Electric PTO hard engagement mod

[midpack 866]

Otherwise known as Mongo the test mule gets a new option  

 

Anyone who has an electric PTO knows how abruptly they engage. I read about a "soft start" option somewhere and decided to give it a try. The module wasn't exactly cheep. But I found one on eBay for around $45 and ordered it up.

 

I got the one for gas engines, 31123000. It was really easy to install, took about 30 min. I had to make 3 new wires and I tucked the module in behind the battery.

 

I'm really happy with the results. It makes a huge difference when the PTO is engaged. Pretty close to a regular PTO clutch IMO 

[JoeM 7,874]

I do have a question.

Will the soft start affect the life of the clutch? The slower reaction time will cause more friction? 

[midpack 866]

1 minute ago, JoeM said:

I do have a question.

Will the soft start affect the life of the clutch? The slower reaction time will cause more friction? 

Good question. Time will tell. Definately going to be less stressful for the motor and attachments though. 

[pfrederi 17,739]

 Since the friction surface in an electric PTO is steel to steel i doubt wear would be a huge issue.

 

I may get one for the electric clutch I have to use on my sweepster C-175... (has a JD spec replacement engine)

 

Curious why you are using an electric PTO on your C175

 

[midpack 866]

7 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

 Since the friction surface in an electric PTO is steel to steel i doubt wear would be a huge issue.

 

I may get one for the electric clutch I have to use on my sweepster C-175... (has a JD spec replacement engine)

 

Curious why you are using an electric PTO on your C175

 

Its got a Magnum 18 in it. Curse of the KT 17 rod

[pfrederi 17,739]

6 minutes ago, midpack said:

Its got a Magnum 18 in it. Curse of the KT 17 rod

Understand that!!  I just ordered one from Ebay.  Thank you so much.  I keep waiting for something bad to happen when I switch on my sweepster even with the engine e at idle the jerking is big time.

[midpack 866]

18 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

Understand that!!  I just ordered one from Ebay.  Thank you so much.  I keep waiting for something bad to happen when I switch on my sweepster even with the engine e at idle the jerking is big time.

Yeah, that snowthrower would really jump! I feel the engagement but it's much more subdued 

[kpinnc 12,028]

4 hours ago, JoeM said:

Will the soft start affect the life of the clutch? The slower reaction time will cause more friction? 

 

I've used the same thing on a 26hp zero turn with a 61 inch deck for more than two years, and never needed to adjust any wear out of the clutch. 

 

It works similar to antilock brakes. It pulses in accordance to the rpm of the engine. It has one wire that must be coiled on a spark plug wire so it knows how rapidly to engage. I can't say enough good things about mine, and will add them to any machine I ever have an electric clutch on. 

[midpack 866]

Thanks, good to know. 

[JoeM 7,874]

7 hours ago, kpinnc said:

I've used the same thing on a 26hp zero turn with a 61 inch deck for more than two years, and never needed to adjust any wear out of the clutch.

Great info. 

I know running the xi machines with a 60 inch deck it takes almost all the hp to overcome the inertia of those blades. Especially when the temperature is on the cool side. 

That pulsation would act like a jog feature. Might even provide a cooling effect. 

Using the soft start can you start the blades at low RPM? 

I like the idea. I think it would really be a plus on those attachments that are affected by shock loading.  

The smaller decks, tiller, snow blowers I like engaging at low rpm the reving up. 

[kpinnc 12,028]

7 hours ago, JoeM said:

Using the soft start can you start the blades at low RPM? 

 

Yes. As I said the controller engages with the frequency to match RPM of the engine. 

 

Prior to using the soft start controller, normal engagement would choke the engine off if it wasn't warmed up. 

 

Some have said adjustment of the clutch so that it doesn't hit so hard works to prevent shutting the engine down, but this allows the clutch to slip under load. This slipping will wear a clutch out very quickly, not to mention degrading the overall performance of the mower.