Do I need a slip clutch?

[Brambleberry]

Someone told me I should get a slip clutch to prevent damage to my tractor's transmission if my pto powered implement would bind up on something. I have mostly old, very used implements and an old, very used MF TO-35 tractor. But it still runs really well considering! I've seen slip clutches you can just slide onto a six-spline pto like my tractor has, the question I have is do I need one? Or should most implements, even old ones, have a shear pin to break before the tractor's transmission would be damaged?

 

[greg_g]

Hard to say without knowing what kind of work you do with what kind of implements. Generally speaking, I've personally only seen slip clutches on six foot and larger rotary cutters - and tillers. I suppose you could fit one on a PHD, but I've never seen it done myself. That said - if you do light rotary cutter work and/or till or install posts in sandy or loamy soil - shear pin protection should be sufficient.

Not all 35s had two stage clutches however. If yours doesn't, you should probably consider buying an ORC (over-running clutch) for mowing.

//greg//

 

[flusher]

Someone told me I should get a slip clutch to prevent damage to my tractor's transmission if my pto powered implement would bind up on something. I have mostly old, very used implements and an old, very used MF TO-35 tractor. But it still runs really well considering! I've seen slip clutches you can just slide onto a six-spline pto like my tractor has, the question I have is do I need one? Or should most implements, even old ones, have a shear pin to break before the tractor's transmission would be damaged?

Depends on the implement.

My 6-ft Hawkline brush hog came with a slip clutch.

My MF-124 baler came with shear bolts, a slip clutch and a sprag clutch (a type of over running clutch), all on implement end of the drive shaft.

I added a slip clutch to my 4-ft Yanmar RS-1200 rototiller because I couldn't find a shear bolt anywhere on that thing. Better safe than sorry.

My MF41 7-ft sicklebar mower, my 7-ft Allis Chalmers pull-type sicklebar mower, and my JD 350 side delivery hay rake all run off the tractor's pto shaft and all have a V-belt drive. So I figure a slip clutch isn't needed since the V-belt will slip or break if a jam occurs.

 

[MikeD74T]

I've seen slip clutches you can just slide onto a six-spline pto like my tractor has, the question I have is do I need one? Or should most implements, even old ones, have a shear pin to break before the tractor's transmission would be damaged?

A slip clutch is adjustable whereas a shear pin requires significant force to break. With the clutch you choose how much force is transferred to your drive train. Also changing broken shear pins is a PITA. No piece of your drivetrain is cheaper than a slip clutch. MikeD74T

 

[Soundguy]

Many mowers have shear bolts.. but a slip clutch is a great upgrade!

soundguy

Someone told me I should get a slip clutch to prevent damage to my tractor's transmission if my pto powered implement would bind up on something. I have mostly old, very used implements and an old, very used MF TO-35 tractor. But it still runs really well considering! I've seen slip clutches you can just slide onto a six-spline pto like my tractor has, the question I have is do I need one? Or should most implements, even old ones, have a shear pin to break before the tractor's transmission would be damaged?

 

[spruce Deere]

I will second soundguy on a great upgrade. I much prefer slip clutch vs. shear bolts, pins for tilling, hoggn' almost anything

 

[Highbeam]

My 5 foot rotary mower has a slip clutch on the implement end of course and the slip clutch is labeled "implement end only" and I love it. I would not want to be fiddling with shear pins while in the middle of a mowing project. I have had implements with shear pins and it's not as though they break off clean, they kind of bend and half way break meaning I need to drive the remaining pin out of the hole and then try to realign the holes for the new shear pin and then use tools blah blah blah. You don't even know it happened with a slip clutch.

I would not be worried about the drivetrain of a tractor if the implement had proper shear pin protection. It is entirely a benefit to the operator in terms of time, money, and convenience.

 

[GasNSteering]

Is an overrunning clutch the same thing as a slip clutch?

 

[kebo]

Is an overrunning clutch the same thing as a slip clutch?

Nope, they serve two different purposes. The overrunning clutch allows the PTO output shaft to drive an implement, but it does not allow an implement to "drive" the PTO output shaft. When/if that happens the PTO output shaft can actually start driving the rear end due to the way some transmission/rear end/PTO are designed.

If that happens with certain tractors, it can cause the tractor to move forward when you actually want it to stop, thus creating a possibly dangerous situation. Whenever you hear an overrunning clutch make a ratcheting noise, it's allowing the implements PTO shaft spin faster than the PTO without affecting the tractor.

A slip clutch basically takes the place of a shearbolt. It allows the implement to "slip" its rotational speed relative to a PTO output shaft spinning at 540 RPM.This allows for variations in speed such as when a blade hits a stump and it tries to slow down REAL quick, thus helping to protect the pto driveline and transmission.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

You can buy a slipclutch down here where I am at for less than $100.00 as far as I am concerned it is well worth that for not having to deal with shear bolts, just remember every year when you get your mower out for the first mowing loosen those springs on that slipclutch and bump the PTO in gear and make sure it slips and is not froze up. Good luck.

 

[Bedlam]

Agri Supply - Search Results for slip clutch

 

[Willl]

MF TO-35 tractor

Might that be the 'gas' version ?

What's your approx loc ?

 

[Brambleberry]

yeah, its the gas version. I'm in southern IN, Paoli way. Perched top a ridge.

