L2800 recall on PTO noise

[jcollins]

Here is a link to our web site where I have the service bulletin posted. Lansdowne-Moody Customer Care Warranty Notices

 

[ccsial]

The over-riding clutch (ORC) is what Kubota calls a slant cam. I attached a drawing of it. When you reduce the throttle the implement keeps the PTO shaft turning while the engine slows. The slant cam ratchets under these conditions to prevent the PTO shaft from over driving the mechanism.

You'll notice that as soon as you reduce the throttle you hear the ratcheting noise if you have a big implement attached. What I do is to slowly reduce the throttle and and then disengage the PTO as soon as I start to reduce power. Under these condition the slant cam is unloaded and beginning to ratchet. If you pushed the clutch in you would have the same condition only it would happen much faster and noisier.

I actually started by pushing in the clutch and then disengaging the PTO real fast so the noise didn't last long. Then I decided on closing the throttle instead of using the clutch. I use my left hand on the throttle with my right on the PTO lever.

This noise should not really hurt anything but it is annoying. I always associate noise with wear but I think the wear in this case is so slight it would never hurt anything.

You NEVER want to ENGAGE the PTO wihout the clutch. It is also important the clutch fully engages when you enable the PTO. If you notice the PTO lever binding or getting harder to engage, have it taken care of right away.

 

[Shimon]

Thanks. That was a good description.

 

[8226hamer]

I got to see The slants cams up close. My L2800 had about 20 hours on it when the PTO went out of it. They had to split the tractor and order the two cams and the engaging spring. It was a five week repair. From what I seen this is a poor set up. When the PTO is engaged, these cams mesh up and If I remember correct, when I was shown mine, the two cams were only about a 1/4"X1/4" which is not much steel to power any PTO driven equipment. I was told that my PTO cable was not adjusted right from the factory and the cams were not engaging all the way. The cams were rounded off and were not catching. This cable adjustment must be very critical and cables do stretch over time. I don't have much faith in this system. I haven't used the PTO much since the repair, but the last time I did the PTO would not disengage unless you pushed the clutch in several times after moving the PTO lever to the disengage position. I'm glad that Kubota has a 3 year warranty on this tractor. I think I'm going to need it. This tractor has spent more time in the shop than all my three previous Kubotas combined , and it's about to spend some more time there.

 

[ccsial]

Sorry to hear about all the trouble. If the PTO would not disengage using the clutch I would suspect the shaft is binding on the cam. That means it may not fully engage either. (very bad) It sounds like you may have a lemon. If they take it apart again make sure the cam slides freely on the shaft. One other thing to check is the early recall on these models. My dealer told me that my tractor was tagged as being fixed. I don't know what that fix was but it had to do with the PTO.

I think they could have a more rugged setup myself. I doubt I'll ever put my tiller on it. Tillers are pretty rough on the PTO in hard ground. I'll leave that to my 1910 which has proven very rugged over the years. They don't make em like they used to.

If the cam is fully engaged with a fairly constant load It will probably hold up OK though.