Slip clutch maintenance

[Agrantina]

I have a rotary cuttery and a tiller both where bought new with slip clutches. How do I ensure that both clutches will be working fine this spring? I have heard about them locking up or just not slipping. Neither cuttery or tiller came with a slip clutch manual, so I am not sure the proper maintenance that I should do..Can someone explain what I should do and how often?

AndyG

 

[Don87]

Not sure which brand you have, but on my Bush Hog Tiller............I loosen the 6 tensioning bolts on the slip clutch, lower the tiller to get the tines on the ground, engage PTO, let it slip............then readjust the tensioner bolts to the proper distance. This is done every spring, or more often if sitting out in the weather and not used on a regular basis.

You may be able to find owners manuals for your equipment on EBAY.

Hope this helps


EDIT: But if you can't find manuals.......measure your distance now, then loosen till they slip and retighten to your initial measurement.

 

[Agrantina]

So when you say let it slip it doesn't have to breakfree and spin very long? I would guess just long enough to rough the clutch up...

AndyG

 

[Don87]

So when you say let it slip it doesn't have to breakfree and spin very long? I would guess just long enough to rough the clutch up...
AndyG

Basically, yes...........just make sure it slips. If it doesn't slip, other parts break.

 

[greg_g]

There are several types of slip clutches, maintenance will depend upon make and model. But technically they're part of the PTO shaft. Look either in the maintenance manuals under PTO shaft, or in the instructions that may have come separately for the PTO shafts. Short of that, make and model of slip clutch would help us help you. Short of that photos might help.

//greg//

 

[Jerry/MT]

I have a rotary cuttery and a tiller both where bought new with slip clutches. How do I ensure that both clutches will be working fine this spring? I have heard about them locking up or just not slipping. Neither cuttery or tiller came with a slip clutch manual, so I am not sure the proper maintenance that I should do..Can someone explain what I should do and how often?

AndyG

My slip clutch came with instructions on how to set the spring length on the compression spring to get the proper spring tension. At the end of the season I remove the driveline with the slip clutch, relieve the tension on the spring and store it under cover out of the weather. In the spring, I make sure the clutch plates are loose and not frozen together and then I retighten it to the correct spring length again and re-install it.

 

[Don87]

My slip clutch came with instructions on how to set the spring length on the compression spring to get the proper spring tension. At the end of the season I remomove the driveline with the slip clutch, relieve the tension on the spring and store it under cover out of the weather. In the spring I retighten it to the correct spring length again and re-install it.

That's a great idea that I hadn't thought of...........keep the tension off the springs till needed. Might still be a good idea to give it a good slip before tightening though.

 

[KML]

Section 5 of this Land Pride manual covers the two major types.

http://www.landpride.com/ari/attach/lp/public/manuals/312-298m.pdf

The specific manual for your clutch would be best but this will get you heading in the right direction. The plates will fuse together and offer no protection if not "slipped" periodically. Hope this helps.

 

[greg_g]

If you loosen the springs when idle, that's just inviting moisture/dirt/insects/bird droppings/et cetera to settle between the discs and plates. What conditions are these implements subjected to when not in use? If outdoors/exposed, perhaps just remove the shaft/clutch between uses, and store it inside till you need it next.

//greg//

 

[Agrantina]

Dont know why I have done this or even thought about putting the drive shafts inside:confused2:... The cutter stays outside because of the size but I have more that enough room to store slip clutches/ drive shafts in side.. as soon as I get a nice weekend I have some cutting to do so I will try slipping the clutch.. In the mean time I belive I will make a place to store drive shafts..

AndyG