Comparing slip clutch rating to shear bolt rating

5030 · Apr 17, 2022

jyoutz said:
I just follow the general slip clutch directions and continue 1.5 turns. Seems to work.

Same here with one exception. Every spring I'll back off the spring tension bolts on all the slip clutches and slip them with the PTO a few dozen revolutions to remove any corrosion that might have got there over the winter from sitting. I measure the bolt protrusion (base to head first so I can reset them to the slip torque spec. You don't have that issue where you are, but I'd still slip them once in a while if the equipment sits outside in the weather or you wash it.

jyoutz · Apr 17, 2022

5030 said:
Same here with one exception. Every spring I'll back off the spring tension bolts on all the slip clutches and slip them with the PTO a few dozen revolutions to remove any corrosion that might have got there over the winter from sitting. I measure the bolt protrusion (base to head first so I can reset them to the slip torque spec. You don't have that issue where you are, but I'd still slip them once in a while if the equipment sits outside in the weather or you wash it.

I adjust mine every few years. My cutter sits under a carport type of steel shelter, protected from heavy rain, but still gets moisture from blowing snow. Humidity is low where I’m at except during the summer monsoon season when it is humid. When I do slip it, it’s never been locked up.

BeezFun · Apr 18, 2022

5030 said:
Every spring I'll back off the spring tension bolts on all the slip clutches and slip them with the PTO a few dozen revolutions to remove any corrosion that might have got there over the winter from sitting. I measure the bolt protrusion (base to head first so I can reset them to the slip torque spec. You don't have that issue where you are, but I'd still slip them once in a while if the equipment sits outside in the weather or you wash it.

I've started doing the same thing. My neighbor had a relatively new JD bush hog he bought with his tractor, probably only 3 years old when he tore the PTO shaft all to pieces when he hit something. Asked me to help him look at it. Turns out the slip clutch plates were rusted/corroded together and didn't provide any protection. I would guess his mower sat outside on the dealers lot for who knows how long, then he had it 3 years. That was enough to freeze the plates together.

One other thing I do is check the temp of my clutch right after every time I use it by carefully touching it in case it's hot. If it's hot I know the clutch has started slipping and I can adjust it before the plates are burned up.