Method for controlling the power take-off shaft of a tractor

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling the drive of the power take-off (PTO) shaft of a tractor in which the PTO shaft can be connected to the drive engine by means of a PTO shaft clutch. The tractor comprises a hydraulic power lift to which a working machine driven by the PTO shaft can be coupled. In order to improve safety and operational comfort, the inventive method is comprised of the following steps: a) the PTO shaft clutch is engaged by means of a pulse-width-modulated on/off valve when the switch for turning on the PTO shaft is activated such that the clutch starts working in a controlled manner; b) if, afterwards, the switch for changing over to an automatic mode is actuated, the PTO shaft clutch is disengaged when the power lift is lifted; when the lift is not lifted, the PTO shaft clutch remains engaged: c) if the power lift is lowered again within a predetermined time interval, the PTO shaft clutch automatically reengages; however, the clutch no longer engages after this time interval has elapsed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.