Broken PTO cable... 230 hours.

[teg]

I knew it was going to happen to my L2800... I was just not sure when it was going to happen. Lucky for me, it broke at the very end of the wk/ed with my new (used) finish mower. I thought long and hard how to rig it up without buying a new cable... well, the 5 minutes did seem long enough.

Since the next time up to the farm, I had plans for digging holes (PHD) and chipping up some trees, I figured I would bite the bullet this time. I called and ordered a cable, quote was $43... I was busy at work so my wife picked it up... bill was $50 but it came with the new longer bracket... so I didn't mind it too much.

Since the worst part of changing it out was the lower cable connection and I figured, within another 250 +/- hours I may have to do this again... I removed the cover plate (see photo). I don't have plans to put it back on. This was a smart move and made tightening up the nuts easier.

It was a pretty quick job with very few cuss words... my dog was ready just in case. Best part about it, my PHD used to never shut off... I'm happy to say, the new cable works!!! Still need to oil the cable...

 

[Tractor Factor]

It was a pretty quick job with very few cuss words... my dog was ready just in case.

LMAO at your dog picture. Thanks for making my day!!

:laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[Marcussen]

I knew it was going to happen to my L2800... I was just not sure when it was going to happen. Lucky for me, it broke at the very end of the wk/ed with my new (used) finish mower. I thought long and hard how to rig it up without buying a new cable... well, the 5 minutes did seem long enough.

Since the next time up to the farm, I had plans for digging holes (PHD) and chipping up some trees, I figured I would bite the bullet this time. I called and ordered a cable, quote was $43... I was busy at work so my wife picked it up... bill was $50 but it came with the new longer bracket... so I didn't mind it too much.

Since the worst part of changing it out was the lower cable connection and I figured, within another 250 +/- hours I may have to do this again... I removed the cover plate (see photo). I don't have plans to put it back on. This was a smart move and made tightening up the nuts easier.

It was a pretty quick job with very few cuss words... my dog was ready just in case. Best part about it, my PHD used to never shut off... I'm happy to say, the new cable works!!! Still need to oil the cable...

Mine got stuck again today, this time the PTO would not disengage. the cable has been replaced 3 times already for the same problem. Last time the bracket was also replaced. This is a safety issue poorly handled by Kubota.
For the record the cable got stuck at 48 hours, 100 hours and 200 (approximately), replaced by the dealer each time. but now with 348 hours it is no longer in warranty.

 

[TripleR]

That dog with the ear muffs cracked me up and I am not easily amused; funny stuff, thanks.

 

[teg]

..Last time the bracket was also replaced. This is a safety issue poorly handled by Kubota...

I fully agree that kubota is letting a serious safety issue be ignored. I sure hope NO one is going to be injured too badly.

Has anyone with the new bracket had their cable fail??? I really don't feel like buying a new cable every couple hundred hours Just want to know if the new bracket is going to work... Teg

Posted this photo before... Golden's are not the smartest dogs around but they sure are cute... this is what happens if you put a treat on the farside of the block.

 

[teg]

I sure hope no one is going to be injured too badly!!!

Just checking to see if anyone would catch that ...not, Thanks for the heads up. Personally, I turn the tractor off anytime I hook up or remove the PTO shaft.

 

[Rockyridge]

I have found that when disengaging the PTO (cable is pushing, not pulling) it helps to move it slowly. It seems moving it slower allows the spring to pull the cable and disengage the PTO. Moving it fast bends the cable before the spring can pull it. Once it gets bent the spring can稚 pull it down. Since I have been moving it slowly I have not had any problems with disengaging the PTO, even in cold climate.
I did have the cable replaced once but I don稚 know if they upgraded it a newer style though.

Has anyone else had any success with this?

 

[teg]

I assume everyone uses the clutch to disengaging the PTO (???) I hit the clutch and move the lever to the off position (rather quickly as to have it not make the rachet noise).

 

[Marcussen]

I fully agree that kubota is letting a serious safety issue be ignored. I sure hope NO one is going to be injured too badly.

Has anyone with the new bracket had their cable fail??? I really don't feel like buying a new cable every couple hundred hours Just want to know if the new bracket is going to work... Teg

Posted this photo before... Golden's are not the smartest dogs around but they sure are cute... this is what happens if you put a treat on the farside of the block.

Mine has the new bracket replaced last time the cable failed and now the cable is failing again. Moving the lever slowly helps, I also always use the clutch before engaging or disengaging the PTO.
But I am not the only one using the tractor the wife, daughter and son in law also use it. I can figure the PTO issue but there really should not be any "figuring out" to this. For the first time I told coworker NOT to buy a Kubota if this is their idea of safety.

 

[teg]

So, leaving the cover off was not a bad idea since there's not doubt I'll be at it again ...and again. I did notice that when I engaged the PTO by hand, the spring was really weak and it did not retract worth a hoot. I lubed it up a little bit with WD40 - really need to get some Fluid Film... and work on another method to engage/disengage it or maybe add another spring to help it retract. Open to ideas!!!

My guess is that kubota knows about it since I don't think I was charged for the bracket that came with the cable.

