Torque Amplification question

[ShawnAgne]

The gentlemen I bought the 300 from said to find out for sure but he was saying the TA is a dry lubrication and if you throw it in when going down a hill you can mess up the bearings. Is this true? Is it like everything else where if you are going to use it start with it engaged before you start moving?

[Scrivet]

I have never had a tractor with a TA so my comments are worth what they are worth...........
Why would you need to engage torque amplification going downhill? I would equate that to shifting from say fourth to first going downhill, yup I think you could mess something up.

On the subject of messing things up, I had a cousin that had a 340 Utility with a TA and he said most people messed them up by pussy footing around with them. If you need to engage the TA then JERK it on and when you go to disengage, E-A-S-E it off gently.

[ShawnAgne]

Thanks, for the reply. Don't plan on using it much and if I do have it engaged prior to moving but thought I better ask.

[Urbish]

I have no experience with TA, but I was reading up on it a while back and the rule was to NEVER COAST with the TA engaged. Only use it when under load.

[Super A]

Yes, if you are in hills, keep it in direct drive (TA lever forward.) On the early tractors the TA will "freewheel" in low (TA pulled back) The main failure was someone would start down a hill with the lever back, tractor would start to coast faster and faster, driver would throw the lever forward into direct and the TA would grenade.

Treat the TA lever just like a light switch. Don't "feather" it.

Al

[Matt Kirsch]

The gear reduction portion of the TA runs in the tractor's transmission oil. There is a dry clutch in the housing ahead of that section, though. So really it is kind of both.

The advice about using the TA is correct. Uphill it is okay to pull the TA. That's what it was meant for. Generally speaking you want the TA lever ahead when traveling downhill.

The only time it would be okay to travel downhill with the TA lever back is if you are plowing or doing some other type of tillage that is putting a load on the tractor. Litmus test for that would be if you pushed the clutch, and the tractor stopped immediately. If it rolls, leave the TA ahead.

You have the benefit of experienced people telling you this ahead of time. I did not. My Dad let me discover it on my own. Thankfully I was only raking hay on a mild slope and the tractor had good brakes.

[ShawnAgne]

Thanks, really appreciate this.