I haven�t had much to do with CVTs in cars but I used to work at a Case IH tractor dealership so serviced a lot of CVT tractors.

You select the speed range whilst stationary and then the throttle pedal or hand throttle position controls the speed. It enables precise �inching� for hitching up implements etc but there�s also a mode to select a certain PTO speed and the engine revs & ground speed will vary automatically to suit the load.