Mowing PTO Slip Clutch Question

[Bluesteel]

Some shields get in the way of hookup or detach, greasing, etc ... Thus they become a functional problem.

I've seen this with some shields. Usually they are the less expensive ones that aren't very good to begin with. I have Weasler shields on all my PTO shafts which seem to be the best I have found so far and are available locally. I have never had a issue hooking one up on my configurations. Different tractors could be an issue depending on the tractor pto shield. If you do have an issue hooking up with the Weasler shield you can unlock the tab and turn the tube slightly and slide the tube back out of the way to hook up. Then turn and lock the tube back in place. They use a system which is very user friendly and durable.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Some shields get in the way of hookup or detach, greasing, etc ... Thus they become a functional problem.

It almost has to have some sort of tensioner inside the housing but I am not going to take mine apart to look for it. I will see if I can post a picture of mine if I get a few spare minutes today and my photo posting works.

 

[5030]

It almost has to have some sort of tensioner inside the housing but I am not going to take mine apart to look for it. I will see if I can post a picture of mine if I get a few spare minutes today and my photo posting works.

Both my rotary hay rakes have an internal spring loaded pre set (set torque) slip clutch arrangement in the output end of the PTO shaft Neither are adjustable, however they can be greased.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Both my rotary hay rakes have an internal spring loaded pre set (set torque) slip clutch arrangement in the output end of the PTO shaft Neither are adjustable, however they can be greased.

Are you saying the torque limiter can be greased or the PTO shaft U joints. I don't understand why a torque limiter would have a grease fitting, looks to me like grease would be the wrong thing to put on a clutch like device.

 

[SPYDERLK]

It almost has to have some sort of tensioner inside the housing but I am not going to take mine apart to look for it. I will see if I can post a picture of mine if I get a few spare minutes today and my photo posting works.

Both my rotary hay rakes have an internal spring loaded pre set (set torque) slip clutch arrangement in the output end of the PTO shaft Neither are adjustable, however they can be greased.

Do they chatter when they slip - like a drill clutch? There are also magnetic particle clutches. I think they recover perfectly, but theyre expensive. ... A multi-slip life is generally difficult to conceive w/o adjustment - and a reliable inexpensive solution should catch on pretty quick.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Do they chatter when they slip - like a drill clutch? There are also magnetic particle clutches. I think they recover perfectly, but theyre expensive. ... A multi-slip life is generally difficult to conceive w/o adjustment - and a reliable inexpensive solution should catch on pretty quick.

The one time I had a rock hang up, there was the absence of noise that alerted me that the tiller had stopped turning.
I have had slip clutches on cotton pickers that were a spring loaded ratcheting device that made a heck of a racket when they slipped, you definitely knew when they were slipping but these don't make any noise that I can hear when they slip at least nothing above the engine sound of the tractor.

 

[5030]

Do they chatter when they slip - like a drill clutch? There are also magnetic particle clutches. I think they recover perfectly, but theyre expensive. ... A multi-slip life is generally difficult to conceive w/o adjustment - and a reliable inexpensive solution should catch on pretty quick.

The hay rakes do chatter (most times I have the air conditioning on and the windows closed so the chatter is a good thing). The Weasler makes no noise just like the slip clutch on my NH 575 high capacity square baler. In fact, NH recommends 'slipping' the clutch every year prior to use. The clutch is designed to slip under heavy load and remove the shock load from the plunger. NH warns in the operators manual that the 'clutch will heat up with use'. It's similar to the Weasler. radially placed coil springs compressing a multi plate disc arrangement. I slip the Weasler (on my chipper as well). I put it on because the chipper is rated at 50 ponies maximum input and I'm driving it with a 100 horse tractor. It's 'blow up' insurance for me.

The clutches on the rakes (Kuhn Gyrorakes) are greaseable but not adjustable for break torque.

Last year I got lazy and stuffed a 6" oak log in the chipper (usually I cut my big wood to 19" long knots and I have a guy pick it up, he sells it to campgrounds (I don't heat with wood). and it ate the log but it also locked the chipper drum. The Weasler slipped just fine, the tractor didn't even get up on the turbo and I raced around to the cab and flipped off the PTO. It (Weasler) smoked a bit but was fine. Guess it burned the paint off.

If I work my 575 Hard in alfalfa hay running tight bales and stop for a rest, I can smell that clutch ocassionally. NH sells replacement plates but I've never replaced them. I think Weasler also sells plate kits.

 

[5030]

Are you saying the torque limiter can be greased or the PTO shaft U joints. I don't understand why a torque limiter would have a grease fitting, looks to me like grease would be the wrong thing to put on a clutch like device.

Both my Kuhn Gyrorakes have a grease fitting on the outside of the pack. I thjink it's for the overunning pawls, not the pack itself, but it's enclosed and I've never had it apart do thats just a guess. My motto is (at least on implemets), if it works fine, just maintain it, don't take it apart. Never had a reason to.