Rotary Cutter Slip Clutch Maintanence

[SmallTimeCountry]

Alright, this may or may not be a dumb question but either way, I just need help finding the answer. I have a Land Pride 1872 6 foot roatary mower with a slip clutch. It's time to start mowing and I was going through the maintanence and notcied that I have to make sure that the slip clutch isn't frozen. As you may know, this entails loosing the spring retainer nuts, running the PTO for a couple seconds, and making sure that the clutch slipped properly. I get all that. The problem is removing the protective platic shield from the clutch itself. Is there anyone that has an easy way to do this, so that all eight spring retainer nuts can be accessed? I have not the slightest idea how to get this thing outta the way. Thanks in advance for all the help.

 

[Don87]

I think(IIRC), that if you look at the 'small end' of the large plastic piece..........on either side there will be a slot in the plastic. Using a screwdriver to push in, you should be able to release the tabs that hold the shield in place and pull it back the driveshaft to access the bolts for the slipclutch.

 

[tag01]

and that is a 2 man job one pullin and one running the screw driver, I just went thru that on my 513

 

[Don87]

and that is a 2 man job one pullin and one running the screw driver, I just went thru that on my 513

It's a pain, isn't it?:laughing:

 

[tag01]

it can be a finger pincher

 

[Don87]

it can be a finger pincher

To say the least. The screwdriver slipped on me, the tube turned, and I got it in the palm.(I have no idea how I did that)

Be careful SmallTimeCountry

 

[horse7]

Adjusting the slip clutch (I have a 278) is a PITA . The shield is hard to remove (and using the access openings with the shield on is just as hard) plus the nuts aren't captive or fixed so counting turns for loosening/resetting is made more difficult than necessary. There is no practical method to measure the spring height that I can determine w/o removing the shield (i.e., following the manual instructions for slip clutch adjustment).

This is one area where spending a few dollars more on design for maintenance/repair would be a great convenience to users.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Yeah, what a PITA those are. I have one on my tiller. Mower has a shear pin type. I suppose that is why you see a lot of the guards missing. I had to pull mine out and disassemble and clean up the disc. The cross bolt for the clutch to mower shaft was not acessible so I bored a hole in the plastic for access with a socket, solved that problem. Did the adjustment while off the implement usinfg an electronic caliper (HF) . Have done this twice as I have to store outside in this PNW rain, getting ready to do again. They are p[robably OK in the dry SW but they rust up here in 3 months. Seriously contemplating getting a shear pin type instead or just run froze up. Have only stalled the engine once.

Ron