All About PTO Safety

When you think about the tractor in your mind tractor comes with implements like Rotavator, straw reaper, tractor cultivator, mulcher, tractor shredder, and threshers. Most of the implements required an external power source, for this purpose tractors are provided with PTO (power take off). Now a day’s tractors come with many PTO features which helps farmers to drive modern implements as per needs. Incredible India has different soil conditions in each topographic area, for this, we need implements of different types, sizes, and power.

Most of the tractors loaded with PTO speed 540 rpm, but nowadays latest tractors are loaded with different types of PTO speed options. This feature helps a lot to farmers to operate different implements with less fuel also, you will get options in the transmission system for PTO. It depends on you to choose the tractor variant according to your work and farming conditions.

• PTO Transmission

PTO Shaft is directly connected to the tractor’s transmission, so the engaging clutch is essential to operate it. You get different options in clutch. Let’s discuss it.

• Normal Clutch 

In normal clutch, the PTO shaft will operate only when the clutch is operating fully. In old tractors models, you will get this type of clutch, but there are disadvantages of this type of transmission.

• Live Clutch

The live clutch comes with more benefits than normal clutch, you can operate the main transmission and PTO with the same clutch. When you press half clutch only main transmission disengage and PTO will work as it is, but when you press full clutch PTO will also stop. It is beneficial in many operations.

• Independent clutch

Now come to point, independent clutch is the advance technology that has many benefits. You will get a dual-clutch and independent PTO lever to operate PTO operation which allows farmers to operate two transmissions independently. Risks of accidents are very low in this system as operations as separate. But maintenance of these clutch plates will empty your pockets more.

Different types of implements should be operating at different speeds for better results and fuel efficiency. Many tractor manufacturers offer multiple speed options in most of the tractor models, let’s discuss PTO speeds and their applications.

• 540 RPM

Standard tractor PTO speeds are the function as tractor engine speed and vary according to model, but PTO operated agriculture machinery are designed to operate at standard PTO speed 540 rpm. Most of the implements require 540 RPM to get the required torque to meet their working efficiency.

• 540E

Some agriculture machines require very low power at standard 540 rpm, providing 540 rpm with high power to these machines is a waste of energy and fuel. To address this tractor producers developed transmissions that produce 540 rpm PTO speed at a lower speed of the engine flywheel. You will get these options in Swaraj Tractor 963FE, John Deere Tractor model 5045D, Escorts Farmtrac 60 and you can find all other models on khetigaadi.com.

• Multispeed PTO 

 If farmers are using generator sets or pump sets on tractor PTO then a Multispeed power take-off is the best option to save fuel. Multispeed PTO operated as per the gear speed so that it allows you to keep rpm as less as required, this gives the required amount of power to attached implements as well saves power, which results in diesel savings

PTO operations include many hazards as it includes heavy Tractor implements, rotating shafts, and many other hazardous operations. Usually, PTO shafts rotate at 540 RPM, which is 9 times per second in other options. Sometimes overconfidence of the operator is the reason for accidents, so even if you have operated PTO many times it is very necessary to precautions while operating. Here are some tips for safe PTO operations.

1. Do not wear loose clothing around PTO driven equipment.
2. Adjust drawbar according to implement to avoid driveline stress
3. Always use a driveline shield while operating, it restricts mud and debris from causing any damage to implement.
4. Never try to climb on implement when the implement is in operation
5. Never take a sharp turn while operating PTO it may cause problems to your PTO shaft.
6. Do not try to operate a PC and DC levers from the backside of the tractor.
7. Always shut off PTO before parking tractor, so that any accidental condition will not happen when you start your engine.
8. PTO shaft should be grassed on time to avoid breakdown to tractor