How to Turn on a Bush Hog | A Beginner's Guide to Engaging PTO
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25 күн бұрынAre you new to operating a tractor and rotary cutter? In this video, we've got you covered! Holly inherited her father's Massey Ferguson 230 tractor and is eager to learn how to turn on the bush hog to start cutting grass. We'll walk you through the process step by step, from engaging the PTO (Power Take Off) to safely operating your equipment.
Learn about the two-stage clutch system found in older tractors like the Massey Ferguson 230 and how to effectively engage the PTO lever. Discover the recommended engine speed for optimal performance and safety precautions to consider while operating your equipment.
We'll also discuss the evolution of PTO systems, from older models requiring a two-step engagement process to newer tractors with fully independent PTO mechanisms. Plus, find out why OSHA mandates a two-step operation for engaging the PTO and the importance of following safety protocols.
If you own an older tractor, we'll provide essential tips on adapting modern attachments and the potential dangers of transmission-driven PTO systems. Learn about the critical role of an overrunning clutch in preventing accidents and protecting both you and your equipment.
Whether you're a novice tractor operator or looking to refresh your knowledge, this video will equip you with the skills to safely engage your bush hog and tackle your land maintenance tasks with confidence. Don't miss out on this essential guide to mastering your tractor's PTO system!
#TractorPTO #RotaryCutter #BushHogSafety #FarmEquipment #TractorMaintenance #MasseyFerguson #PTOEngagement #SafetyTips
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@tntom5479 22 күн бұрын
I grew up on an 8N tractor with transmission driven PTO. Started bush hogging for my Dad around 10-12 years old (I'm 71 now). Yes, I pushed a few fences over but eventually I think it made me a better, young operator. Had to stay alert and aware so you didn't keep having to tell your Dad there was more fence to fix or a new gate to hang!!😂
@KPVFarmer 22 күн бұрын
So cool that you took Holly’s letter and not only answered it, but made a great video for her and others as well. Holly, sorry for your loss and best wishes on taking care of the farm.
@20_below 23 күн бұрын
Title made me think it was a video about steering with a bush hog behind you. Good video.
@redrover1565 23 күн бұрын
I suspect there are more, like me, that are new to this and appreciate your videos. Thank you.
@redneck5356 23 күн бұрын
Overrun clutch on a 8n is a must. 8n is a pretty nice little tractor. I mow with mine.
@markproulx1472 23 күн бұрын
That’s interesting…I’ve always engaged the PTO at idle; the idea being that this would minimize shock to the driveline.
@markellis6727 22 күн бұрын
I grew up on an 8N Ford, and you're right, with a bush hog those tractors could be very dangerous
@dustinbesser4780 23 күн бұрын
the part about the overrunning clutch is essential if you have that style of pto. I've seen overrunning clutches for anywhere from $35-75 and it's well worth it for that scenario. Plus it acts as a ~1 foot extender for your pto in case you have a short pto shaft as well.
@markchoate9021 23 күн бұрын
Great video, Mike on a topic that can be overlooked due to it's basic application. It is basic, but it is oh so important. By the way, I really appreciated how you showed you moving the engagement lever forward very gradually to engage. Some folks just drop this forward with no regard of the process that is going on. Think of that lever as another clutch that has to gradually be moved so as not to damage things.
@botabob 23 күн бұрын
Thanks Mike for this timely video. It's great to see all of the support available in the tractor community. Be careful Holly. Maybe you can find some one to help you become familiar with your equipment in your local community. There is so much to learn. I've had my little sub-compact tractor for 14 years now and still learn something new all the time from other people on KZfaq. Go slow is one piece of advice I would recommend. Enjoy the Journey - Cheers
@gckshea 23 күн бұрын
Mike, great video! My LS Tractor has the option for both independent electric PTO engagement, and dual clutch manual engagement. I run almost 100% of the time in dual clutch mode because I like knowing I can stop everything with my left foot on the clutch. Somehow I don't like the idea of having to smack the yellow PTO knob if I ran into rocks, wire, or stumps. It's a feature that is great if you want the PTO to remain running with full-on clutch disengagement of tractor movement, but that lost on me. Another thing: engaging the PTO with the knob switch in AUTO mode snaps the PTO on fully at what ever RPM the engine is set. It's not good to forget the engine speed being high and then hit that knob! Boy, that has to be hard on the driveline. With clutch engagement, I feather the engagement at low rpm and it very much eases the inertial shock of rotation. I think this is better for the tractor and the implement. Great info, Sir.
