JD 445 PTO Cutting Out

[Rob_H]

So I was mowing along on Sunday and the PTO decided to cut out. I would go about 5 feet, and it would stop again. If I held the button up for several seconds it was OK. This happened 10 or 12 times in about 1/2 hour. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

Rob H.

 

[bontai_Joe]

Sounds like the air gap between the clutch faces has grown too big for the energized magnet to pull them together. Space should be around .018" and needs to be checked with a feeler gage at all 3 (or 4) spring loaded adjusting screws. As you tighten each screw. it affects the setting at the other screws, so you need to check each one several times as you dial it in.

 

[Rob_H]

Thanks Joe!

Now for the really dumb question - where is the clutch, and how do I get to it?

Rob

 

[Rob_H]

Just for clarity this is a 2001 manufactured unit, 2 wheel steer with 410 hours on the meter, and the model 40 loader and subframe. I bought it in May 2005 with 340 hours, and it had been extremely well maintained and documented. I've changed fluids etc. as required, but it has not been to the JD dealer for maintenance.

Rob

 

[Dutch445]

Rob,
There is no electric clutch with an air gap on this tractor. Your clutch
is hydraulic, and is located inside the transmission.
You more than likely have an electrical issue, whether it's in the
seat switch, pto switch, or rio switch.
The problem could also come from the circuit board, which is located under
the dash panel on the right hand side.. (you should see the red and green lights in there when the tractor is runnins)
I guess there are a few things to do to try to figure out which one is causing the problem.
DOes the PTO restart every time you restart it?
If so, then it probably isn't the circuit board, and it's probably a switch.
Does the rio work properly? does the shut down of the PTO correlate to any particular hydro foot position?
(sometimes the RIO gets out of adjustment and a return to neutral can
actually trip the RIO switch and turn the PTO off)
Is there any chance that the seat switch is causing the PTO to shut down?
(possibly leaning a little forward on the seat could cause this)

I think with a little more research we can pin down your problem. THere aren't a lot of hours on the machine... so I'm not really leaning towards the
circuit board yet..

 

[Rob_H]

Thanks Dutch;

I can answer your questions:

Yes the PTO restarts just fine
Yes the RIO switch seems to be working correctly
Cutting out seems to be independent of the hydro foot position - while moving forward at a constant speed, it will still cut out
It seems like the seat switch is the likely culprit. I've suspected a problem with it for a while. I can stand up and it takes 10-20 seconds for the PTO to cut out. I have also been off the tractor without the parking brake set and it keeps running.

Is that a do it yourself fix, or do I need to get it to a dealer?

Thanks again!

Rob H

 

[Dutch445]

Rob,
You can do that yourself,, it's pretty easy.
It does sound like it's been acting up.

Have you had the tractor stall at all while driving around
without the PTO on? (and there is a 2 or3 second delay
built into that circuit also)

 

[Rob_H]

No Dutch - it hasn't stalled (except when I'm bush hogging the wetlands with the 54"MMM)

I'll look into getting the switch and changing it out.

Thanks again!

Rob