Elecrtic PTO Clutch - Scotts L2548

[mjncad]

I have used similar clutches for years, and there some things that will add some longevity to the clutch. Engage the clutch at about 1/3 speed. Don't try and cut to much grass at one time. If you stall out in grass, back out and clear under deck. If your clutch is adjustable, adjust it whenever. Sometimes the clutch material will wear out and the electric is still good. Most of them can not be repaired. and some of them cost upward of $250. Keep deck spindle bearings lubed.

Good advice J_J. I always engage the clutch at the lowest RPM's I can. The Deere parts guy also suggested that I cut in the morning or late afternoon when the ambient air temperatures are lower. How much difference that makes I don't know; but in my case that's not always possible. He did say those clutches are junk, and Deere raised the price from $135 to $155 on them to make more $$$$.

 

[rossgtn]

mjncad, here's a link to another forum regarding transmisson issues with the JD L110/130. Hope you find it helpful.

http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=51673

 

[QueBota]

If the new clutch doesn't come with instructions there is supposed to be a break in procedure to burnish the friction surface of the clutch before subjecting it to any torque load.

I have seen numbers regarding engaging the clutch ranging from 10 to 50 times at about 1/2 to 3/4 throttle, imagine this is supposed to be similar to seating a new set of brake pads or a clutch in a manual tranny vehicle.

I recently accquired a 1994 GT6000, first ever electric pto for me, and have learned more than I thought there was to know about them, most notably, they are expensive little suckers.

I wonder what the average life expectancy of one is if treated reasonably well?

Dave

 

[J_J]

Most home owners machines using electric clutches. are only activated maybe once or twice a week. Commercial mowing, I would activate the clutch on my smaller Dixie Chopper, maybe 10 to 12 times a day. So it really depends on how you treat the electric clutch as to how long it will last. My electric clutch did have adjusting screws, and I am thinking .012 in on the gap between the clutch plates. Using some of the recommendations posted above, you perhaps could extend the life some what.

 

[mjncad]

mjncad, here's a link to another forum regarding transmisson issues with the JD L110/130. Hope you find it helpful.

http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=51673

Rossgtn:

Thanks for posting the thread on the trannies. If my tranny pukes, I think I'll just junk the blasted thing as it's reminding me too much of an S-10 pickup that I owned and kept on the road for too many years.

Unfortunately this non-serviceable tranny is an example of our throw away society. With all this 'green' environmental movement stuff we hear on TV, one would think that would spur manufacturers to make better quality products that don't end up in the landfill shortly after leaving the factory. But the other 'green' movement called money trumps the 'green' environmental one.

 

[daBear]

I have a 15 year or so old JD 285 Garden Tractor that has the electric clutch. I have had the mower for about 5 years and I am on my third clutch @ $150 or so a pop. I heard my wife re-engage the thing with the engine wide open the other day and jumped up and down about that. One of my boys was bad about that when he was at home also. I probably would be a few dollars ahead if the clutches had always been engaged at a low RPM.

Right now, I am thinking about getting an X540 and the only thing that is holding me back is the blasted electric clutch JD uses.

 

[mjncad]

Right now, I am thinking about getting an X540 and the only thing that is holding me back is the blasted electric clutch JD uses.

That's one of the reasons that if I had the bucks I'd go with an X700 series that has a hydraulic PTO if I recall correctly, along with shaft instead of belt drive.

I'd be willing to bet the X series electric clutches are no better than JD's units for the 100 series.

One way to find out is to go to www.jdparts.com and find the part number for a X540 electric clutch and the part number for a current LA series. If they are the same and/or the price is similar, you have your answer concerning the X series mower deck clutch.

 

[archerm3]

I've got a ten year old Husquarvarna (AYP) cheope 142 mower and I've been engaging that clutch at full speed ever since I got it, no problems.

 

[rossgtn]

Just a update:

Received new clutch assy. and got it installed. To remove the bolt I used a wrench on the flywheel nut to hold the crank, man that thing was tight. Anyway, with the new clutch and the stablizer bracket (included with the new clutch) installed I was ready to test. Started the motor and engaged the switch - nothing..... checked the wiring, everything checked out. Pulled the PTO switch and begin testing it. Thank goodness the switch is marked as NC no the poles. Anyway, everything was checking out until I got the the last pole. I got nothing. New switch has been ordered and should arrive today. The moral of this is that if the clutch "smokes" check the switch BEFORE ordering parts.