Noob operator queetions about PTO and creeper gears

[AusM4500dt]

Hi everyone,

I recently bought a M4500DT with a few implements.

I have never used a tractor before so I'm a bit lost where the manual isn't super clear.

This model has "Ground" and "Live" PTO options, a PTO clutch lever, and a lever at the back attached to the PTO output box to select 540/1000 RPM or neutral.

The manual says to use the PTO I should lift the PTO clutch lever to disengage it, then shift to either Live or Ground PTO. The manual doesn't mention the rear lever for 540/1000 at all.

When I first tried to use the PTO to run a slasher, following the above procedure and also depressing the main foot clutch fully (while hi/low and main gear is in netral) worked to use it in "Ground" setting where the shaft only spun while tractor was in motion.

But when I tried to set it to "Live", it sounded like gears grinding briefly while moving the lever. It did engage the one time I pushed through that sound but it doesn't sound like a good noise.

I was wondering if someone could please explain the proper process to get it into "Live" PTO please? I think that is the setting I need for most of the implements I have.

I was also wondering if someone could please explain the use of the 540/1000/neutral selection, as this isn't in the manual at all. Does it need to be out of neutral for the PTO to run, and if so, when and how would I change it?

I'm also uncertain on how to use the Creeper gear. It can be hi/low/neutral, but not sure on how it fits with the other gearing options.

I appreciate any advice for a total newbie.

Thanks

 

[Russell King]

I can only provide general knowledge on the use of the PTO. Nothing specific about your particular tractor but others will be along.

For the 540/1000/neutral lever: There are several different speeds for PTOs in the world. 540 is the most common in the USA but there are some implements that use the 1000 RPM setting. So put it in neutral if you have no intention of using it at all so the output shaft does not turn (so it is safer). Select the speed needed for the implement (usually 540 here, no idea in Australia) before you try to engage any other levers. The “ground” is for some implements that are required to operate at a speed relative to the ground speed of the tractor. Those would be fertilizer spreaders and manure spreaders and such. The “live” setting is for rear implements driven by the PTO shaft. Live means that it will stay spinning without the tractor moving.

It should go into the PTO without grinding for sure but I don’t think you have to push the clutch pedal down.

This thread describes the same situation on a similar tractor. It may help you adjust your PTO.

M4050 PTO grinding

Hi, I'm new to the forum but figure I'll be a regular. I did a search for this and didn't come up with anything helpful. I recently traded for an old M4050DT and it has a few issues that I'm working on. When I lift the PTO clutch disengage lever and then try to engage the live pto theres a...

www.orangetractortalks.com

Good luck

 

[AusM4500dt]

Thanks mate. My implements are all 540 so I've got it set to that.

I saw that other thread and adjusted the PTO clutch so the free play is within normal limits today (it was way above limits). Unfortunately it still grinds briefly when shifting into Live PTO even after the PTO clutch lever has been up for about a minute. Wondering if that means the problem is with the clutch's inner workings.

The PTO runs smoothly once it is on, but the brief grind while pushing it into "Live" doesn't sound right.

Also adjusted the main clutch pedal while I was at it...good to learn.

Thanks kindly!

 

[Russell King]

Thanks mate. My implements are all 540 so I've got it set to that.

I saw that other thread and adjusted the PTO clutch so the free play is within normal limits today (it was way above limits). Unfortunately it still grinds briefly when shifting into Live PTO even after the PTO clutch lever has been up for about a minute. Wondering if that means the problem is with the clutch's inner workings.

The PTO runs smoothly once it is on, but the brief grind while pushing it into "Live" doesn't sound right.

Also adjusted the main clutch pedal while I was at it...good to learn.

Thanks kindly!

I might adjust it to the tighter end and see if that helps. If it does the you can check to see if there is enough slack in the cable to feel good about running it in that position.

I know that the gears are not synchronized so there may always be some grinding.

On the creeper gear, I believe that the neutral is like the tractor is normal (without any creeper attachment) high would be slower than the normal gears and then slow would be really really slow. But that may be using flawed logic but you should be able to test it!

 

[JohnDB]

With my M4500DT there has always been a slight graunch when engaging live PTO from neutral, even after playing with the PTO clutch engagement, I believe that this is normal. Be interesting to know if anyone has silent engagement.

Creep speed selector is just a 2 ratio gear selector with neutral between them. 'High' is normal operation. So your tractor will have 16 forward gears.

 

[Russell King]

One other thing I recalled about creeper gearing I remember reading.

You only use the creeper gear for speed control but it doesn’t allow for increased pulling forces from the tractor. The creeper gear shafts are not robust is another way to think of it.

 

[JohnDB]

One other thing I recalled about creeper gearing I remember reading.

You only use the creeper gear for speed control but it doesn’t allow for increased pulling forces from the tractor. The creeper gear shafts are not robust is another way to think of it.

Hi Russell, I think I heard or read something similar but can't find anything about that in the operating manual. Do you know where that might have come from?

 

[Russell King]

I would have read it on this forum

here are a couple of threads where that is discussed

L2850 lost forward/reverse

Accidentally had the parking brake on when I released the clutch, heard a very quiet noise and a bump and now I don't have any forward/reverse. Everything else seems fine, there's no rattles or grinding. I'm assuming the clutch just got a haircut, and it was pretty worn down to begin with. I...

www.orangetractortalks.com

Kubota M105S

Just purchased a Kubota M105S used for poultry house work. Looking at creeper gear to it. How hard is this to do and how expensive is this to do?

www.orangetractortalks.com