@jamesfarrow2130 23 күн бұрын
Thanks Mike, I would also include ; best to engage before you drive into tall grass, weeds etc
@stevemartinez6757 22 күн бұрын
I have an older (1979) Ford 3600 with a transmission driven PTO. An overrun clutch is almost a must. For the longest time I didn't have one, I just got used to leaving myself plenty of room to stop. That is until one day while bush/brush hogging in the woods when my front tires kind of slipped while turning. One front wheel caught a tree while the tractor was still being pushed by inertia and it resulted in a bent steering arm. After that somewhat expensive mishap I bought and installed an overrun clutch.
@stevemeister65 23 күн бұрын
Great explanation! I've thought about buying a Ford 8N just bc I think it would be cool to have one. I am more aware of the issues or differences in the PTO thanks to your explanations! Thanks again, Mike!
@garyrichardson8306 20 күн бұрын
Timely reminder, valuable tips, well explained, thanks Mike. Another point to consider is the possible lack of counter weight for a brush hog, or slasher in Oz, carried at the rear 3 point link. Especially on a 2WD machine, that weight can seriously reduce the steering response due to lack of front wheel traction. Flat terrain can be risky, steering and traction on sloped surfaces can need much more turning space and/or practiced use of independent brakes to assist the safe manoeuvring of the machinery. Take your time and reach out for experienced help as other comments suggest. Good learning begins with questions like this, thanks for raising these important issues Holly.
@CliffsideStables 22 күн бұрын
Mike you never cease to amaze with the continued helpful content you provide on your channel. “Keep on Keeping on!” Tim in northern TN
@darleneirby8244 23 күн бұрын
That pto shaft can be dangerous around loose clothing if it is running.
@frankmoreau8847 19 күн бұрын
Very, very simple solution. Make it a rule to never get near a PTO powered 3 point implement when the engine is running and the PTO is engaged. Also, on an open station tractor, wear no strings, loops, dangling belts etc, that can get entangled in a driveline or universal joint.
@stephenbinion6348 7 күн бұрын
My father’s older brother died from being caught by a PTO shaft. He was home alone and was on the shaft being beaten to a pulp until the tractor ran out of fuel.
@silent1967 23 күн бұрын
It's a little more involved than that on my Ford New Holland 3930. You have to have the pto engagement lever adjusted just right to where you turn it on at first stop it doesn't turn or just barely turns. Then once it's turning slowly you move the engagement lever fully forward. When I first got it I didn't know this and I never did find the other half of that brush hog shear bolt. I think it went into the next county. It was rather Violent.
@eddiebaughman2809 23 күн бұрын
Great viedo Mike. Grew up on the farm. Dad had a 9N Ford. Didn't know there's a difference in the size of the pto shaft now. Thought everything was standard. Good to know
@bradw3313 8 күн бұрын
Good discussion…I had a Ford NAA I used to shred for 20 years and had an overrun clutch o it….i replaced with a Kubota MX that did t need overrun as it was built in, but added one anyway. It added length needed since I have a quick hitch, plus figured it would help protect the driveline and pto. Works great!!! May want to have some show and tell as she may not get some of terminology. But as already mentioned….a local dealer or neighbor with sense should be more than happy to show her…. A dealer local dealer may even go there and demo for a sandwich.
@johnhelbig7110 23 күн бұрын
Holly, as Mike said, once you get the power takeoff (PTO) engaged at about 1200, as shown on your tachometer, let the cutter (or brush hog) run for a minute or two, then accelerate the engine rpms until the needle hits the little mark on the dial of the tachometer that is marked 540. That is the correct speed for any rear PTO driven implement to be operated; it’s what they were designed for. Good luck and be careful; I doubt that you have a roll bar or seatbelt on the MF 230. I know the ones my Dad sold new did not have any.
@karlrovey 18 күн бұрын
Some tachs (such as the one on the Allis Chalmers 8030) have a green segment marked as the proper RPM range for the PTO.