 

[ccsial]

I have found that when disengaging the PTO (cable is pushing, not pulling) it helps to move it slowly. It seems moving it slower allows the spring to pull the cable and disengage the PTO. Moving it fast bends the cable before the spring can pull it. Once it gets bent the spring can稚 pull it down. Since I have been moving it slowly I have not had any problems with disengaging the PTO, even in cold climate.
I did have the cable replaced once but I don稚 know if they upgraded it a newer style though.

Has anyone else had any success with this?

The PTO cams have a rake angle on them and disengaging with the clutch pushed in and the implement stopped requires a lot of force. I push in the clutch and disengage quickly at the same time. This way the implement is causing the clutch to unload and making it easy to disengage. I've been doing this for 270 hours and still on the first cable and the original 2005 bracket.

 

[Marcussen]

So, leaving the cover off was not a bad idea since there's not doubt I'll be at it again ...and again. I did notice that when I engaged the PTO by hand, the spring was really weak and it did not retract worth a hoot. I lubed it up a little bit with WD40 - really need to get some Fluid Film... and work on another method to engage/disengage it or maybe add another spring to help it retract. Open to ideas!!!

My guess is that kubota knows about it since I don't think I was charged for the bracket that came with the cable.

Kubota knows about the problem that is the reason for the new bracket, i think the idea of additional spring force may be part of the answer.

 

[daveinnh]

Well my L4310 HST PTO's cable broke today and the PTO is stuck on.

Does anyone know if Kubota redesigned this in the L 40 series?

 

[canoetrpr]

The PTO cams have a rake angle on them and disengaging with the clutch pushed in and the implement stopped requires a lot of force. I push in the clutch and disengage quickly at the same time. This way the implement is causing the clutch to unload and making it easy to disengage. I've been doing this for 270 hours and still on the first cable and the original 2005 bracket.

I've been doing exactly the same as ccsial here also on the 2005 bracket, original cable, original cams and 290 hours. Touch wood.l

 

[teg]

I've been doing exactly the same as ccsial here also on the 2005 bracket, original cable, original cams and 290 hours. Touch wood.l

My first question is do you use it much? Some people just don't use it that much. Also, Let me know if it breaks this week!!!! ..and do you have a replacement readdy?

Next question is I wonder if how they were set from the factory has anything to do with it? Maybe yours was set up better?

 

[canoetrpr]

My first question is do you use it much? Some people just don't use it that much. Also, Let me know if it breaks this week!!!! ..and do you have a replacement readdy?

Next question is I wonder if how they were set from the factory has anything to do with it? Maybe yours was set up better?

Who knows Murphy might strike just as I am getting ready to trade mine in for a Grand L4740 / L5x40.

I do use it quite a reasonable amount. I bush hog with my tractor regularly (every 5-6 days) and blow snow in the winter. Non PTO use includes loader work rake etc. If I were to guess at least half the hours are using the PTO. 150 is not a heck of a lot and I DON'T expect this type of a problem with this low hours but if the rest of you are running into it I better be prepared.

Something that might make a difference is that mine is ALWAYS stored inside and away from the weather. Not everyone can do this. Maybe exposing it to the elements causes some weakness in the design to show up prematurely.

Hard to tell really but given this issue is as prevalent as it is and it involves the PTO also not shutting off they ought to be more proactive about getting it fixed.

 

[ccsial]

Something that might make a difference is that mine is ALWAYS stored inside and away from the weather. Not everyone can do this. Maybe exposing it to the elements causes some weakness in the design to show up prematurely.

I store mine inside too. After snow blowing I wipe all the water and snow away from the top end of the cable. I also keep it lubed twice a year along with the suspension seat. I always do the prescribed maintenance too.

Mine has 320 hours and is used only for mowing and snow blowing. If the L3400 is started the PTO is used. I don't have a loader on the L3400. The 1910 gets that duty.

Shortly after getting the L3400 I did check to insure that the PTO cable allowed the cams to fully engage. I would worry a bit about rototilling with the cam setup. I don't think it is the most robust setup for shock loads.

This winter we had a big storm and the farmer across the street asked if could clear his gate area. I hit a tree branch about 3" in diameter. It took out the shear pin on the blower. At that point the PTO did not want to disengage since it no longer had much of an inertial load on it. I reved the engine up and down a few times and it disengaged. Once the shear pin was replaced all was back to normal. I finished that job with the 1910 and loader since I wasn't sure what else may be under there.

 

[canoetrpr]

Interesting experience ccsial.

I've dug some post holes with my L3400 also. Not many - probably about 30 or 40.

I've broken at least 8-12 shear pins on my rotary cutter and snowblower. Never had a problem disengaging the PTO. I guess I've just been lucky.

 

[teg]

I would have to say that broken cables don't come up much on TBN... maybe it's not that "news" worthy and people just replace it. Pretty easy to figure out what happen, even I figured that one out all by myself. :ashamed:

My Cable didn't have a bit rust on it (I'm sure by not lubing it the first few years, didn't help). It cut right where the stop was.

 

[Piston]

Thanks for posting this Teg.

I don't use my PTO too often and when I went to use it last month it wouldn't disengage. I had to get off the tractor and reach up with a screw driver to force the lever (that the end of the cable attaches to) to disengage the PTO. I figured it was from lack of use. My tractor has 600 hrs on it now. I thought if I lubed the cable it would work fine but now I'm not so sure.
I didn't realize this was a common issue with these tractors. Mine is a L4610. I may be in need of a new cable.