TIcking noise when using a brush hog

[jaybadd]

I have a satoh 650G. I have been using a 5ft brush cutter. When I depress the clutch (to switch from forward to reverse) and the PTO is engaged I hear a loud clicking noise that immediately disappears when the clutch is let out? It seems to be under the seat so the PTO/transmission area. Any ideas?

 

[tman1020]

Does it also do it when you're running the PTO with no implement on the back? Or just with the Bush hog?

 

[tman1020]

The reason I ask is because it sounds like an overrun clutch. If that's what it is you should not be able to hear it with no implement on pto. If it is a Extertal overrun clutch they usually have a place for Greese to quiet them down.

 

[jaybadd]

The noise is only when the clutch is depressed. So, it will be running great (no wierd noises) then I push in the clutch to change gears and it starts ticking. As soon as I take my foot off the clutch the noise stops. Also if I disengage the PTO witht he clutch depressed the noise immediatley stops.

 

[tman1020]

I understand but what I'm asking is if you disconnect the PTO shaft on your bush hog from your tractor. Make sure it's a safe distance away and then try activating the PTO on your tractor without anything attached to it. See if you hear the noise when you push in the clutch then. This will tell you two things. One is the noise coming from the Bush hog or the tractor. Two if it has an overrun clutch not having a load on will prevent it from overrunning Thus preventing the clicking sound if that's what's causing it.

 

[jaybadd]

I will try that tonight after work, thank you for the help!

 

[tman1020]

You're welcome. If you're not familiar with a over one clutch it is a small PTO spline shaft that has a bearing in it that slides over your existing PTO shaft on the back of your tractor all the ones I've seen have been golden color. Their purpose is to allow the PTO shaft to free wheel if you will when you push in the clutch on a tractor that does not have one built in such as Gray market tractors. This is what it sounds like you have. Sometimes they'll make a clicking sound you're speaking of if you can find where you're supposed to grease it can help.

 

[CobyRupert]

To expand further: The reason you want your PTO shaft to free wheel when you press in the clutch is: Prior to pressing in the clutch, the energy coming from the engine passes through the clutch to the wheels (transmission) and is also linked to the pto. You may want to stop by pressing in the clutch and disconnect the engine from the wheels, but there's a still lot of rotational energy in the spinning brush hog that is still linked through the PTO to the wheels and this could "drive" the tractor unexpectedly through the pucker brush when the driver expects to be stopping.
So instead of the PTO shaft from the attachment "inputting" power into the tractor, the PTO shaft will free wheel.

I don't know if this holds true for hydros?

 

[Fallon]

My L3200 is listed as having a live PTO, but I've never had push issues with my rotary cutter. I think the inherent design of a HST cancels out the negatives from a live PTO. The HST pump is always turning, but not actually pumping go juice unless you are on the go pedal.

 

[kebo]

It does seem like the noise could be from the overrunning clutch, but I would guess that Satoh has one built into it (internally). The two JD 750's I owned had an internal overrunning clutch and when I pushed the clutch in (with the PTO engaged), you could hear it clicking rather loudly. Never caused me a problem though. I actually liked hearing it, like it was reminding me that it was protecting me from what cobyrupert was describing.