convert from shear pin to slip clutch on my rotary cutter PTO, anyone do it?

[tmdupre]

I have a 72" rotary cutter which currently has the shear pin pto shaft gearbox. My problem is when I put my pto on, majority of the time, it shears the shear pin. I'm using grade 2 half inch bolts from TS. So I've seen these shear pin to slip clutch adapters for sale. They are made to go on a round shaft gearbox to the round shaft end of the pto shaft. Here is one from Georgia equipment company. They sell them for $70.

Slip Clutch Pack, Shearpin to Slip Clutch Adapter

Anyone have any experience using this and if so, how has it worked for you? Will this hold up better? Any thoughts on what I could do to keep from shearing the shear bolts? Just looking for feedback from you who have used either one and what you liked about them. Thanks

Tom

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I have no experience with them, but it should work. You may need to shorten your PTO shaft after you install that adapter, but that's easy enough to do.

My real question, though, is why your cutter is shearing pins when you engage the PTO. Are you engaging it with the tractor at idle? If so, I'd be concerned that something is bound up, ground up or boogered up in the gear box. Have you tried turning the blade pan/carrier with the cutter disconnected from the tractor? Does it turn freely?

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I am planning the reverse. The slip clutch on my tiller is a real PITA. Here in the NW I have to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and adjust it every time I put it on the tractor. The adjustment process is not as simple as I was led to believe. I have never sheared a pin on my brush hog as have never hit anything that would stall the engine. From what i hear shear pins have to be selected by the right grade bolt. Have you tried a grade 5? i know Land Pride recommends grade 2 and it is 1/2". the bolt diameter is a key factor also.

Ron

 

[ovrszd]

I'm with Pappy. There's something else wrong. I've got a 6' Rhino with shear bolt. I've used it fairly hard for the past 3-4 years (can't remember when I bought it), have sheared one bolt.

As to your question, yes, you can convert to slip clutch. I considered that with my cutter until I used it a while and realized I don't replace bolts all the time. I use it to cut in timber land mostly.

 

[geneP]

I have converted my woods BB60 to a slip clutch from a shear bolt and really like it. I cut around hidden stumps and was always replacing the bolts. In the spring I loosen my tension nuts on the clutch, slip it a little, and tighten back up. I always keep track of the turns I loosen them to minimize the adjustment when tightening them back. If the clutch slips too easily I just give all the nuts a quarter turn at a time until I like it.

 

[tmdupre]

When I have the pto disconnected, I can turn the gearbox by hand or at least with ease with some pliers. I have my tractor at idle but when I turn it on, and it hits kind of hard. I may try grade 5 bolts and see if that works better. I just didn't know how well the slip clutch worked and how did people like them instead of shear bolts.

 

[Fallon]

I recall telling my dealer I wanted a slip clutch on my LandPride 5' & being assured it was buried under the PTO guard. But when I tore things apart for a spring cleaning & adjustment there was no clutch. Only the bolt holding the PTO shaft to the gearbox. No set screw or grove in the gearbox shaft to keep it attached if it sheers though, which is mildly concerning.

Torqued at the dealer for misleading me. But as I haven't sheered the pin yet it appears to be far less work & maintenance than the clutch would be. I see no reason to change what is working well. Debating whether or not to go address this with the dealer after a bit over a year of tractor & cutter ownership.

 

[rcr1991]

Hi Ron,

Did you do the conversion from slip clutch to shear pin? I'd like to do same but not sure what is required. Any tips?

Thanks,

Rob

 

[Fallon]

I ended rebuilding the clutch. It ended up not being to beatup. Got a full new PTO shaft & popped off one end & attached the clutch to the U joint.

What you doing this on? You can probably find a yoke with the appropriate sheer pin instead of splined interface & the appropriate sized U joint bearing holes.

 

[rcr1991]

thanks for the reply. i have an old Ford 908 mower, and my tractor is a kubota L3400. mine slip clutch assembly is so worn looking and rusted that i am thinking of replacing the whole thing. i am more familiar with a shear pin in a mower, so that is why I was thinking about that option. a new slip clutch is $225. not sure what i will end up doing to get it going and give me peace of mind. i am a little worried now b/c I have read that slip clutch's are specific for tractor horsepower and i cannot find specifics on the 908 mower. if the clutch is for a much higher horsepower tractor then it might allow my PTO to get scrambled.