Tiller Tiller, slip clutch or shear bolt?

[Newtogreen]

First this is a great site, although I do more lurking than posting. Anyway I purchased a used 50 inch Maschio tiller that had been sitting outside without cover for nine years that I know of. This is a 1995 model that I don't think was ever used. The slip clutch is awful rusty and after taking it apart I don't think it is salvageable. I also got a shear bolt connection that came with it. My question is should I replace the slip clutch or just use the shear bolt. I am using this with my John Deere 4115 cut. Thanks for any info.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I'd guess you should replace the slip clutch, but it depends on how much you like changing bolts. I don't, so I use a clutch. Course, bolts don't need regular maintenance, and the clutch does...

Sure you can't get new pads and springs and rebuild the slip clutch?

 

[suncoast]

A slip clutch is good to have. Use it with your shear bolt and see if and how often you might break it. If it is a regular issue then I would go to the slip clutch. If you don't have any problems stay with what you have.

 

[Newtogreen]

Thanks for the reply's, this is a friction clutch and the problem is the hub and the clutch housing are so rusted. I believe the clutch is a Walterscheid because that is what the driveline is. The friction disk look new but are full of rust also from being squeezed together with the combination of water. The belleville springs look ok.

 

[whistlepig]

First this is a great site, although I do more lurking than posting. Anyway I purchased a used 50 inch Maschio tiller that had been sitting outside without cover for nine years that I know of. This is a 1995 model that I don't think was ever used. The slip clutch is awful rusty and after taking it apart I don't think it is salvageable. I also got a shear bolt connection that came with it. My question is should I replace the slip clutch or just use the shear bolt. I am using this with my John Deere 4115 cut. Thanks for any info.

I have never owned a piece of equipment with a slip clutch. I have never had a problem with shear bolts so never saw the need for a slip clutch.

 

[Egon]

I'd prefer the slip clutch.

Make a stab at cleaning up your rusted one. Phosphoric acid may clean it up.

 

[dmccarty]

I have a slip clutch on my rotary cutter. Its not hard to maintain but its just one more thing I have to do. I THINK it has actually slipped once or twice when I hit a rock or stump. I always wonder if I should have just used sheer bolts.

If you can easily use the sheer bolts give it a try and see how many you break. If you break too many bolts and spend too much time fixing sheered bolts then its slip clutch time.

Later,
Dan

 

[radioman]

Well - without looking at it, I am not sure of how bad it really is. Have you tried loosing up the springs so tension is gone and then run it like that causing it to slip all the time? this oughta clean up the surfaces quick. I prefer a slip clutch in the tiller over shear. With shear, you never know if you are out there without spares and tools and you trying to get tilling done then what ? Slip clutch allows you to keep working and still protect tiller.

 

[Newtogreen]

Thanks again for the reply's. Because of the shape it was in I don't think the clutch would have slipped at all.I called Landpride because I saw where they used the same Waltershceid slip clutch to give me a price on a new one and the man said six hundred dollars, I couldn't believe that. Anyway my biggest concern is protecting my cut so my question I quess would be will a shear bolt protect the tractor enough? I don't mind changing bolts.

 

[pitt_md]

Thanks again for the reply's. Because of the shape it was in I don't think the clutch would have slipped at all.I called Landpride because I saw where they used the same Waltershceid slip clutch to give me a price on a new one and the man said six hundred dollars, I couldn't believe that. Anyway my biggest concern is protecting my cut so my question I quess would be will a shear bolt protect the tractor enough? I don't mind changing bolts.

you can buy a lot of shear bolts for $600!!
The shear bolts will be all you need for protection provided they are the correct bolts.

 

[Soundguy]

is it really so bad that the media and plates won't mesh or???

soundguy

 

[Deerlope]

With shear bolts I am off the tractor more than I am on it. I just picked up today a new S/C shaft for my rotary cutter.

 

[JDeerekid]

I vote for the slip clutch. Main reason for the slip clutch is that with different soil conditions you can adjust the clutch. If you have lots of rocks or tough clay soil you will be breaking shear pins all the time. If all you are tilling is sand I would say go with the shear pins. This is just my opinion.

That price seems really high for the slip clutch to me.

 

[Dead Horse]

Re tilling, after 10 years of practice I can comfortably advise you that slow is better. I run my 3710 at near idle and till in low gear, going slowly through the food plot. I till about an acre and it takes maybe an hour to go over it twice, but I don't break pins and I DON"T hurt the implement OR my tractor.

"Fastest way to move a big rock, is SLOWLY"

Most guys I see running tractors are in way too much of a hurry to get the job done......... that is how things get broken and collateral damage is done.

The old hands know the job gets done best and fastest at "optimal" speed, which is almost ALWAYS slower than you think it is.

The art of doing things "once", a life time study.

 

[jenkinsph]

Re tilling, after 10 years of practice I can comfortably advise you that slow is better. I run my 3710 at near idle and till in low gear, going slowly through the food plot. I till about an acre and it takes maybe an hour to go over it twice, but I don't break pins and I DON"T hurt the implement OR my tractor.

"Fastest way to move a big rock, is SLOWLY"

Most guys I see running tractors are in way too much of a hurry to get the job done......... that is how things get broken and collateral damage is done.

The old hands know the job gets done best and fastest at "optimal" speed, which is almost ALWAYS slower than you think it is.

The art of doing things "once", a life time study.

I agree with most of what you are saying, I run about 1700 to 1900 rpm though.

Fuzzy math though, I can't see how you can make two passes over an acre of ground in an hour. Takes me over an hour to make one pass with a 73" tiller and a 4520 tractor. So what is your ground speed?


Steve

 

[VALENT]

I dont think you need to replace the whole assembly. But, I am betting the 600 dollar price tag is for everything. If it was me, I would try slipping the clutch first. Then, if the plates are too wore or fall apart, replace the discs or at the worse:
Agri Supply - Search Results for slip clutch discs

 

[Dead Horse]

I agree with most of what you are saying, I run about 1700 to 1900 rpm though.

Fuzzy math though, I can't see how you can make two passes over an acre of ground in an hour. Takes me over an hour to make one pass with a 73" tiller and a 4520 tractor. So what is your ground speed?


Steve

Yeah, I prolly underestimated the time...... I have such a goo dtime doing it I don't actually keep track of the exact time. I do know the job goes faster and produces hiher quality results, when you only have to do it once, WITHOUT breaking anything.

You are prolly right it does take me longer than an hour.......... sorry for guessing.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Thanks again for the reply's. Because of the shape it was in I don't think the clutch would have slipped at all.I called Landpride because I saw where they used the same Waltershceid slip clutch to give me a price on a new one and the man said six hundred dollars, I couldn't believe that. Anyway my biggest concern is protecting my cut so my question I quess would be will a shear bolt protect the tractor enough? I don't mind changing bolts.

I would not give up on fixing that clutch, but if you are going to I will gladly pay the price of you shipping it to me. I could probably even come get it for $30 fuel .
larry