PTO Won't Stop Turning (A Bigger Problem)

[Jenkins003]

(Century 3040 tractor) After hooking up my new bush hog up today for the first time I tried to engage the PTO lever and it would only go in with a grinding sound as it is engaging and now the PTO turns the bush hog even if I push the clutch all the way in. The only way to stop the PTO is to disengage the lever. I know it's not supposed to work like this. Anybody got any idea what is wrong ?

 

[snoboy]

Rotory cutters have alot of inertia, They take a while to wind down. Try pushing in the clutch when the cutter is loaded in heavy grass and see if it winds down quicker.

 

[gldwing57]

My 3510 has a switch that lets the PTO run all the time or disengages with the clutch. Its on the right hand side. Its has 3 positions, off/ run all the time/ run with clutch engaged.

 

[Zork]

(Century 3040 tractor) After hooking up my new bush hog up today for the first time I tried to engage the PTO lever and it would only go in with a grinding sound as it is engaging and now the PTO turns the bush hog even if I push the clutch all the way in. The only way to stop the PTO is to disengage the lever. I know it's not supposed to work like this. Anybody got any idea what is wrong ?

Ah....just a thought. If you do not have the electric type that gldwing57 has ("My 3510 has a switch that lets the PTO run all the time or disengages with the clutch. Its on the right hand side. Its has 3 positions, off/ run all the time/ run with clutch engaged.") you have to see if your tractor is spec'd with a 2-stage clutch. The first stage as you press in slightly disengages the drive wheel system and allow the PTO to run at full power. It is not until you depress the clutch fully that the PTO clutch disengages. Check to see if the linkage is adjusted properly, and listen for any unusual noises. Hope this helps, and please keep us posted- I got my ears on

 

[Jenkins003]

I will check for the switch. My manual doesn't say anything about a switch but it could be there. Exactly where is this switch located ? The tractor is supposed to have the 2 stage clutch but the bush hog doesn't stop even if you push the clutch all the way in. I have tried lowering it to the ground in heavy grass to stop it but nothing stops it but disengaging the PTO lever. The cluth has an adjustment sort of like a turnbuckle just above the clutch pedal but the lower stop nut which I believe is a left hand thread won't seem to break loose and I didn't want to mess with this adjustment if someone on here had a better answer.

 

[gldwing57]

The switch is on the right left of the key switch. The best I understand my clutch is not two stage, the PTO its electronic however you do put it in with a lever but the switch controls how you operate it.. I picture it as being sort of like a clutch on an a/c compressor but I could be off base I have never really read up on it.
If yours is not electronic then you probably have an adjustment issue. Do you have much free play in your pedal?

 

[Jenkins003]

Then my tractor doesn't have the switch. It is a 2 stage clutch. It does have a few inches of travel before any resistance is felt but I don't know if that is normal or not.

 

[gldwing57]

Sounds like an adjustment issue to me. Maybe fjb2c or someone will jump in with some adjustment suggestions.

 

[Zork]

Sounds like an adjustment issue to me. Maybe fjb2c or someone will jump in with some adjustment suggestions.

Jenkins003- My manual is at home, and I wont have Internet access until Tuesday, and I am not all that familiar with the construction of a two stage clutch. But If the secondary side of your clutch is giving you problems (IE not disengaging) and all you have is 1 rod for clutch linkage, then it wont hurt if you loosen the adjuster so that you have about half inch travel (pedal free play), and try it. NOW WITH THIS SAID.... I HAVE SEEN TRUCK PRESSURE PLATES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS (HARD SHIFTING TO MUCH PEDAL FREE PLAY) AND ONCE YOU ADJUSTED THEM THE PRESSURE PLATE COLLAPSED- EITHER WAY THE VEHICLE NEEDED A CLUTCH. So I do not know what else to tell you other than if you don't feel confident about your mechanical skills, maybe a pro should look at it. I hope this helps you, let us know.

 

[Jenkins003]

I just measured the clutch free play and it measures about 1 1/2 inches. I just read the manual and it states it should be between 3/4 and 1 1/4 inches. It also says if it has to much free play that the PTO won't stop turning or to little and it will wear out the clutch. So I guess my next move is to try to break the bolts on the turn buckle loose. The problem is I may have to almost destroy the turn buckle to get the bottom stop nut loose which seems to be a left hand thread. It is so tight that so far I can't get it to break loose.

 

[Eagleview]

Make sure you hold the turnbuckle with a spanner while your trying to loosen the nut . If all else fails you may be able to disconnect one end of the rod and turn that end to shorten it . It will be a little off center in the turnbuckle but that wont hurt anything .

 

[Jenkins003]

Thanks Iron Horse. I might have not of thought about just disonnecting one end of the linkage. I had to take half of my dash off to get to the top of the clutch linkage but there was enough adjustment left to cure the problem so now the PTO stops just as it should and everything works fine. Also thanks to eveyone who replied to this post.

 

[snoboy]

Good find and good fix. Glad you got er fixed.