L5450 pto clutch

[rbargeron]

The clutch disk is clamped between the flywheel and the pressure plate - the throw-out bearing pushes against the pressure plate mechanism, removing the clamping force on the clutch disk, which is then free to turn independently of the flywheel/pressure plate.

With the gearbox lever down the pto shaft is connected to the clutch disk, so if you can't turn it, the pto clutch is not disengaging. The reason could be (1) insufficient movement of the linkage or (2) stuck clutch disk.

The throw-out bearing doesn't have to travel very far, once it contacts the pressure plate. If you have the linkage adjusted so there's very little play, then the normal lifting of the handle should give plenty of travel to disengage it. But if the clutch had been left engaged a long time (with the switch defeated because of the bent linkage) it could be stuck with rust on the flywheel and pressure plate.

The fact that your linkage was bent might be a clue that the prior owner had some trouble with the pto clutch too. Have you used the pto? How long have you had the rig?

If you are pretty sure the linkage is adjusted ok and the pto clutch still won't let go, the next step would be to put a big ol'e brush hog on and do some brush grinding with the pto handle UP. That will work the clutch disk free without harming anything. You'll know when it has popped free because the mower will stop. Then just drop the hand lever and it should go again.

Where in the country are you located? email me at rbjs@attbi.com if you prefer. I've made about 10 assumptions here so my usual offer applies - cheerful refund if info is bogus ! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Dick B

 

[BurningtreeFarm]

Dick:
Thanks again for your reply and information/opinion, I had come to the stuck clutch assumption also as there is absolutely no resistance in the clutch lever now that everything is straight. The lever did pull like it was actuating something but that turned out to be the linkage rubbing due to the bendage I had.Yes I have used the pto brush hogging, post hole digger, manure spreader,the pto clutch had been disengaging and engaging so maybe as you have suggested some heavy work to set it free,I have been a little apprehensive to run the tractor but now with a second opion I'll run it and see what happens, lever up I had not thought of so thanks for that one. I'm located in south central Mich. and am a little embarrassed to say how long Ive owned this unit before noticing this.
I'am pretty confident that I did'nt do any of the damage to the arms as I havent been up over anything except flat ground and know for sure that I did'nt roll anything up from the tires either Thanks again Dick, Tim

 

[rbargeron]

If there's no resistance at the hand lever it is possible there is something more serious wrong in the bellhousing. Even if the clutch is stuck, the throw-out bearing would still push the pressure plate springs back and there should definitely be resistance at the lever.

Has the pto clutch worked ok until recently?

 

[BurningtreeFarm]

Iwould say yes,as of late I have been digging post holes, engaging what would be the pto gear shift lever (lever at left foot) and using the pto clutch lever to start and stop the digger and it seemed to function fine, had resistance on the pto clutch lever but as I stated earlier that could have been the rubbing. Tim

 

[rbargeron]

It's likely the resistance was just the normal operation of the pressure plate - if it ran ok, starting and stopping the post hole digger then the clutch isn't stuck - it takes months if not years of no use for a clutch to stick.

Can you start and stop it now? If not its linkage adjustment.

 

[BurningtreeFarm]

Dick:
In the words of the late great Rosanne RosannaDanna
" NEVER MIND " /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif The reason I had absolutely no resistance in the control lever is that I was adjusting in the wrong direction,/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gifI was pushing the lever at the bell housing all the way forward and starting from there, totally opposite of how it was supposed to be, the lever at the bellhousing was supposed to be to the rear, the throw I was always reffering to is the travel in the collar and I was never throwing out the clutch hence no resistance,
Now all your suggestions of lever down clutch control lever down all works, THANKS AGAIN a whole bunch Tim

 

[rbargeron]

It's always somethin' /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Glad it's ok. These tractors are extremely rugged - not much the average owner could do to hurt them. The L5450 is even slightly beefier than the current M4900/M5700, weighing about 10% more. People are calling the new MX5000 a "big" tractor - but the L5450 has more of everything. Keep in touch.
Dick