L3400 PTO Cable

[mjfox6]

Just so it is documented, the PTO cable on my L3400 (170 hours) did not disengage this weekend.

I was checking out the tractor and bushhog to get ready for the upcoming season. I had a long list of things to do, the last being lubricate the PTO cable since I had never done it. I was on the second to last one, adjust the slip clutch, and when I engaged the PTO to slip the clutch, it would not disengage. It appears the cable kinked and did not go back into the sleeve. I was able to guide it in with my other hand and get it to shut off.

I pulled back the dust cover and spayed it with silicone, then moved in back and forth. I climbed under the tractor and did the other end of the cable since I was doing it.

I used the bushhog for a few hours yesterday and was able to successfully shut the PTO off every time without an issue.

The moral of the story...Move lubricating PTO cable to the top of your list! I plan on doing mine every 10 hours, when I lubricate the bucket and bushhog. I hope that is often enough.

 

[art]

Your kind of working from behind. I'd stay on the ten hour program for a while but when it starts working easier you could cut back.

 

[canoetrpr]

mjfox - thanks for posting this.. I've got a 100 hrs on mine and I haven't lubricated it yet. I've been meaning to - just don't remember to do it. Your post has reminded me to make this a priority.

This is basically a spray on lube that you are applying ? Where did it kink? Where are you lubing it - by the engagement lever?

 

[mjfox6]

mjfox - thanks for posting this.. I've got a 100 hrs on mine and I haven't lubricated it yet. I've been meaning to - just don't remember to do it. Your post has reminded me to make this a priority.

This is basically a spray on lube that you are applying ? Where did it kink? Where are you lubing it - by the engagement lever?

This is the spray I used: Teflon Silicone Lubricant - 10 Oz. Aerosol

It kinked right below the engagement lever. Like I said, I was able to use one hand on the lever and one on the cable to keep it from kinking and get it to shut off. To lube it, I pulled back the dust cover and sprayed in the lubricant. Then, I moved the engagement lever back and forth several times and then sprayed it again.

I also found the other end of the cable and lubricated it as well.

 

[ccsial]

I'm at 165 hours so I guess I'd bet get to it.

I went out and looked at the cable and If mine needs replacement I think I will get one of my mechanical engineers to design a lever to replace the cable. The shroud that covers the area under the seat could be laser cut to allow a lever to protrude through the front. No more cable. That would put the PTO lever about the same place it is on my 1910. I would cut the shroud so that it would lock on and off to prevent bumping it with my foot. The lever might also be able to protrude through the top of the shroud and be out of the way of a foot.

With the cable gone there is not a chance of stretching or cable mis-adjustment which can be catastophic for the clutch.

This whole cable idea is not what I consider good engineering. Kind of like a flat roof, Just a matter of when.

 

[Marcussen]

Kubota has changed the PTO cable brackets due to frequent PTO cable failures, my L2800 has had two cables replaced, the last time they also put the new style bracket on it. 165 hours on it now. If your L2800/L3400 has a PTO cable failure and you are still under warranty tell the dealer you want the bracket replaced.

 

[canoetrpr]

ccsia - I completely agree. Surprises me that Kubota also uses this on the Grand L 3240s.

You sure you don't wan't to produce a bunch of these levers for the rest of us

 

[ccsial]

ccsia - I completely agree. Surprises me that Kubota also uses this on the Grand L 3240s.

You sure you don't wan't to produce a bunch of these levers for the rest of us

If I have to do it I will document it. I could see making the parts available. Cutting the shroud would be the worst part. Could be done with a sablre saw though.

Marcussen,
I am trying to envison how a different bracket makes the cable more reliable. Can you tell us how this new bracket is different and which end of the cable gets the new bracket.

 

[Marcussen]

If I have to do it I will document it. I could see making the parts available. Cutting the shroud would be the worst part. Could be done with a sablre saw though.

Marcussen,
I am trying to envison how a different bracket makes the cable more reliable. Can you tell us how this new bracket is different and which end of the cable gets the new bracket.

The bracket on the lever end is changed so the angle is reduced between the movable lever and the bolted bracket, both of my cables that was replaced was kinked in this area. Only time will tell if this realy fixes the problem or not , but it looks like it should help anyway.

 

[ccsial]

The bracket on the lever end is changed so the angle is reduced between the movable lever and the bolted bracket, both of my cables that was replaced was kinked in this area. Only time will tell if this realy fixes the problem or not , but it looks like it should help anyway.

Thanks Marcussen: I see what they are doing there now. The force vector will be more in line with the cable instead of from the side. That sure should help.