X series PTO Clutch revisited

rekees4300 · Apr 28, 2012

It has a 4 year warranty so if the clutch is going to fail it likely will happen within that time period. Tough decision between X500 and X310. The clincher was when the dealer said the warranty on the X310 would be void if I put CDAP rear ties on it like the X500 has. My yard has some steep slopes so good traction is essential. The differential lock was another big selling point.

ATCtech · May 1, 2012

The latest version of the clutch JD installed today has a small hole in the side between the upper and lower bearing assemblies, perhaps to allow condensation to escape preventing the lower bearing from rusting? The one that came off was version #1, so I never saw the second incarnation to know if it looked different in any way. Other than the hole there is no appreciable differences in the shape or designs.

The machine is at exactly 150 hours so keeping track of this one will be easy....

rekees4300 · May 1, 2012

Hope the new clutch holds up for you. Can understand why the clutch on these would tend to fail. Lots of stress on it when the power of 24HP is transferred to the mass of a 54" deck. Think I'll be doing the clutch engagement with engine running at maybe 25% speed. That may conserve the clutch? Did first cut with mine on Sunday. It was a religious experience.

Beautiful level cut with no clumping or rows of clippings. Rear tires didn't spin on the slopes. Never had to use the differential lock. Mow time reduced from 2 hours to 1 hour. Went to the dealer today to get the recommended TORQ-GARD oil. Dealer asked "How do you like your new mower? I said "It's a mean green grass mowin' machine". He just laughed.

Eric Barney · May 1, 2012

I am wishing both you guys the best with your X5's and the PTO clutches. My brand new X540 is home, and I am awaiting the first opportunity to mow, and thatcherater my yard. Rain-rain-rain. But that is a good thing

The little bit that I did drive the tractor tells me that using it will be a real pleasure. Can't wait!

ATCtech · May 3, 2012

Man, mowing the lawn with an X540 in Palm Beach Gardens Florida - does it get any better than that?

Have fun Eric!!

Eric Barney · May 3, 2012

ATCtech said:
Man, mowing the lawn with an X540 in Palm Beach Gardens Florida - does it get any better than that?

Have fun Eric!!

I am looking for a much bigger lawn now!!! That tractor seems to have made my current lawn smaller..

sparc · May 4, 2012

I noticed the same thing on my lawn.

Also, I am hoping I don't run into the PTO clutch problem.

I am at 53.5 hours right now.

ATCtech · Jun 1, 2013

I hate to say it but the newest PTO clutch didn't go 25 hours before it started to produce a very noticable whine when engaged. The dealer has bent over backwards checking everything (two shop visits at their expense) and swear it's working normally (noise level included), they've checked deck pulleys and all, but the truth is sitting on the machine with the deck running is a horrible experience. I clearly remember saying to people when I first got the X540 in 2008 that you could pratically carry on a conversation with it running full-out. Not now, the "whirring" of the blades turning and air moving under the deck is all but drowned out but what essentially sounds like a turbine spinning underneath the frame, front and center. It's that shrill howl sound that goes right through you if you know what I mean.

I'm pretty much ready to give up. Why this particular machine seems to tear through PTO assemblies is beyond me. It cuts my 1+ acre like the top of a pool table, the lawn looks better than it ever has, but the machine is letting me down. I'm tempted to borrow or buy a noise level meter, make an audio recording and take noise level measurements as it is now, lay out the $150 for a new PTO myself and repeat the recording/measurement process. But what's it going to prove? Even if the noise level drops 15dB with a new PTO assembly it's only going to fail again.

Suggestions, anybody?

Bob

JDTank · Jun 1, 2013

If I remember correctly, the reason the X500 series has these issues is because it's a dry clutch and it's external.

It's another reason I opted for the X7 series. It's a wet clutch and internal, I have yet to hear of one failing, even with over a thousand hours on them.

jinman · Jun 6, 2013

Bob, this is very late to the game, but your PTO clutch is electrical. I'd suspect your 'howling' sound to be an idler on the deck somewhere rather than a PTO clutch. Some electrical PTOs make noise when they are not engaged because they are binding, but when they are engaged, they are locked up. How about taking your deck drive belt off and then engage/disengage your PTO to see if the noise still exists. That should tell you if the noise is in the PTO or a deck idler with a dry bearing. I replaced lots of idlers on my deck. Yes, my deck is not the quality of yours, but many times idler pulleys are the same on cheap decks and more expensive ones. They really do screech before failing completely and locking up.