Land Pride RTR0550 Tiller clutch

[legbuh]

Ok, I recently picked up this tiller for my BX1860. The dealer said it was used once by an employee and he would give me a good deal with full warrenty.

I thought great, it's been used, tested, etc.

Well, I was doing some light tilling and must have hit a root or something and it basically killed the engine. So much for the slip clutch I guess. So I get out the manual and see the "run-in" process and do it.

Lets just say the clutches didn't move then either, and the line you draw was still there across the 3(4?) plates. So the manual says to take it apart and clean. They do look seized together, so it will be an issue of breaking them apart them probably cleaning them with something (brake cleaner? Carb cleaner?)

I would call and have them fix it under warranty, but that's a hassle and it seems like a project I can handle (I've done far more and fancy myself a shadetree mechanic.. lol)

I'd like any pointers along the way if possible. Things to do, things not to do. And what if it doesn't slip once I get it back together.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

If it is under warranty, it is their problem...:2cents:

 

[Argosy]

I agree, take it back and let the warranty deal with it.

Cleaning it with brake cleaner won't work, the plates are probably starting to corrode to the discs, need to be broken free, cleaned and adjusted so they will slip properly. If you do it wrong your warranty will be gone if you break something.

 

[leonz]

I would like to know which type of clutch you have?

Is it the Euro Cardan shaft limited slip type P.T.O. spring pressure plate clutch with spring tensioners?


Take the entire PTO shaft with the clutch to the dealer and ask for a new one which will have the diections to properly adjust it which will require the following:

The new clutch will be loose and will slip immediately under load;

You will need to run the tiller to adjust the clutch by increasing the pressure by adjusting the tension nuts on the springs to where the tiller will slip when under heavy loading tilling deep or shallow.

I love it when they tell you these machines are ready to work and they do not.


EDIT: If the clutch pads are damaged which I think they are, you will be better off asking for a complete PTO shaft replacement unit with drive shaft halves and limited slip PTO clutch as you dont reaaly know how much actual life you have on the clutch pads to begin with.

 

[legbuh]

Yep, it's the PTO spring pressure plate one.

I called my dealer and talked with him and right away he said he would be out to take in the PTO shaft and clutch to fix it. I told him I wouldn't mind trying to fix it and he said if I wanted to I could. I'd basically be doing what the manual says to do, and what I need to do once a year (should it seize again) so for me it's a learning experience.

I told him if I had issues, couldn't get the plates apart, or it looked like it was pretty damages I would bring it in.. he had no problem and said warranty would still cover it.

I've done a ton of other types of clutches before, so for me it's a learning experience as well. And I know during this time of the year it was probably a good thing as he's running from farm to farm fixing stuff now for other customers with the BIG machinery... lol

 

[legbuh]

Well, I got it done last night... took all of an hour and was quite simple. A couple plates were rusted together, but a light tap and they fell apart and I could clean them up a little bit. Then did another run in and things are working as they should. Hopefully be trying it out today to make sure the slip clutch works.

What I have a question about is this, though. This tiller is made for a range of HP machines. Wouldn't the slip clutch need to be set looser for a lower HP machine that a higher HP machine? I'm thinking if it kills the engine again I may loosen it a little bit.

I should mention that the springs are tightened by measuring the size of the spring. 1.334" or something like that (I know it turned out to be 3.4cm on my calipers)

 

[jonyyuma]

The springs control the slip, and the hp rating...you could use a lite lube on the plates to control rust or always cover the clutch from rain. Jy.

 

[leonz]

I am glad freeing the plates up solved the issue for you.

The tractor horsepower is not the issue for ground engaging
implements it is the resistance of the ground to the tiller.

The folks that make the clutch do not want you to use any oil
of any weight as it prevents the clutch from working properly.


The clutch plates will slip more and abrade more and negate any
good friction surface left on the plates as any oil is a lubricant.


Covering the clutch with a garbage bag and taping the ends of the bag
when not in use will reduce moisture and rust accumulating on the clutch
plates.


If you use isopropyl alcohol to clean the clutch plates it will dry and leave no
residue-and you will not loose the ability to disconnect and protect the implement.

 

[jonyyuma]

Leonz,,,,,,,Maybe so but I would rather it slip a little bit, than bind up and rust solid. Plus the dust down here pretty much removes light lube, in just a few minutes..Just depends on how long it sits after using alcohol, as to how much rust forms.