@ericwilner1403 15 күн бұрын
Well, I learned several things from this - if (when) I get a bigger and/or older tractor, I'll likely need to know some of them. Informative as always! One oddity: my Kubota B2601 has a simple lever to engage the PTO, with no 2-step process. Push it, and the PTO is engaged (I just checked, with the engine off, and there's nothing impeding movement out of the "off" position). I don't know why it doesn't have a detent or something. (I *really* wish the speed-range lever had detents; it sometimes gets nudged into "N" when I dismount.)
@v.m.8472 20 күн бұрын
I am a novice and I need to learn this!
@pyroman6000 23 күн бұрын
Thanks! Tht was an interesting discussion about the different types of PTO. A real interesting one, is how fire pumps on fire apparatus are set up. The engine drives EITHER the driveline OR the pump, but not both. You set the parking brake, take it out of gear, engage the the pump shift lever- then put the transmission back in gear. (usually drive) There are 2 sets of gears- one drives the main driveshaft, the other the pump. the shift lever changes the gear coming from the engine from one to another. It's functionally similar to how a PowrReverser tractor works- which has 2 top shafts- one for forward, one for reverse. The reverser simply picks which top shaft is engaged. Some manufacturers also offer a front or rear engine power takeoff arrangement (like how a concrete truck works) to allow for pump and roll with the main fire pump. Otherwise you need an auxiliary engine and pump to do that. My guess is it works much like a tractor's pto. I've never driven or used one myself. I get a kick out of learning how mechanical systems work.
@DavidTaylor24 23 күн бұрын
I never thought about it, but most tractors that I have used have a two-step switch or lever to engage the PTO, but my Deere 1025R is just a single step toggle switch. It is mounted by itself up on the console by the gauges, so maybe they felt that it is far away from other controls and wouldn't get mixed up.
@wallyzworld7108 23 күн бұрын
Great video again. And yes a transmission PTO can be an adventure. The Massey Ferguson T20 and T30s (I have a T30) also had the same issue as the Fords. My current Massey 1840e that is Hydrostatic also has a clutch pedal just for engaging the PTO. One thing you didn't mention was the cut off switch that doesn't allow you to start the tractor if the PTO is engaged. My Massey wouldn't start after parking one day and I couldn't figure it out, my son had kick the PTO lever getting off the tractor and it was beyond the detent step and engaging the cut off switch. Moved the PTO handle to off position and the tractor started fine.
@NSEasternShoreChemist 20 күн бұрын
I did not know that two stage clutches were a thing. Thanks, Mike! For my Kubota B1630 running a Woods RM59 mower, I engage the PTO at around 1,500 RPM, it seems like a good balance.
@fhuber7507 23 күн бұрын
I always idle down, engage the PTO, then bring RPM up. Less stress than having it at speed then slapping the thing into gear.
@frankmoreau8847 19 күн бұрын
I listened to your advice 5:50 about engine speed thinking Mike knows. I have a boomer 50 with a 72" brush hog that I have been starting at engine idle. Yesterday I followed Mike's advice and engaged the PTO at 1200 rpm and it snapped a sheer bolt. Thanks Mike, but I think I'll stick with engaging at idle. .
@jimmyyounger618 23 күн бұрын
Good stuff! I have a '66 Massey 175 with a 2-speed PTO. The PTO lever, (low left of the operator as described in the video), has 3 positions: Neutral or off which is the Center position, Forward - low-speed PTO, and rearward - high speed. The brush cutter does a poor job at the low-speed position. I suspect there's something off with my PTO because I have to shut the tractor down to get the lever to go into the rearward position, and I doubt it was designed to need a shutdown, move the lever rearward, and restart with the PTO engaged. No problem getting into the low-speed position with the tractor running. I guessed this starting up under a PTO load would eventually break something, but 24 years later it doesn't appear to have had an ill effect beyond the inconvenience.
@berthongo8531 23 күн бұрын
Excellent advise! As a new tractor owner, I knew nothing, I watched a bunch of your videos (all excellent) as well as TTWT and thought I knew pretty much everything I needed to know. Until I actually got my 1025R and started using it. And it was back to the videos which made even more sense now that I had touched and tasted a real tractor. Thanks Mike!
