PTO clutch?

[handirifle]

My neighbor loaned me his Kubota tractor that has a PTO driven log splitter attached, which is why I borrowed it. No idea what model the tractor is, but he thinks it's a 21HP, and it's a 4cyl, 2WD. The sheet metal is ALL gone. He bought it as a roll over, 20+ years ago, and the metal was ruined, so he took it off.

He told me about this issue, but I am wondering about the cause.

When using the splitter, for no obvious reason, and at random times, the PTO will stop spinning when you engage the hyd lever for the splitter. You can actually watch the PTO slow and stop, if you keep the lever engaged.

The odd thing is you might split logs for an hour before it happens and it may or may not keep doing it. I can switch the high/low range and it will come back, but usually will repeat the situation, no matter what the range. He says he doesn't notice the clutch slipping when driving, so does the PTO have it's own clutch?

 

[dex3361]

My neighbor loaned me his Kubota tractor that has a PTO driven log splitter attached, which is why I borrowed it. No idea what model the tractor is, but he thinks it's a 21HP, and it's a 4cyl, 2WD. The sheet metal is ALL gone. He bought it as a roll over, 20+ years ago, and the metal was ruined, so he took it off.

He told me about this issue, but I am wondering about the cause.

When using the splitter, for no obvious reason, and at random times, the PTO will stop spinning when you engage the hyd lever for the splitter. You can actually watch the PTO slow and stop, if you keep the lever engaged.

The odd thing is you might split logs for an hour before it happens and it may or may not keep doing it. I can switch the high/low range and it will come back, but usually will repeat the situation, no matter what the range. He says he doesn't notice the clutch slipping when driving, so does the PTO have it's own clutch?

Post some pics of the machine so that it can be identified.

 

[brain55]

There should be an ID plate, either on the front axle frame, or on the clutch housing right above the steps. Or the model and serial number stamped into the clutch housing above one the steps.

Brian

 

[PILOON]

I'll call this a generic answer.

Just a guess, but sounds to me as if the 'dedent' spring loaded ball has lost it's tension or pressure.
Could be rusted out or simply clogged.

This spring loaded ball will probably be located in the fork assembly but also could be part of the PTO shift arm, and hopefully external.
Your parts book will better show this.

This would not be a major repair but continued usage could wear the teeth corners round and make for later costly repairs.
Caught in time and corrected will save the PTO gearing as each time it slips out of engagement it will tend to round off the teeth corners a bit at a time.

One temp repair would be to lash or wedge the PTO shift lever in position (if the problem is in fact the dedent ball).
When shifting in and out of PTO you should actually feel a slight CLICK as that spring loaded ball pops into the slot.

Hope this helps.
Good luck.

 

[handirifle]

I'll call this a generic answer.

Just a guess, but sounds to me as if the 'dedent' spring loaded ball has lost it's tension or pressure.
Could be rusted out or simply clogged.

This spring loaded ball will probably be located in the fork assembly but also could be part of the PTO shift arm, and hopefully external.
Your parts book will better show this.

This would not be a major repair but continued usage could wear the teeth corners round and make for later costly repairs.
Caught in time and corrected will save the PTO gearing as each time it slips out of engagement it will tend to round off the teeth corners a bit at a time.

One temp repair would be to lash or wedge the PTO shift lever in position (if the problem is in fact the dedent ball).
When shifting in and out of PTO you should actually feel a slight CLICK as that spring loaded ball pops into the slot.

Hope this helps.
Good luck.

First, it's not mine, it's a loaner, and I doubt the owner has a manual, he might but don't know.

Maybe I wasn't clear in my description of the problem. It never skips out of gear, no gears clash. It simply slows down when under load. Not the engine, but the PTO shaft. To me, it seems like it's a clutch, but it spins at normal speed, then when the valve is actuated to move the piston, UP OR DOWN, the PTO slows to about 5-10 rpm, and it's NOT constant, or predictable.

When it's working normal, the engine DOES slow when the splitter is under load, but when it's doing it's "thing" the engine doesn't miss a beat, even though the PTO slows to a crawl.

I mess with the H/L levers out of frustration, but changing USUALLY works, but not always. Heck, it did it about once every 2 mins, for about 4-5 times, then worked perfect for the next 45 min. The owners says it does the same to him then will work for an hour or more. Then out of the clear blue, it slows again. Very odd.



I will look and see if I can find an identifying number. Also will try to post a pic, but prepare yourself on that one:thumbsup:

 

[dex3361]

You are probably right on the PTO. A lot of Kubota tractors have a hydraulically actuated clutch pack. You move a lever that operates a valve that applies pressure to the clutch pack. If the hydraulic pressure is not available to keep the clutches pressed together the the clutch can slip.

 

[handirifle]

You are probably right on the PTO. A lot of Kubota tractors have a hydraulically actuated clutch pack. You move a lever that operates a valve that applies pressure to the clutch pack. If the hydraulic pressure is not available to keep the clutches pressed together the the clutch can slip.

Hmmm, I wonder if this is something as simple as reving the engine a little? Maybe too little hydro pressure on the clutches?

 

[dex3361]

Hmmm, I wonder if this is something as simple as reving the engine a little? Maybe too little hydro pressure on the clutches?

Might want to check the hydraulic pressure.

 

[handirifle]

How do you do that?

 

[tallyho8]

My new Kubota L4400 has the same problem as I have mentioned in another thread. Right now it is split apart at the dealers where they have been working on it for over a month.

 

[handirifle]

My new Kubota L4400 has the same problem as I have mentioned in another thread. Right now it is split apart at the dealers where they have been working on it for over a month.

Wow thats a bummer. Hope they figure it out soon. Prob no hope for this old beast then.

 

[brain55]

Wow thats a bummer. Hope they figure it out soon. Prob no hope for this old beast then.

As soon as you can give us an ID, either by the tag on the machine or by pictures, we can give a better idea of what is wrong, and how much of a job it is to fix.

Brian

 

[Yankee Clipper]

Handifrifle,

I understand it is a borrowed rig and you probably are not motivated to fix it. But you did post the problem so I think you want to try and figure it out.

All small Kubotas (B/L) use the drive plate or clutch as a drive member in the PTO system. If the travel clutch is slipping, then the PTO - even if an independent PTO (IPTO) will be effected by the slipping clutch.

I am assuming the tractor's PTO is engaged with a control handle only - this would be an independent PTO. If you have to clutch it, move a handle and then release the clutch, this type would be a live PTO.

Some of the old tractors (L/M) also used two stage clutches where you pushed it halfway and the travel stopped and all the way to make the PTO stop turning.

So if you can make the PTO start turning again by messing with the speed and range levers, I would think you have a live PTO with some issue on the travel clutch.

Good luck!

YC

 

[handirifle]

Yea it was borrowed, and now rests back home with it's owner. He lives about a mile up our dirt road, and I didn't notice anything unusual about the clutch on the way back with it, even up one fairly good grade. He said it's been doing it for years.

I did have to disengage the clutch to stop the PTO or activate it, so it must be a diect link to the main clutch. Very odd.