Rookie Question

Pjm300

New User
Good evening and please excuse the lack of knowledge on my part. I recently purchased a TO30 tractor. I plan on using to brush hog and maybe plant a food plot or tow. It came with a 60 inch finish mower and a 60 inch brush hog. The person I purchased it from drove it to my property where I am going to use it (about 10 miles from his place). I printed out an owners manual and am going to order the shop manual. The tractor is converted to 12 volt, has new radiator, hoses, etc. I guess my question is going to be around gear and engine speed. If I am just brush hogging or mowing ive read conflicting ideas. Is there a preferred gear and rpm? It is flat land so no hills. Is there a article I can read up on it. I found one that stated if I was in too low of a gear and to high rpm the engine would sputter as well as too high a gear and low rpm. Sorry if it seems elementary and thansk for any insight.
 
It mostly depends on how thick the grass, or brush, is. Mostly I mow and bush hog in second gear, but if your grass is high or real
thick, you might have to go to first at least some of the time.
 
So 2nd gear and at a pto rpm of 540 which according to the ferguson manual is about 2/3 throttle. ( i am going to get a small tach to measure)
 
I've got a TO30 as well and just did some pretty extensive brush hogging with it on a property that hasn't been touched for 10years or so. I only ran in first gear because it's hilly and the weeds are so high and thick, but I must say the thing really impressed me. Even took down a couple 5ft pine trees. Probably not the best for the hog, but it did it.
 
I experience an issue I was using my finish mower 1st gear high rpm and the engine raced a bit like it wanted to stall. I read the Ferguson owners manual and it said this could happen from too low of a gear and too much rpm. So I guess I need to figure out the gearing a bit unless it's an entire other issue.
 
Be sure your rotary cutter has a over riding clutch installed on the pto shaft,
As I do not think a TO30 has independent or power clutch

You do not want the cutter running to push you through a gate or into a pond, just a heads up,

Stay safe,

A TO 35 has the power or some call it the double clutch, I can not remember the correct term, but it's a very important improvement in tractor operation and safety,
 
I have used my to30 for over a decade for brush hogging my property, second gear and about half throttle works fine. I wouldn't get wrapped
around a specific rpm and gear setting, find what works for you. These motors and tractors were meant to be used for their torque so half
throttle puts out a ton for a 28 hp engine.

As others said pick up the overrun clutch, takes maybe 15 min to install and can be a life saver. A bit of caution, when you stop the mower will
continue to spin on the ORC so steady clear of the mower deck.

Let us know how you make out.
 

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