Loosing power to PTO. Hydraulic pump problem??

[cub3]

While running a 50 inch rototiller today, I noticed the tiller and PTO shaft slowing down and finally the tiller just rolling along as I drove. Then is would start up again a work for a while. I added fluid which seemed to help, but in an hour, the problem was back. The transmission casing seemed particularly hot. Do I have a pump going out? Thanks,

 

[Tx Jim]

Welcome to TBN
You will get better answers if you state what model & brand tractor tiller is connected to.

 

[cub3]

Welcome to TBN
You will get better answers if you state what model & brand tractor tiller is connected to.

Sure, the tractor is a 45 HP Antonio Carraro TC5400, the tiller is a John Deere 550 which is 50 inches wide. There is no slip clutch on this tiller. The engine is not bogging down but running with no apparent heavy load on it. This tractor has a "front" and "rear" transmission with independent hydraulic circuits. This tractor has always been temperamental if either transmission circuits hydraulic level is low. I usually have to jack up the rear of the tractor to get adequate level of fluid in the gearbox. The pump that delivers pressure to the PTO and the Diff. Lock, also feeds the "hydrodrive". It is not a hydrostatic transmission though. Each hydraulic circuit has a screw-on filter as well. That filter has about 700 hours on it.

 

[Tx Jim]

Both serial number catagory driveshafts for a JD 550 tiller have a slip clutch. Has the slipclutch on your tiller been eliminated?? SN break is SN 155001

 

[cub3]

Both serial number catagory driveshafts for a JD 550 tiller have a slip clutch. Has the slipclutch on your tiller been eliminated?? SN break is SN 155001

Sorry Jim, it does indeed have a slip clutch. The problem appears to be with the PTO drive itself though. I should have a new filter installed in the system tomorrow. Hope that takes care of the problem, otherwise it will no doubt be spendy. Thanks.

 

[Tx Jim]

I'd advise not to operate pto until you get problem resolved.

 

[cub3]

I took the filter off to change it and found a lot of fine brass filings in the fluid. Kinda made me sick. I am guessing that there is a PTO clutch inside the transmission that has brass discs and they are falling apart. Looks like my tractor will be spending part of the winter in northern Washington (Antonio Carraro dealer in Okanogan)