TC29D PTO Problem

jd2210va · Oct 13, 2004

I picked up a new (leftover) TC29D this past July and the dealer sold me a Woods 5000 chipper/shredder with it. The Woods 5000 says it can handle a 5" diameter limb/log. As I've put more time on it I've bogged down the tractor engine and even caused it to stall a few times with something smaller than a 5" limb (I've sharpened the chipper blades as needed). The problem now is I can't disengage the pto using the lever anymore. I've had to resort to using a large set of channel locks at the shaft to disengage the pto and even then it won't break free very easily. I run the chipper at the recommended "540" rpm (2700 rpm). My neighbor says you should run the engine "wide open". I've also tried different adjustments on the lever turnbuckle. Has anyone else had a similar problem and what exactly is the problem behind this? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I know I'm not doing the tractor (or myself)much good with this method of pto disengagement. And I've told my dealer about it and asked him to have his guys look at it but since I don't have a trailer yet to get it to his shop, he's dragging his feet to come and get it. Thanks for any advice/help you can offer.

Soundguy · Oct 14, 2004

A chipper that handles 5" material sounds pretty beefy. I'm also concerned that you can load it down enough to stall the tractor. Does the driveline not have a torque limiter or a shear pin installed in it?

In any case.. I'm guessing the tc29 doesn't have the 'nads' to pull that chipper. That unit has ? 24 pto hp? I just don't think that's adequate under maximum load. In any case.. it would be ideal for the tractor to have excess power, and an overload inthe chipper would cause the torque limiter to slip.. or the shear pin to pop.

Is that unit independent pto? or 2 stage clutch. If 2 stage clutch.. try disengaging the pto shaft, with the engine off, and the clutch down.

On many oler tractors when the pto lever becomes hard to shift, sometimes the sliding collar has developed a problem, or the shaft itself has developed a twist in a splined area the collar slides on. With these newer units.. I'd have to see a service manual to see what the actual method of engagement is.. might be as simple as a clutch pack.. etc.

However the fact that it is hard to shift is alarming.

good luck

Soundguy

jinman · Oct 14, 2004

I'm not completely certain what kind of PTO you have on your Class II Boomer, but the Class IIIs all have a hydraulically actuated clutch/brake for the independent PTO. The PTO engagement is just opening a valve to allow fluid to the clutch and there is no gear engagement at all. If your PTO is the same type, there should be very little effort required for engagement. Some folks with actual experience on the TC29D could surely shed some light on this.

Murph? Typhoon? Are you guys out there? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I have a chipper-shredder for my tractor and I've never, ever run it at 540 rpm. I keep my rpm well below 2000 on my TC45D and my old Ford Jubilee used to run it just fine at about 1500 rpm. My chipper can take up to 4-1/2" stuff, so it's very close to your Woods 5000. I can't imagine ever bogging the tractor down with the chipper. What are you feeding into it?

I could be wrong, but I think there's something else going on here. I can't imagine a tractor that could run a 5' or 6' rotary cutter having trouble with a chipper. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Bigfinn · Oct 14, 2004

I believe the TC29 is a mechanical system. I can "feel" the pto engange or not and simply play with the clutch a bit until it easily slids in. My TC29 is a 9x3 trans, not a hydro. If you snubbed the tractor I would be concerned about some internal damage. Good Luck, keep us posted.

MikePA · Oct 14, 2004

Murph? Typhoon? Are you guys out there? 
The rear PTO on my TC25D is mechanical. Tractor at idle, clutch in, move lever, let clutch out slowly, increase throttle.

MikePA · Oct 14, 2004

I'm guessing the tc29 doesn't have the 'nads' to pull that chipper. 
The Woods web site indicates 15 - 30 tractor hp for the 5000 model chipper.

MikePA · Oct 14, 2004

The problem now is I can't disengage the pto using the lever anymore. I've had to resort to using a large set of channel locks at the shaft to disengage the pto and even then it won't break free very easily. 
Just to make sure I understand...You have the tractor off, the chipper is stopped, the tractor clutch is in and you still can not disengage the PTO?

jd2210va · Oct 15, 2004

That is correct. Engine off, chipper stopped, clutch in and still can't disengage the rear pto. Just for the record, the chipper is the only implement I've run on the pto. Thanks to all of you for your responses, even though they aren't making me feel any better about this situation! Honestly though, my gut feeling told me this is not a "normal" thing. I think it's time to get serious about getting it into the dealer and find out what's really going on. I just may go shopping for a trailer tomorrow (been looking for awhile), since I believe I need one sooner or later anyway, and get the tractor into the dealer. Plus, it's also started going in reverse on it's own now (when in gear with no pedal input). I saw where someone on here described how to fix that problem but I'd rather let the dealer take care of that too. I hope I didn't get a "lemon" for a tractor?! For the most part I'm really happy with the TC 29D.

MikePA · Oct 15, 2004

The only thing I can think to try is to disconnect the PTO from the chipper and see if that helps. Maybe there's something binding up the entire driveline?

Soundguy · Oct 16, 2004

( I'm guessing the tc29 doesn't have the 'nads' to pull that chipper.
The Woods web site indicates 15 - 30 tractor hp for the 5000 model chipper. )

Odd... I'm surprised the shear pin wouldn't pop if the chipper was loaded down enough to stall the tractor.

My friend had a ford 1210.. ran a 4' ford 95X mower with it. It would stall in tall grass rather than shear the pin as well. I know the tractor was rated for that mower.. but it just lacked the lugging capability needed to either power thru the gras or shear the pin when the mower bogged down.

Soundguy