lot of pressure but they still eventually wear out. Use the Ta, that is what it is for. It is just like any other clutch. If you slip the heck out of it when engaging or slam it into direct drive under a heavy load it stress other components. What a lot of guys do no realize is the hydraulic TA's do have a cushioning effect built into the drive selector poppet valve so even the electric over hydraulic ones still give a little bit of cushion even if it does not feel like it.

> The TA is a wear item weather you use it or not.
> Every time you push the clutch on a mechanical
> planetary TA you are releasing the TA direct
> drive clutch. This wears the throw out bearing,
> clutch fingers etc.

I think that the number one cause of wear on the TA clutch is failure to keep it properly adjusted. Don"t ignore the TA when you adjust the engine clutch linkage just because you never use it. If that throwout bearing goes it can ruin your whole day. The TA inspection port cover on my 544 has a dent in it. From the inside.

the 504 is a different tractor. the T.A.'s in the super w6's up to the 460's and 560's and 660's were not intended to be used steady. this is right from international harvester.
international designed the ta for use only for tough spots and for short time. there is no way that you will plow day after day with the ta engaged that it will not fail. and it pretty much shifts its self back into direct drive as soon as the latch is released. I sure don't see how you can make it go faster into direct, as everyone is saying to shift it like your mad at it.
and also why do you have to use it all the time? that's why you have 3 field gears and a clutch.
the international dealer back then said they were not intended for steady use.
the later ta's in the 706's and others in that series it is normal to use them.