Internal PTO clutch on 4940C? Maka?

Stampeder · Jun 8, 2008

I snapped a grade 5 bolt on my bush hog pto shaft the other day and I've been considering adding a clutch to it. The bush hog (actually a 5 foot King Kutter) is pretty old but normally works just fine. I was replacing the bolt and talking with one of the old local cowboys about it. He told me most modern tractors have a built in PTO slip clutch and I shouldn't have to add one on the bush hog pto shaft.
Maka, does the 4940C have such a clutch or should I go ahead and put one on?
How has the spring been up there? I was up in Calgary over the last weekend and it was much cooler than Texas.

Glenn.

montanaman · Jun 9, 2008

I'll give you my take on things. There is a clutch for the PTO to engage it and in a very bad case, it may slip but you don't want it to. The bolt on your cutter should be a grade 0 so that it will fail before you twist the drive shaft.

I'd say for the cost of it, just add a slip clutch to the rotary cutter. Not that expensive and it will save you from the trouble of changing out shear bolts in the future.

Ken

Maka · Jun 9, 2008

Hi Ken,

I would not suggest doing anything with the tractor. If the pto is engaging to hard have your dealer look at it and adjust it a bit but you don't want it slipping as it will do damage.

I would do as Ken says and just add a slip clutch to the mower.

Maka

Stampeder · Jun 24, 2008

Thanks guys, I thought that was the case with the clutch.
I would rather add a slip clutch that have to pull my tractor apart and pay for repair of the damage.

I was always told to use grade 5 bolts on the shaft not grade 0. Hmmm.

Glenn.

Maka · Jun 24, 2008

Grade 5 is what you want. Less is weaker and any more will possibly do damage.

Maka

Stampeder · Jun 29, 2008

Thanks Maka, I thought grade 5 was the ticket. I usually start my pto at idle and then ramp it up from there. I don't like it when mechanical things start with a bang.....something always gets broke eventually.

On another subject, have you ever had a back window of a cab tractor break from heat stress. Mine exploded on me last week while I was mowing. Scared the c&*p out of me. It was really hot. This one is the older blue LG Montana it sat in Kansas for about 4 years as a demo, then I bought it and had a new style FEL installed. It's a fantastic little tractor. Works it's heart out and just keeps on plugging away. I changed to synthetic oil and what a difference. Runs cooler than before doing the same job.

Cheers.
Glenn.