@leegardner6300 23 күн бұрын
Great video. I finally feel equipped to start mowing with my 'like new' Ferguson T0-30 (with over-running clutch) and nearly new 5' County Line mower. I'll be sure to check the matchup on the spline shaft diameter. Thanks Mike! Lee in NC (formerl late '70's Green Seed KY31 processing plant mgr in Lockwood). I remember the original S&H farm supply 4 mi. South of Lockwood...
@tommybounds3220 17 күн бұрын
Thank you for the video.
@dave-uf8ir 23 күн бұрын
Excellent 😊
@iansinclair521 23 күн бұрын
Someone mentioned adding an overrunning adapter on a Ford 8N. Same thing on the Ferguson TO20 and 30. Worse, they had single stage clutches. This can be kind of entertaining... you get used to it.
@copperbeechfarm 22 күн бұрын
Mike, always love your videos. I’ve found on my NH TN65 engaging at idle speed is more gentle on both the PTO shaft and sheer pin. Engaging at higher rpm’s has damaged multiple pto’s and pins.
@elricm13 23 күн бұрын
Great video!
@audreydrake805 23 күн бұрын
Thank you
@linnjensen7469 8 күн бұрын
Great video MIke thanks and good luck Holly you will do fine
@m16ty 23 күн бұрын
Oliver had the first independent PTO in 1948. IH didn't come out with the independent PTO until 1954 with the Super M-TA.
@jame3shook 23 күн бұрын
Not sure about a MF230, but my dad's New Holland has a PTO icon on the RPM gauge, showing the minimum RPMs needed.
@tractortyme 21 күн бұрын
People's lack of ability to research this very medium we're on how to do things, is simply mind boggling.
@user-jp1ct2fl8l 21 күн бұрын
Equipment can be, no is very dangerous. If someone is a very inexperienced operator I would strongly suggest they find someone who can help them get started. Maybe a neighbor or even someone from the local ag community. Sometimes with equipment you don’t have a second chance. Be safe!
@threepointservices-tractor4832 18 күн бұрын
I have a hydrostatic transmission. There is a slight variation, from your explanation, with the hydrostatic transmission.
@RobertTurner-bj6me 21 күн бұрын
Mike, nice video but you are in error about the operation of an 8n pto. The first tractor I learned on was my grandfather's 8n and my father-in-law had an 8n I used frequently. First when you push the clutch in, it disengages the transmission and thus the pto. The pto wont push you forward. It will however push you forward if you press in the clutch with the pto driving a cutter and running, and the cutter has not stopped. The cutter will most likely be running until you stop because the pto runs the hydraulic pump. It you turn off the pto your 3-point lift won't come up because you have no hydraulics. This is why typically you run the cutter until you park rhe tractor unless you get off, disconnect the cutter driveshaft and tie it up. Second, the over running clutch prevents you from destroying your transmission if you hit a stump or something and lock up your cutter and thus your transmission. If the cutter locks up the engine is still trying to turn the transmission. Whether a person is fast enough to depress the clutch to prevent damage I'll leave for another discussion, but I highly doubt it. If you lock up the cutter the over running clutch ratchets and protects the transmission. It is an absolute must if you drive any implements with this type of tractor. Thanks, Bill Turner
@user-tc5bw7ln8b 20 күн бұрын
I have a 3910 ford tractor and a 2002 kubota tractor thay are different i all ways wonder why now i no thanks for the video
@mikeadler434 21 күн бұрын
👍👍
@tcmits3699 23 күн бұрын
Just a friendly suggestion about over-running clutches, they should always be mounted on implement side, not the tractor. Over-running clutches mounted on the tractor side still allow enertia through u-jointed shaft when disengaged. 🤔
@joshuafuentes6623 23 күн бұрын
Is there any way you could point to where I can get an operating manual for a c29 century tractor
@matthewtaylor2185 14 күн бұрын
That 230 massey ought to have plenty of torque to start a 6ft bush hog at idle. If she has a shear pin and starts at a fast idle, she's likely to break a shear pin. I have a b414 IH and it doesnt even blink at starting a 6ft bush hog at its slowest idle speed.
@swampwhiteoak1 16 күн бұрын
Holly - sorry for your loss. If you planned on inheriting the farm, why did you not ever learn from your father? Likewise, if your father planned on leaving the farm to you, why did he not teach you?