JD 5105 PTO Slipping?

deere5105 · Aug 8, 2010

Noticed yesterday while running my JD MX6 cutter in thick grass that it quit cutting. Raised it up and it picked back up and would cut fine. Next pass when I get to the thick grass it slows or stops again. First thought was the slip clutch was slipping. Tightened up slip clutch today, sharpened blades and tried it again. I had the same results again. The tractor is not loading up when it begins to slip. We also have a 6' Howse cutter with a shear pin set up. I hooked to it and again had the same results. Tractor is a 2004 with 370 hrs. I have spent probably 60% to 70% of these hours with the cutter running. My thoughts are the PTO clutch on the tractor is slipping. I have no issues changing gears or the clutch slipping on the transmission. Any thoughts or ideas as to what is happening?

deere5105 · Aug 9, 2010

Was able to talk with local shop foreman at dealership. He recommended checking the adjustment on the PTO lever first. Found the adjustment procedure in manual. Noticed after adjusting lever feels much "firmer" and seemed to make a more positive engagement. Went back to same spot causing slipping and had no problems. Tractor would bog now before cutter would quit turning. Another example of how a good dealership can make a owning a tractor so much more enjoyable. He could have easily suggested I bring it in and charged a few hundred to do a 10 minute job.

Willl · Aug 9, 2010

Was this what you did ?

OMRE72817: 5105 and 5205 Tractors, Block File: AG_OUO1032_2629_19_18SEP03.htm

deere5105 · Aug 10, 2010

Willl said:
Was this what you did ?

OMRE72817: 5105 and 5205 Tractors, Block File: AG_OUO1032_2629_19_18SEP03.htm

It is. I wasn't able to get the top jam nut near the turn buckle loose because I didn't have enough room to move the wrench. I was able to remove the clip and the lower shackle from the bracket, loosen the jam nut on this end and twist the shackle up on the rod to shorten. I made several turns on it and reinstalled. I now notice the lever is much harder to engage, but it seems the engagement is more "firm". So long as there is a complete disengagement should there be any concern that I over tightened this adjustment? Would there be any long term concerns? Shop foreman told me if left out of adjustment that the slipping would eventually cause the PTO clutches to burn up.