Advice sought on how to drive a modern tractor

[NeepClatter]

Old bugger here, but new to farming, my tractor has an electronic clutch button on the gear lever in addition to the old fashioned clutch pedal. What is best/easiest on the drive train? using the electronic or manual clutch when roading heavy loads, with the electronic button you can’t do the old fashioned easing out of clutch dependent on how your gut tells you you’re taxing the engine,also I feel I have no timing control with the button, it’s either engaged or not, am I safe to assume the electronics may have software that engages the clutch in a way that is easier on the drivetrain than a size 12 boot on the pedal ever could? Similarly, does engaging the electronic PTO button when the power management feature (holds the engine at an power setting that gives 540 RPM at the PTO ) button is ON shock load the engine/drivetrain or does electronic engagement commence the PTO in a measure way, or should I turn off the “power hold” button return the tractor to idle, engage the PTO then return to the power setting that provides 540 rpm on the PTO?

These driving methods are obviously not brand specific but just FYI, the tractor is a 6 cylinder Deutz M600 Agrotron that I really like and don’t want to knacker up/ thrash by not operating it properly.

 

[Werzle]

If its sounds like your hurting her you probably are.

 

[TripleSix]

The declutch button on the stick usually has soft engage programmed into it.


Whereas if you lift the foot clutch too quick there will be no delay.

I like to engage ptos at idle but unless there is a lot of torque to overcome eg overloaded roto spreader it doesn't bother them to engage at PTO speed, once again it'll have soft start.

 

[Kidds]

Clutch button on my Same will certainly bang the engine if you accidentally put it in the wrong gear.
I would never engage the pto on anything other than tickover. I always raise the revs gently with the foot throttle rather than just pushing the memory button too.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

If you have been driving for years then you'll know how to use a clutch pedal as well as the button can do it.

Re. the PTO, depends on the inertia of whatever is hooked on - something like a spray pump I'd start @PTO rpm but a baler I would engage at a fast idle, regardless of "soft start" engagements you can make it softer still by dropping the revs.
My mower is usually on ECO and will stall my little tractor if I engage at idle - so whatever works, in short.

 

[feilding]

I never use the clutch pedal once engine is running, the shuttle does it all and the gear stick button to change gear ,the speed matching works better with button. I've got a M620.

 

[NeepClatter]

I never use the clutch pedal once engine is running, the shuttle does it all and the gear stick button to change gear ,the speed matching works better with button. I've got a M620.

My M600 doesn’t have the + (plus) software patch installed which I understand is for the speed matching.

 

[feilding]

My M600 doesn’t have the + (plus) software patch installed which I understand is for the speed matching.

Mine didn't have m plus ,but SDF fitted it for free.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

There was never anything wrong with a clutch pedal and a gear stick .look at the Ford 5000 . Lovely gear change

 

[Exfarmer]

Most modern tractor clutches are just a switch, linked to the switch on the gear stick

 

[Flat 10]

My M600 doesn’t have the + (plus) software patch installed which I understand is for the speed matching.

I know very little about deutz only what I’ve read on here but I think everyone says plus software is good for lots of things not only speed matching. @DrDunc is the deutz expert on here

 

[DrDunc]

I know very little about deutz only what I’ve read on here but I think everyone says plus software is good for lots of things not only speed matching. @DrDunc is the deutz expert on here

I'm no expert, I just drive the things

@NeepClatter the worst thing you cab do with the zf7200 back ends in those things is not calibrate the clutch packs at 1000 hour oil change.

However there's a lot of them about worth thousands of hours that've never been done. They'll just keep going without damage, but the clutch packs will eventually wear out.

The pto engagement on then can be a bit savage when the oil is cold, or they've not been calibrated

First time you fire up the shaft, leave it ticking over. Street that it depends upon the load as already said. For headland management auto PTO engagement on say a power Harrow, no need to drop engine revs when turning at the headland.

The clutch pedal on modern tractors is also electronic. It's used more as an inching when when hooking up to something, or around the yard. When in the field or the road, just use the declutch button on the gearstick. Lift off or add throttle when shifting as you would with the clutch pedal, and give the gearbox lever isit time to engage. The cables on them do break if you get over anxious with the shift.

Good solid tractors, provided you can live with the logical cab control colour scheme