PTO Problems

[woodlandfarms]

Well, I went out to test my new rig on my mower and the PTO is acting up.

It sounds / acts like it is restricted somehow. When I flip the switch the engine bogs down and the mower spins slowly.

I don't know how to test this problem so I am looking for some advice on this one. Of course I missed Terry as it is now 2P.

Part of me feels there is some sort of restriction happening, but I have no clue where. There is oil in the hoses, and I have a full tank of oil.

I thought it ran fine when I first started out then started acting up but it may have been bad all along as I was not looking at the RPM of the mower.

Oh, this is my only PTO implement at the moment.

 

[Rip]

Just to make sure..... Are you ramping the RPMs up to full speed after turning the PTO ON? While rated pressure is usually available from just above idle on up, flow is generaly proportional to engine/pump speed. If there is air or foam in the PTO circuit you would get less than full performance also.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Ponytug mentions that maybe I shook something junk loose in the mower head. I guess it is possible. The mower does spin freely.

Yes, I do ramp up.

I think it was working fine then I got into a bramble pile and came back out and the system was bogging... Turned off the PTO and bogging stopped.

The mower motor spins, just slowly.

I was wondering as I have been finding debris in my filters... Coud the connectors get plugged up? They are just the standard connectors. Wayne County? is this possible or should I look elsewhere for obstructions (which would be odd as all heck, but I have been pulling lots of hoses lately).

Carl

 

[BobRip]

Could something be wrapped up on the spindle?

 

[J_J]

Well, I went out to test my new rig on my mower and the PTO is acting up.

It sounds / acts like it is restricted somehow. When I flip the switch the engine bogs down and the mower spins slowly.

I don't know how to test this problem so I am looking for some advice on this one. Of course I missed Terry as it is now 2P.

Part of me feels there is some sort of restriction happening, but I have no clue where. There is oil in the hoses, and I have a full tank of oil.

I thought it ran fine when I first started out then started acting up but it may have been bad all along as I was not looking at the RPM of the mower.

Oh, this is my only PTO implement at the moment.

Carl,

You have a female end on one hose and a male fitting on the other. Just plug them together, and turn the PTO on. If the PTO is working, the engine will not bog down . If the motor on the implement is plugged or by-passing, it will do as you said. If your hoses are breaking down, It may be time to replace the hoses for the PTo circuit. Have you ever changed out the hydraulic fluid? Over time, It may become acidic, and deteriorate things.

 

[woodlandfarms]

thanks JJ, I will do that test tomorrow.

No, there is nothing on the spindle. Either my pump is going or there is something plugged up.

The oil is new, 80 hours. but I have replaced the 2 steering hoses, all 6 Wheel motor hoses, and the hose from the filter to the tram pump.

When I changed out the charger filter (the high pressure filter) I had all sorts of junk on the screen, big particles. In digging around the body and the rest of the PT I am sure I am moving old hoses around.

You guys have said there are 3 pumps on the PT. Maybe the 1850 is weird, but I only count 2. But one runs PTO and Steering (and lift?)

Terry once said he thought I might be getting air in the system. The only issue with that for me is that my engine is bogging, like the PTO is on but nothing is hooked up to it.

Again, does anyone know if connectors can plug (the big ones?)

Carl

 

[duane]

Possibility is your electric PTO solenoid is not full stroking. It requires a good 12 volts plus to full stroke.

 

[Bob999]

Possibility is your electric PTO solenoid is not full stroking. It requires a good 12 volts plus to full stroke.

Also PT had a problem with over torqueing the nut on the solenoid that activitates the PTO. If overtorqued it causes binding. Mine failed after 4 years. The failure occured while I was mowing. PT replaced it without charge even though it was out of the written warranty period.

 

[J_J]

Possibility is your electric PTO solenoid is not full stroking. It requires a good 12 volts plus to full stroke.

Duane, You could be right about the PTO solenoid hanging up. Letting some fluid go to the output hose which would be dead headed.


Carl,

I would recommend that you connect the PTO hoses together for several reasons, One is to help keep the fittings from picking up sand and debris. Second, with the two hoses connected together, you have a safety factor there which will keep your PTO pump or hoses from bursting, if you inadvertently activate the PTO switch.

To check if the PTO switch is leaking or bypassing, take the quick disconnect off the output hose, and put in a clean container. Start up the PT with the PTO switch off. If any fluid is coming out of the hose, you have a leaking solenoid, the coil is not seated, or there is crud in the valve. You might flip the switch several times to dislodge any crud or debris.

You do not want to deadhead the pump, which means you are trying to force fluid under pressure to a closed end. The relief valve may protect it, maybe not.

Before I replaced my PTO pump, I was using my flail mower, and noticed the motor would start up fast and then would slow down and almost stop. I tried other implements, and same thing, telling me the pump was not preforming well. Took it off and had it tested, and they said it was dead, and not worth rebuilding , so I ordered a new one .

You probably have three pumps, The steering system only needs about 3 to 5 gpm to operate. PTO pump put out about 18 gpm I believe. Do you have two pumps piggy backed on the tram pump. there should be an input hose and an output hose on each pump.

Post a picture of your pump system, left and right side.

 

[MossRoad]

On our 2001 model year PT425 there is one pump for travel. That is the variable volume pump. It is located in front of the engine.
http://www.mossroad.com/PT425Pictures/PT425VarVolPump.jpg

Then there is a second pump with two sections piggybacked onto each other. One is the main PTO pump and the second section is the aux pto/lift/steering pump. It is located on the rear of the engine.
http://www.mossroad.com/PT425Pictures/PT425PTOPump.jpg

On the newer model years, all three pumps are piggybacked together on the front of the engine, which moves the engine more towards the rear of the tractor.

There are several variations of the pump layouts from year to year. And, of course, the larger model tractors are different as well.