Ford 3000 PTO will not turn

Browntroutman · Oct 13, 2015

I got my first tractor, and unfortunately I have no experience with them so I am asking for input to see if I am merely doing something wrong, or if I have a mechanical problem. Its a 3 cylinder diesel Ford 3000 with the 8 speed transmission. The problem is the PTO shaft. When I press in the clutch and then pull the PTO lever rearwards to engage it, the PTO does start to turn, but it goes very slowly (maybe 20 RPM or so) and it can easily be stopped by gentle finger pressure (probably not a good idea, I realize!). It makes no difference if its in neutral, or moving forward in 1st gear, or if the engine speed is low or high. I can't say for sure what type of PTO it is, but I noted that when depressing the clutch there is no obvious feeling of it being a dual step type. I did reset the clutch pedal freeplay as per the owners manual and it made no difference. I also tried both mounting holes in the clevis on the clutch lever. Am I doing something basically wrong here? I tried a search for these symptoms, but found nothing that helps. Any input would be appreciated.

tom4018 · Oct 14, 2015

The PTO clutch could be worn out. Can you turn the shaft with the engine off and the PTO engaged?

Soundguy · Oct 14, 2015

I'd park nose down and yank 4 bolts and pull the pro shaft to rule out shaft damage. I have seen sheared shafts.

If the shaft is intact and resr splines are good, that leaves you looking at the coupler, countershaft and ultimately input shaft then clutch.

MOST 8spds are live/dual clutch.

One thing. No chance it has an orc on it with a shorn roll pin is there?

Browntroutman · Oct 15, 2015

It has no ORC, and I tested out a couple of things yesterday (its at my buddies place so I always have to drive there whenever I get an idea). I pressed the clutch in by hand and did notice a spot maybe halfway down its travel where it feels like something else engages (suggesting the 2 stage clutch is what I have). I also ran the tractor in neutral, with my foot OFF the clutch, and gently pulled back on the PTO lever and I could feel something like teeth or gears trying to engage (I didn't force it though). This suggests to me that the clutch side of things is basically working. Is it possible that a clutch disk can be so badly worn that it spins the PTO at 20 or 30 RPM and you can stop it with gentle finger pressure?

Soundguy · Oct 15, 2015

what did the pulled shaft look like?

Browntroutman · Oct 15, 2015

I didn't pull the shaft as I checked it out a different way. Here is what I found:
I removed the PTO engagement lever and fork assembly and everything is good there. The sliding coupling has good teeth and it meshes properly with both the PTO output shaft and the splined collar that it engages into when you pull the lever to engage the PTO. With my buddy turning the PTO shaft at the rear of the tractor by hand I was able to properly engage and disengage the sliding coupling and see everything working. Unfortunately when I put the transmission into gear and took my foot off the clutch with the sliding coupling in the "engaged" position my buddy is still able to turn that PTO by hand with very little effort. I could see all of the parts that are visible at that time turning together properly. At this point with the tractor in gear and my foot off the clutch and the PTO engaged, should I not have a direct, mechanical connection throughout the system? In other words, we should not be able to turn that PTO by hand, right? I suspect my dreams of fixing this without splitting the tractor just went down the toilet!

tom4018 · Oct 15, 2015

To me it sounds like the clutch is the problem. As you said it would be a direct connection, unless something has happened to the shaft in front of the coupler you are seeing.

Browntroutman · Oct 15, 2015

That was my fear......I will have to split it to see what's going on. I'm surprised that a clutch can wear to the point where you can easily spin it by hand. Maybe I'll get lucky and it will be something else. A clutch kit is gonna cost a fortune up here! Thanks for all the assistance!

CDennyRun · Oct 15, 2015

Bummer to hear it man! If you have any American friends or family that wouldn't mind coming to hang out with you, you could ship it to their house, and have them bring it up. Just as a reference, around here it's basically $100 extra to have parts shipped to my Canadian co-workers in BC. I do it all the time for machine parts. Like stated above, you should try and pull the shaft to see if it snapped prior to spending the money though.

tom4018 · Oct 15, 2015

Browntroutman said:
That was my fear......I will have to split it to see what's going on. I'm surprised that a clutch can wear to the point where you can easily spin it by hand. Maybe I'll get lucky and it will be something else. A clutch kit is gonna cost a fortune up here! Thanks for all the assistance!

The center of the clutch may have came apart and not really have gotten worn out.