John Deere 4700 (elc pto) clicking / ratcheting noise from PTO output shaft area

[Brown Dog]

New to forum, please forgive me.

This noise happens worse when no attachment is hooked up & I crank tractor.
Noise is still present engaging & disengaging the PTO.

Seems to click when pto shaft us jus free-wheeling (turning)

Noise doesn't seem to happen with attachment hooked to PTO, but will start this clicking after engaging or disengaging electric PTO switch.
I then have to shut the engine off for it to quit.

It's very loud & sounds terrible.

It changes with rpm & seems worse with cold engine.

I drained Hyd fluid, cleaned steel mesh filter & replaced the spin on filter with NO change.

Does the elc pto have some sort of brake mechanism that could be ratcheting.

It engages & disengages fine & I don't use it with this noise present.

Any help for this Poultry Farmer ?

 

[Brown Dog]

Anybody ?

 

[RoyJackson]

I've read of this problem before...IIRC (and it's been quite a while), there's a ratchet mechanism that is part of the clutch pack...breakage or wear was the problem...but again, it's been quite a while since I read this.
Anyway, do a search for PTO problems and focus in the Deere forum. It wasn't a 4700...probably a 4300 or 4310.

Our TBN brother, dfkrug, probably knows more about the 4x00 series Deeres then anyone....he's rebuilt a few. He, if you PM him, may be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[RogerH]

You may want to take a look at the spring disc coupler attached to the flywheel of the engine. If some springs are broken, then engine pulses transmitted through the PTO drive can cause the PTO to chatter. You may be able to look at it using the hole in the transmission just ahead of the operator's foot platform.

 

[dfkrug]

Does the elc pto have some sort of brake mechanism that could be ratcheting.

Yes, there is an electric brake for the PTO.

Generally if a tractor has electric PTO and no foot clutch, the maker uses a wet,
multi-plate clutch to stop the PTO when you turn it off.

Problem is that when you turn the PTO off at higher RPM and with a high-momentum
implement attached, it can break. That was true for both the JD 4300s I rebuilt.
In the 2nd one, I eliminated the brake instead of replacing the broken parts. This
may be your problem, if the 4700 is made like the 4200/4300/4400.

One of my rebuilds is here:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/146974-john-deere-4300-complete-rebuild.html

(Thanks, Roy.)

 

[dfkrug]

You might try this to find out what the problem is:

Drain the hyd oil and remove the rear PTO shaft plate. It is not hard to do. Once
open, you have access to the sump and you will see parts of the PTO brake
system lying in there. Or not. Tell us what you find.

Again, this assumes your 4700 is substantially similar to the slightly smaller 4300.

 

[Brown Dog]

Thanks dfkrug,
Your pto brake explanation, sounds spot on because it is a ratcheting noise as pto is turning.
I'll keep you guys posted after I get time to open it up.

Thanks for everybodies replies.

 

[dfkrug]

Your pto brake explanation, sounds spot on because it is a ratcheting noise as pto is turning.
I'll keep you guys posted after I get time to open it up.

What did you find in there? I hope you have not been without a tractor all summer!

 

[Brown Dog]

I hadn't had time to open it up yet.