JD970 Clutch/PTO Problem?

HuntsEndFarm · Jun 3, 2003

Hi everyone, I have learned alot over the last several months reading stuff all over this website. Your suggestions helped me with the purchase a '95 JD 970 (500 hours) with a FEL, BH, chipper shredder, and log splitter to help lessen the load on my '56 Ferguson TO35 (which I hope to restore soon). I have had the JD for about a month now and am finding it to be as useful as I hoped. However, buying used, I expected I might have to deal with some mechanical issues. But for the price I was willing to take the chance.

Here's the only problem I have found. When I go to engage the PTO (rear only) I can't seem to find a way to keep it from grinding the gear. I have both shifters in neutral, the clutch pushed all the way down to the frame and the throttle at idle. Is this a clutch problem or a PTO problem and if it's a clutch problem is it just an adjustment or will it need replacement?

Thanks for the help,
Mike

BB_TX · Jun 3, 2003

Sounds like a stuck PTO clutch, a fairly common problem. The clutch plates rust and stick to the pressure plate. If it is recently stuck, you may be able to free it by putting a sudden load on the PTO. For example, you could get your rotary cutter up to speed and then drop it in some tall grass with the clutch depressed. The sudden load may break it loose. If it has been stuck for a while, it may mean separating the tractor and replacing the clutch. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif If you are really lucky, there may be an inspection port on your bell housing that you can insert a screwdriver or such to separate the clutch from the pressure plate.
To prevent the problem, operating manuals often recommend blocking the clutch pedal down when the tractor is not going to be used for extended periods. How do I know? Mine is stuck also and I havn't been able to get it loose. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

BB_TX · Jun 4, 2003

Mike - Does your 970 have the 2-stage clutch? On the 2-stage clutch, if you press the clutch pedal down halfway, it is supposed to disengage the main drive clutch but leave the PTO clutch engaged. Pressing the pedal all the way down should then disengage the PTO clutch. If you are really really lucky, it could be a simple adjustment. If the tractor stops moving with the clutch halfway down, but the PTO keeps turning with the clutch all the way down, then that is probably not the case. If the tractor does not stop until the pedal is all the way down, then it may be an adjustment. When you test it like that, be sure to have some implement attached to the PTO shaft.

HuntsEndFarm · Jun 5, 2003

Yes, I have the two stage clutch but I seem to remember being able to shift with the clutch pedal halfway (or was it more that halfway? I'll have to check) Wouldn't there be some play in the pedal when released if it needed an adjustment? Right now there is no play.

I'll see if I can check it today. It's the first time we have seen the sun in what seems like forever. If this rain keeps coming, Maryland will be in the ocean.

Thanks

BB_TX · Jun 5, 2003

I have a 950 with the 2 stage clutch. I have a service manual that details how to adjust it. But my tractor and manual are about 30 miles away and I won't be getting up there for a couple weeks. If you haven't figured it out by then, I can look in my manual to see what it says.
Grinding the gears is not good. Right now I have my PTO safety lockout switch bypassed (I know, I know, that's not good either /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif). When I hook up my rotary cutter, I engage the PTO before I start the engine so that I don't damage my gears. I make sure no one is around and I only do that if I am sitting in the tractor seat.

BB_TX · Jun 5, 2003

Just happen to notice that there are 2 service manuals for sale on ebay for the 970. These are the IT manuals so I don't know if they are as good as an original Deere manual or not.

JohnMiller3 · Jun 5, 2003

JD 970 Dual-Clutch Assembly

KEY PART NO. PART NAME QTY SERIAL NO. REMARKS
1 M806764 CLUTCH 1 PTO, (SUB FOR M804454)
2 CH13693 CLUTCH PLATE 1
3 CH13687 DISK SPRING 2 DIAPHRAGM
4 CH13694 COVER 1 CLUTCH
5 CH13682 PIN 4
6 M808625 CLUTCH DISK 1 MAIN, (SUB FOR M804455 AND M806407)
7 CH15626 NUT 3
8 CH13692 CLUTCH PLATE 1
9 CH13690 BOLT 3
10 CH18030 KIT 1 PIN
KEY PART NO. PART NAME QTY SERIAL NO. REMARKS
11 CH18031 KIT 1 ROD RELEASE
12 CH13695 COVER 1 CLUTCH
13 CH18033 KIT 1 PIN
14 CH18032 KIT 1 LEVER RELEASE
15 CH20185 KIT 1 ADJUSTING BOLT
16 24M7055 WASHER 6 8.400 X 16 X 1.600 MM
17 19M7325 CAP SCREW 6 M8 X 80
12M7065 LOCK WASHER 6 8 MM
18 M804456 SHAFT 1 CLUTCH INNER
19 M802990 SPRING 2
KEY PART NO. PART NAME QTY SERIAL NO. REMARKS
20 AM877477 KIT 1 SLEEVE BEARING
21 CH13095 BUSHING 2
22 CH13096 SEAL 2 (FELT)
23 M804457 SLEEVE 1
24 CH13099 BEARING 1
25 AM879876 CLUTCH 1 (SUB FOR AM877476, AM878497 AND AM878798)

HuntsEndFarm · Jun 6, 2003

Ok, I tried to free the clutch this evening but no luck. Since I had nothing to jam the bushog on (I dug up all my stumps with my backhoe) I put the chipper/shredder on and proceeded to chip big branches still while my wife held down the clutch. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Does anyone out there with a 970 (or similar, maybe 790?) know if there is anyway to free it other than splitting the tractor? And if I do have to end up taking it to the dealer what does something like that cost?

Thanks,

JohnMiller3 · Jun 6, 2003

<font color="blue">...what does something like that cost?... </font>

Hi Mike,

I'm sorry you're not having any luck freeing it up...

If you end up splitting the unit... you might as well do it right...

replace both clutch disc's, throwout brg, and trans. seal as a minimum and obviously you check out and replace anything else that's needed while it's opened up...

Pricing will vary, but I'd expect anywhere from $900- 1600... and I may be behind the times on pricing... (I did my MF135 about 3 years ago with some friends, not a dealer)

Sometimes, you can get lucky by oscillating the clutch pedal, and "popping" the clutch erratically... as a last resort when you have nothing else to lose... (with the rotary cutter into a pile of thick brush, while raising and lowering the cutter into the brush simultaneously...)

JohnMiller3 · Jun 6, 2003

Mike,

I reread the post and "thought" your PTO disc was stuck... but that was another member suggesting it...

It sounds like normal wear of the PTO clutch disc, that may be near the end of its life... and if so, would need to be split...

(In any case, get a professional JD mechanic's opinion and possible look-see... as they do this day in and day out and may have a simpler solution/adjustment that we're not aware of...)