Over-run clutch

[superwilly]

I have a 1991 Kubota L2350DT. It has a non live PTO. I'm having some frustration running the brush hog. anytime you disengage the clutch to turn or adjust speed on uneven ground (which I have a lot of) obviously the PTO disengages also and I loose cutting strength in that area and the area I cover as the PTO and mower blade is getting back to rec. RPM's. I was told about an over run clutch helping possibly. I don't really know anything about them. Anyone have any input, knowledge of, experience with, or opinions on this option or any other ideas for my non live PTO struggles????? (besides by a new tractor :} ) I tried and the boss said "Do whatever the %*$# you want", but for some reason I don't think that meant "sure dear, go ahead and finance the 30K for the tractor you really want"

Dream on right

thanks for your help

 

[aczlan]

what a overrun clutch does is let the bushhog keep spinning if you turn the PTO off, if yours is spinning down too fast when you hit the clutch, it may help. some tractors have a 2 stage clutch (dunno if yours has one) that lets you push the clutch down 1/2 way to disengage the drive while keeping the PTO spinning, when you push the clutch all the way down it disengages the PTO... might be worth checking if yours has that.

Aaron Z

 

[superwilly]

Mine does not have a 2 stage clutch. But that info on the over run clutch is helpfull. Thank you. has anyone ever installed one or had a tractor with one on it, and has some experience as to their effectiveness???

 

[rdbrumfield]

the overrun clutch is just a coupling that goes on your exiting pto shaft and has the splines for you to hook up your emplement. Thing is, it will not help you in your case. I have to ask though, does the pto come out of gear, or just slow down when you put the clutch in. if it comes out of gear, something is not right with your tractor. when you slow the tractor engine everything slows, before you need to slow down for anything, use a lower gear to keep the pto at operating speed. i would expect that there is an overruning clutch already in you tractor. To check, put the pto in gear with engine off, go and take the shaft by hand and try to turn it to the right, if you hear clicking that is the clutch, it should not turn to the left, counter clockwise.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Mine does not have a 2 stage clutch. But that info on the over run clutch is helpfull. Thank you. has anyone ever installed one or had a tractor with one on it, and has some experience as to their effectiveness???

I picked up a used over running clutch to put on my Iseki TX1500, but it was for the opposite reason from what you are describing. My problem was that the momentum of the spinning bush hog would drive the wheels even with the clutch in. The over-running clutch made a world of difference. I found that with the over-running clutch installed, I mowed closer to obstacles, etc. since I wasn't worried about the bush hog driving the tractor.

It is a lot safer too. I had my elaborate plan all figured out if I had to stop the tractor quickly without the ORC. I would have to reach down and pop the tractor out of gear and possibly even pop the PTO into neutral. Then, I'd apply the brake and power down. No matter how quickly I could have done all that, I still would have taken a few extra feet to stop.

Post back if you have the overrunning problem where the implement drives the tractor. An ORC may help you since you'll find yourself clutching less often and for shorter times since you are not having to wait for all that momentum to wind down before making any turns or transmission adjustments.

 

[Stimw]

I used an ORC on a Ford 8-N with a bushhog. Before the ORC if you pushed the foot clutch in the tractor kept moving because the rear axle was direct connected to the PTO shaft when PTO was in gear. The bushhog acted like a flywheel and drove the tractor. It was dangerous without the ORC.
The ORC is really just a ratchet that is locked in forward direction and coasts when overrun. Your PTO shaft needs to have a hole in it. You remove a grease fitting on the ORC and put a pin through the PTO shaft. IIRC they only cost around $50. I have a Branson 3510 now and don't need 1940's technology.

 

[Soundguy]

the overrun clutch is just a coupling that goes on your exiting pto shaft and has the splines for you to hook up your emplement. Thing is, it will not help you in your case. .

I think you may not understand his problem... it will very likely help in his situation as he does not have to let the blade spin al the way down before shifiting back to a travel gear.. sinc ethe pto will be tied to his driveline in a non live, tranny pto machine..

Quite commonly people shifted to N.. engaged pto.. got mower up to pto speed.. or a lil more.. clutched, and then shifted into gear and went.. as they let out the clutch, the pto was being driven once again.. vs freewheeling..

soundguy

 

[superwilly]

Good info. I checked with the local Kubota dealer and the tractor is supposed to have an ORC factory installed. I have to now go out and verify that. (The tractor is at our property, no house built there yet so it's a 45 min drive) I suspect it is there though, because when I put the clutch in the PTO (mower) doesn't try to drive the tactor wheels farther. I suspect slower speed and keeping the PTO RPM's up is going to be the key. Thanks for all your guys info

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Good info. I checked with the local Kubota dealer and the tractor is supposed to have an ORC factory installed. I have to now go out and verify that. (The tractor is at our property, no house built there yet so it's a 45 min drive) I suspect it is there though, because when I put the clutch in the PTO (mower) doesn't try to drive the tactor wheels farther. I suspect slower speed and keeping the PTO RPM's up is going to be the key. Thanks for all your guys info

If your mower is winding down to ineffective speeds in the time it takes you to change gears, you might check into other things like a bad gearbox or brush stuck under the stump jumper. Unless you are in some pretty thick grass or brush, your mower shouldn't really slow down that much.