 

[Brambleberry]

Hey all, thanks for the info on slip clutches! Especially slip clutches vs. override clutches--I think I was about to spring for an override clutch and try to use it like a slip clutch which I think would totally not work. My thought was that having a slip clutch on the tractor end (on the six-spline pto stub) would let me use all my old implements with slip clutch protection for the drive train. But from what I've been hearing, I think slip clutches are pretty much only for the implement end and you need one for each implement. Am I right? Or does anyone know of a "tractor-end" slip clutch?

Also, I busted a PTO shaft when my flail mower got a fresh walnut branch wound around in it, and I've heard that belt-drive implements shouldn't need a slip clutch or shear bolt since the belt should slip if the implement is bound. Well, this happened on my flail mower and the belt sure didn't slip, it sheared off the square tubing of the pto on the implement end and I am wondering what's the deal? All I can think of is 1) I really do need a slip clutch or shear bolt on the flail mower, or 2) that pto shaft was already cracked and ready to bust, and thus weaker than the belt. The break line on the tubing was bright new metal on one side, but a little rusty on the other side of the break, this makes me think it already had a crack. What do you all think?

Also, does anyone know where to buy just the plastic pto guard (this one didn't have a guard and I'm just lucky that spinning pto didn't throw shrapnel into me!) I could put in this pto if I get it welded with new square tubing?

 

[workmytractor]

I really need to look into getting a slip clutch. I shear at least one pin if not three everytime I bushhog. At 2 dollars per bolt it will not take long to make the clutch pay for itself if I can get one for around a 100 dollars.

Are there any particular brands recommended?

 

[greg_g]

Aanyone know where to buy just the plastic pto guard (this one didn't have a guard and I'm just lucky that spinning pto didn't throw shrapnel into me!) I could put in this pto if I get it welded with new square tubing?

Rural King has everything you need, tubing/sleeves/yokes/etc. But the separate bits aren't cheap. Depending upon the nature of the repair, it's often cheaper just to buy a complete new shaft.

Sounds like you had a pre-existing fault on that PTO shaft, cuz the belt definitely should have gone before the driveline. Slip clutch belongs on the implement for safety sake. Putting one behind the driver's seat - with all those spinning protrusions - is an invitation to disaster

//greg//

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Paoli Indiana huh? Been there a few times. Got a friend who lives in Ramsey.

Anyway.... A slip clutch is a good investement. They save equipment from premature destruction. I know there's a TSC in Corydon, which isn't too far from you. They'll have 'em. Once you get it, find out what brand and then contact the manufacturer for a chart on spring pre-load for specific horsepower ratings. Your TO35 should be 32hp.

 

[Soundguy]

Some implements do hav ethe torque limiter on the tractor end.. I have a jd batwing like this. however.. most of my other slip clutch implements have the clutch at the gearbox.. etc.

soundguy

Hey all, thanks for the info on slip clutches! Especially slip clutches vs. override clutches--I think I was about to spring for an override clutch and try to use it like a slip clutch which I think would totally not work. My thought was that having a slip clutch on the tractor end (on the six-spline pto stub) would let me use all my old implements with slip clutch protection for the drive train. But from what I've been hearing, I think slip clutches are pretty much only for the implement end and you need one for each implement. Am I right? Or does anyone know of a "tractor-end" slip clutch?

Also, I busted a PTO shaft when my flail mower got a fresh walnut branch wound around in it, and I've heard that belt-drive implements shouldn't need a slip clutch or shear bolt since the belt should slip if the implement is bound. Well, this happened on my flail mower and the belt sure didn't slip, it sheared off the square tubing of the pto on the implement end and I am wondering what's the deal? All I can think of is 1) I really do need a slip clutch or shear bolt on the flail mower, or 2) that pto shaft was already cracked and ready to bust, and thus weaker than the belt. The break line on the tubing was bright new metal on one side, but a little rusty on the other side of the break, this makes me think it already had a crack. What do you all think?

Also, does anyone know where to buy just the plastic pto guard (this one didn't have a guard and I'm just lucky that spinning pto didn't throw shrapnel into me!) I could put in this pto if I get it welded with new square tubing?

 

[Soundguy]

I really need to look into getting a slip clutch. I shear at least one pin if not three everytime I bushhog. At 2 dollars per bolt it will not take long to make the clutch pay for itself if I can get one for around a 100 dollars.

Are there any particular brands recommended?

2$ yikes.. are your shear bolts / pins something special that you can't use a soft grade 2 bolt in place of.. 2$ buys alot of grade 2 bolts!

soundguy

 

[MikeD74T]

Brambleberry, I use a splined slip clutch on my tractor. It's true that newer equipment ofter comes with protection on the equipment, but as long as it slips when it's supposed to both ends are protected. How many do you want to buy??? I don't see an advantage to having one on each piece of equipment spending most of their time sitting unused vs having one on the tractor getting more frequent use other than the equipment mount being adjusted for that specific equipment. If it's infrequently used you got to adjust it each time anyway!!
For what it's worth I don't see the 6 spinning bolts & springs on a tractor end being any more an invitation to disaster that anything else pto associated.

Workmytractor, More than saving the price of grade 2 bolts, you'll save the time of pounding out the old one & installing a new one, which is better spent working your tractor. MikeD74T