SLIP CLUTCH FAILURES????

MesquiteThorn · Jul 27, 2004

Does anyone have any info on slip clutch failures , as in locking up, and not slipping when needed? The main failure would be caused by not using the mower for a period of time and it rusts up and becomes locked up.

OrangeGuy · Jul 27, 2004

Take it apart and clean it up. Make sure you count the number of turns for the nuts on the clutch spring bolts so you can put them back on in the same location (same spring tension).

OrangeGuy

MicroPilot · Jul 27, 2004

( Take it apart and clean it up. Make sure you count the number of turns for the nuts on the clutch spring bolts so you can put them back on in the same location (same spring tension).

OrangeGuy )

Or measure the length of the springs before disassembly! They all should be the same length, and should not be fully compressed.

greg_g · Jul 28, 2004

(Does anyone have any info on slip clutch failures , as in locking up, and not slipping when needed?)
Another reason for not "slipping" is if it came off a bigger tractor, and hasn't been readjusted for lower PTO horsepower. Each slip clutch must have the spring tension adjusted to match the horsepower generated by the shaft that's turning it. If yours looks like this

with eight or more tension springs (#8), tell me what your PTO horsepower is and I'll check the chart for spring length adjustment.

//greg//

MikePA: Downloaded gif, resized to 640 width. Please remember that TBNers who connect via dialup probably do not appreciate inline images.

slowzuki · Jul 28, 2004

Most equipment with slip clutches tells you to slip them once a year or take them apart and break the bond once a year.

Ken

have_blue · Jul 28, 2004

( Does anyone have any info on slip clutch failures , as in locking up, and not slipping when needed? The main failure would be caused by not using the mower for a period of time and it rusts up and becomes locked up. )

Unless the unit is stored in the rain and not used for long periods, I would think locking up is highly unlikely. Vibration from normal use will prevent the clutch halves from growing together. I get get micro-slippage on my RC clutch. I scratched a reference mark on it and every time I check it's moved a hair or 2. I haven't hit anything, it's probably just from normal vibration, starts, and mowing.

I think it's better for clutches to slip too much than not at all. Keep tabs on the clutch. Make a mark, and watch it for a month. If it doesn't move at all, maybe consider loosening the tension nuts 1/8 turn and watching the clutch for another month.

RickB · Jul 28, 2004

Your slipclutch is adjusted properly for your HP and load; and probably will not sieze up soon because it is slipping marginally with use. Clutches that do not slip at all are very much prone to siezing regardless of storage methods. This kind of failure occurs all the time and often isn't noticed until the lack of slippage causes another problem which is where I enter the equation. All clutches should be loosened and slipped once a year and set according to specs first then fine tuned to the specific tractor and load.