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john d
11-12-2005 18:30:54
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Re: New Kid on the block: Why is live PTO importan in reply to Joe Hill, 11-12-2005 17:28:06
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Not really. The pto in either setup may be operated with or without forward movement. In the "live pto" setup, the power is always available to be applied to the pto whenever the tractor engine is running, by simply pulling the lever.
In the "non-live" pto arrangement, the power is available when the engine is running and the clutch is not depressed or dis-engaged. In order to engage the pto, the clutch pedal must be pushed, then the pto shifted into operation. The pto will not start unless the clutch pedal is released. In the "non-live" setup, you can have the pto running with or without forward motion, but you can't stop forward motion and leave the pto running. If you stop the forward motion with the clutch, the power to the pto is also stopped. The hazard some have mentioned with this system is the tendency of a large rotating mass such as a bush hog mower to keep rotating when you push the clutch. The clutch dis-engages the engine, but since the transmission gears and pto are all driven by the same shaft, the pto will drive the transmission gears if the pto and whatever it's hooked to keep rotating. You can solve this problem by adding an "over-running" clutch at the end of the tractor pto shaft. They cost about $50 or so. This item will let the implement keep rotating but will not allow power to be returned to the tractor by the pto shaft.
For running a log splitter, a post hole auger, or a grain elevator, either pto system will work fine. For applications where you might want to interrupt forward motion while leaving the pto runing - as with a hay baler, live pto is far superior. Live pto also allows starting or stopping the implement as needed without interrupting forward motion.
The two arrangements are essentially the pto equivalents of the live, and non-live hydraulic systems.
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