Blade engagement on Scags

[BufalinoLand]

How high of throttle is it a good idea to engage blades, i did it at full, now that i just read the manual, it said half or 3/4. what damage may i have done?

[Sammy]

I was at a eXmark maintenance class this year. The tech. was asked about clutch engagement. He said let the mower warm up a bit, learn at what R.P.M. you need to run to engage w/o stalling the motor. And always slow down the R.P.M.'s befor disengagement.

[guntruck]

Yeah the reason for this is the clutch also acts as a brake so when you slow the blades down and then disengage them its easier for the brake to stop the motion.....not much momentum.

[John DiMartino]

I have a hard time getting my help to properly engage pto's of all types.I am amazed that these clutches last as long as they do,taking an engine at 3700 RPm,s-and 20 lbs+ worth of blades,spindles,belts at zero RPM,then instanly engage them-ouch.I would engage it at as low an rpm as possible without stalling.My help must make Gates proud,since they snap belts all the time-and cant figure out why?I can hear the belt chirp from the 3 rd holes as the engage the deck on the steiner at max rpm's.

[Mark]

If you have a Exmark or Toro Z-Master its hard to engage the blades at a real low throttle, mine always throws off my mule belt to the blades so i know exactly where to engage at now around half throttle. Belt is adjusted just fine. Anyone else have this problem? Marks Mowing Service

[Craig Turf Management]

3/4 throttle sounds right, maybe a little less. The colder the weather the more throttle, but rarely more than 3/4. I'm using my 2000 TurfTiger 61 advantage with the Kholer Command 25 hp motor as an example. I have a 1999 Scag 52 inch with a 17hp Kawasaki and can engage the blades at less than 1/2 throttle even in colder weather. Sorry so late to respond, it's the only chance I've had this week to catch up on LawnSite.com
Bill

[Eric ELM]

This is what is nice about hand clutches, you can engage them at an idle, even with double blades. :)

I even used to engage my JD 430 at an idle with an electric clutch, but the diesel has enough torque at an idle to do this.

[jason2]

My 52" Lazer with 18 hp will stall at less than 3/4 throttle when engaging doubles. Really hate engaging it at high speed, but with doubles and lower horsepower I guess I have to live with it.