Cubcadet RZT50 PTO burned up !!!

[ccdirectt]

A couple of week ago it started smoking. I thought it was from the engine at first. Got it home and went over the motor and belts.Then i used it for about 2 more mowing's and it worked OK. Then this Thursday i was mowing and it started smoking again real bad, and i got off and seen for sure it was not coming from the motor. Now PTO will not engage. I replaced the PTO about 3 years ago with the EXTREME brand PTO which was suppose to be commercial grade. No problems until now.
P.S. The first time it happened when i got it home, i changed the oil while it was still on my 5x8 trailer, and it was so much my convenient to change it up off the ground. Did not make a mess with the quick release oil plug.

 

[RandyT]

I would start the mower and take a voltage meter and see what the charge voltage is at the battery. Could be overcharging which will take the coil out of the clutch quickly. Second thought is a bearing going bad allowing the friction disc to contact the coil.

 

[5030]

Probably too many full throttle engagements... Time for another....

 

[shooterdon]

Probably too many full throttle engagements... Time for another....

On my ZT, PTO is suppose to be engaged at FT

 

[5030]

On my ZT, PTO is suppose to be engaged at FT

That is because they want you to use it up quickly... I NEVER engage mine at FT. Always a tad above idle. My Cub is 15 years old and still on the original PTO clutch assembly.

Physics tells you that FT engagement to get everything spinning (blades, pulleys, ect.,) causes the clutch assembly to wear as the friction material slides against the metal drive plate.

When it's replacement time, you'll appreciate the cost of replacement....lol

Bet when you engage it, it screeches a bit too. That is either the pto clutch complaining or the belts slipping.

 

[tomplum]

While I think there is merit to reduce engine speed some to lessen the torque load on the belt, realistically by 25-30% is sufficient. Just above idle? Dunno how many can do that. Does the clutch care that much on engagement speed? I don't think so. Load the clutch at what speed gives you the smoothest transition. Different decks vary widely on their power requirements.
I don't have a bone to pick with Extreme, but I have seen a couple fail like yours. I do know that sourcing some clutches from MTD can give sticker shock too. The little sticker on top of the long gone clutch was really your friend.
RANDYT brought up the fact that serious overvoltage can damage the coil. The same can be true if it is run under powered as the clutch struggles keep engaged. So, charging system issues can go hand in hand. Every year there seems be be couple that jump start the mower, ends up with 10 volts to the clutch and wonders why it won't just grab and go...

 

[ccdirectt]

EXSTREME tech support was persistent about me putting on a new battery and voltage regulator when i replaced it.
What do you all think about 8TEN PTO. You have to look close, because it looks like STEN. $110 or so on Ebay.

 

[RandyT]

While I think there is merit to reduce engine speed some to lessen the torque load on the belt, realistically by 25-30% is sufficient. Just above idle? Dunno how many can do that. Does the clutch care that much on engagement speed? I don't think so. Load the clutch at what speed gives you the smoothest transition. Different decks vary widely on their power requirements.
I don't have a bone to pick with Extreme, but I have seen a couple fail like yours. I do know that sourcing some clutches from MTD can give sticker shock too. The little sticker on top of the long gone clutch was really your friend.
RANDYT brought up the fact that serious overvoltage can damage the coil. The same can be true if it is run under powered as the clutch struggles keep engaged. So, charging system issues can go hand in hand. Every year there seems be be couple that jump start the mower, ends up with 10 volts to the clutch and wonders why it won't just grab and go...

Xtreme is very clear that the charge voltage cannot exceed 14.2 or damage will occur and will void the warranty.. Most of the time the regulator fails open and stops charging, but in some cases will cause an overcharge of 16+ volts. MTD with the Kohler Courage single went through that were MTD claims overcharge was damaging the fuel solenoid on the carb, and Kohler claimed it was the muffler too close to the carb without a heat shield, and came down to the fact that neither would claim warranty. But the few fuel solenoids that failed actually caught the wires on fire or were severely charred.

 

[5030]

EXSTREME tech support was persistent about me putting on a new battery and voltage regulator when i replaced it.
What do you all think about 8TEN PTO. You have to look close, because it looks like STEN. $110 or so on Ebay.

With Chineseum stuff, it may look like *** but in the real world it won't perform like ***. IOW you always get what you pay for or less.

 

[5030]

MTD with the Kohler Courage single went through that were MTD

Courage is no more. Kohler had continuing issue with it, poor design. My wife has one on her zero turn (CC RZT) and it an oil burner. Not impressed. In fact I use it to burn my waste oil. Very efficient at that...lol