Rotary Cutter Slip Clutch

[rfore1]

I have an old John Deere 5 ft Rotary Cutter, I think its a model 127, does a good job and its been dependable for years. It has a disc type slip clutch that i dont see anymore, no bolts holding it together. There is play between the clutch and gear box housing, but it appears that the shaft is ok. It has a large notched nut in front of the clutch( u joint end) and a bolt that runs through the u joint towards the gear box shaft. I dont know if this play is normal. If not how do I get the clutch off.


Thanks,
RF

 

[kebo]

Pictures are worth a 1000 words!!

 

[pmsmechanic]

I don't know if your model is the same or not but I worked on a deere rotary mower this summer. I forget the number but the slip clutch came off by taking out the grease nipple and pulling out the ball bearings inside. There's 9 or 11 ball bearings in there. If you go to John Deere Home Page Redirect and look up a parts diagram for your model it should give you clues as to how everything is put together. Parts are expensive.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have an old John Deere 5 ft Rotary Cutter, I think its a model 127, does a good job and its been dependable for years. It has a disc type slip clutch that i dont see anymore, no bolts holding it together. There is play between the clutch and gear box housing, but it appears that the shaft is ok. It has a large notched nut in front of the clutch( u joint end) and a bolt that runs through the u joint towards the gear box shaft. I dont know if this play is normal. If not how do I get the clutch off.


Thanks,
RF

I have that model. It is an extremely tuf gearbox ... 100 or 125HP. I doubt anything is wrong based on the beating I have given mine without problem. That u joint yoke should be held to the clutch cage by 4ea 7/16" bolts. Is it the fingered cage that moves back and forth? Thats normal ~ 1/16"+/- -- a center ~1.125" hexnut revealed under the yoke limits the movement. If it isnt that, remove the center nut and the cage and look around for problems. I have never been inside on mine so I have no direct experience to help out. The big ~2.5" nut on the back of the clutch sets the force on the disk spring to adjust slip point. No movement back there is there? Is the clutch wobbling?
larry

 

[pmsmechanic]

Try going to this page. It'll give you a parts diagram for your mower. http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/pdfs/PC0614.pdf You can even print a copy if you want.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Try going to this page. It'll give you a parts diagram for your mower. http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/pdfs/PC0614.pdf You can even print a copy if you want.

Thanks for posting this link! Virtually complete info on the mower. We bought it used in 62 or 3 and got no info. We tried it vs the 227Gyramor and it was much more solid -- same gearbox I think. Now Ill know as much or more about it as the dealer, altho buying knives and tailtire is about all I shop for. I keep picking up spares cheap at auction that have been poorly maintained and beaten the body apart. This 600 pound cutter outperforms any cutter Iv seen in its class. ... Small and light enuf to operate with our B9200 Kub - - and strong enuf to cut 8" trees moving forward when powered by the JD 2010 tricycle.
larry

 

[rfore1]

I have that model. It is an extremely tuf gearbox ... 100 or 125HP. I doubt anything is wrong based on the beating I have given mine without problem. That u joint yoke should be held to the clutch cage by 4ea 7/16" bolts. Is it the fingered cage that moves back and forth? Thats normal ~ 1/16"+/- -- a center ~1.125" hexnut revealed under the yoke limits the movement. If it isnt that, remove the center nut and the cage and look around for problems. I have never been inside on mine so I have no direct experience to help out. The big ~2.5" nut on the back of the clutch sets the force on the disk spring to adjust slip point. No movement back there is there? Is the clutch wobbling?
larry

Thanks for the info and yes the clutch has slight wobble to it. I got the clutches off today, but can't get the last plate or hub off.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Thanks for the info and yes the clutch has slight wobble to it. I got the clutches off today, but can't get the last plate or hub off.

It is important that you communicate what is wobbling. Is it what I called the fingered cage -- the clutch housing [#10 in the diagram in pmsmechanic link]??? Slight wobble there, and thus the connected u joint yoke, is normal. Put grease in the grease fitting on the housing.
larry

 

[pmsmechanic]

For anybody who is curious the link was easy to do. Just go to John Deere's home page. John Deere Home Page Redirect and follow the links to parts diagrams. Type in the number for your implement and open it up. It's a bit time consuming to get there but it works. You then just copy and paste the page address to this forum. Lots of John Deere's older parts books are in pdf already and that makes them even easier to link and download. Glad I could help you out.

 

[rfore1]

It is important that you communicate what is wobbling. Is it what I called the fingered cage -- the clutch housing [#10 in the diagram in pmsmechanic link]??? Slight wobble there, and thus the connected u joint yoke, is normal. Put grease in the grease fitting on the housing.
larry

Here, ill try and attach a picture or two