Problems with new brush cutter...Concern of tractor damage?

[inode]

I purchased a new Titan 1606 cutter back in December. This cutter came with a slip clutch as opposed to a shear pin and is being used behind my Kubota M7060HD12. I had a chance to use it for the first time this weekend in some fairly heavy brush. I was told that it was prepped and ready to go by the dealer that delivered it.

Upon using it, I had two separate instances where I ran over an unseen stump hiding in 6' tall brush. In both instances, it killed the engine on the tractor. I never heard the clutch slip and the engine and cutter stopped immediately. RPMs were running around 1,800 in ePTO when this occurred. My questions are this:


1) I'm now concerned the shock load may have caused damage to the tractor. How would I know other than the PTO not working? The gearbox on the cutter is rated for 100HP.
2) I have read the manual of the cutter and it mentioned that the clutch was setup to work properly from the factory. The cutter has not been in the weather as it's stored in the barn. Should I loosen the clutch and re-adjust? The manual is not straightforward on how to accomplish this. I'll have to research how to approach this.
3) I'm cutting the brush fairly tall and am still hitting stumps. This land was forest a few years back. What's the best approach in cutting without risking damage to my new tractor?


Thanks

 

[SDT]

Your 7060 engine at 1,800 RPM is probably producing only about 40 or so PTO HP. It is no wonder that the engine stalled immediately upon hitting a stump.

Regardless of what your dealer said, nobody adjusts a slip clutch prior to sale. That said, you should loosen, slip, and adjust it to your tractor. Do so in regular rather than ePTO. You should also loosen and slip it yearly to prevent corrosion lock.

Slip clutches do not make audible noise when slipping so it is understandable that you "never heard the clutch slip."

If your tractor PTO still operates as it should, it is unlikely that you have damaged anything yet but a good visual inspection is in order.

Tractor/rotary cutter combinations are not designed to hit stumps except in rare exceptions. You would be well served to hire someone with a bull dozer to remove the stumps rather than destroy a new tractor and mower.

I would also advise that you avoid the use of ePTO when mowing unfamiliar ground.

SDT

 

[skipperbrown]

As noted, if you are mowing in places where you don't know what is there, mow slow and loosen your slip clutch to the point where it just doesn't slip going through the thick stuff. It will be obvious when it slips because it won't cut grass. Mine will chatter. If you slip it, you need to immediately stop and disengage because you can quickly burn up your clutch. I usually drive over an unknown area before cutting if I suspect there are unseen hazards. Transmissions are pretty tough. I doubt you damaged your tractor. Run it in some thin stuff and listen/feel for anything unusual. If you do hear something different or feel a vibration, stop. Try again with another PTO implement. If you still notice something different, get your tractor to a repair shop.

 

[dusty3030]

Would spraying it and doing a controlled burn be an option? That is how I would clear it knowing it was an old cutover. Just wait till you mow over an old choker cable or whatever else was left by loggers.

 

[repete]

Your 7060 engine at 1,800 RPM is probably producing only about 40 or so PTO HP. It is no wonder that the engine stalled immediately upon hitting a stump.

Regardless of what your dealer said, nobody adjusts a slip clutch prior to sale. That said, you should loosen, slip, and adjust it to your tractor. Do so in regular rather than ePTO. You should also loosen and slip it yearly to prevent corrosion lock.

Slip clutches do not make audible noise when slipping so it is understandable that you "never heard the clutch slip."

If your tractor PTO still operates as it should, it is unlikely that you have damaged anything yet but a good visual inspection is in order.

Tractor/rotary cutter combinations are not designed to hit stumps except in rare exceptions. You would be well served to hire someone with a bull dozer to remove the stumps rather than destroy a new tractor and mower.

I would also advise that you avoid the use of ePTO when mowing unfamiliar ground.

SDT

This reminds me of when my brother had purchased a new rototiller and when it was running it killed the tractor when it hit something that stopped it. I do not recall what it was but it really makes no difference. Anyway, it was equipped with a clutch and I thought it odd to have killed the tractor motor.

Upon examination of the clutch, we found it was frozen together. The "New" tiller had been stored outside and corrosion had locked it solid. He took it back to the dealer and they said they had never run into this before. Hard to believe as there was a row of tillers in the rain. My assumption was that many people have no idea that it is meant to slip under extreme conditions.

After installing the new clutch we put a felt pen mark across the clutch assembly then really bogged it down and verified the line we drew was no longer "straight" verifying the clutch had in fact slipped at times. A point and shoot thermometer will verify by temp that it is not slipping under normal conditions during use. Cool means no slipping, extremely hot means too much slipping. Somewhere in there is the "sweet spot" for you machine.

 

[inode]

Would spraying it and doing a controlled burn be an option? That is how I would clear it knowing it was an old cutover. Just wait till you mow over an old choker cable or whatever else was left by loggers.

This is a good idea. I may look into burning off.

 

[JWR]

SDT in Post #5 provides good advice. I agree you really should loosen the slip clutch and then tighten/adjust it to "reasonable" tightness. There should have been a user's manual with your cutter. Insist on one and it will surely give you an adjustment procedure. I know this is not kosher to a lot of people, but once in a while I run my engine up to full rated rpm and then engage the PTO rather than engaging at low rpm. The slip clutch squeaks fairly loudly during that engagement and I know then the slip clutch is slipping as it should. Over a lot of usage you learn what it sounds like and your calibrated ear is not that bad.

On the ePTO you should check the Titan specs (and/or question whoever you bought it from) about compatibility and what RPM it is supposed to be run at. I'd guess it is much more likely to be made to run with a std. 540 rpm PTO. I'd get that sorted out first before other things.

And on the topic of damage: Unless you hear or feel something nasty and new out of the tractor after the incident I doubt you have damaged it.

 

[diesel85]

First thing I do before operating a piece of equipment with a slipper clutch is to make sure it's adjusted properly. AND not frozen prior to use!

Here's a video...

Adjusting a PTO Slip Clutch - YouTube

There are tons of videos and articles out there on how to do this if you don't like this guy.

Most new implements that come with that kind of shaft, also come with a PTO safety and adjustment booklet for that particular PTO shaft. This includes information on cutting, adjustments/lube, clutch/shear pin guides, along with other important safety information.

On a side note... I'd love to own a M7060, and you'd better believe I'd be checking everything before hitting that PTO lever.... along with what I'm working with on the ground.

 

[bullbreaker]

Inode also while your checking things over from great advise you have been given check your b hogs gear box oil level if you have not done so already and not take dealers word for it just in case . Remember it goes filled to a correct level and not completely jam packed with oil . Read specs on weight might be 80/90 .

 

[ruffdog]

Would spraying it and doing a controlled burn be an option? That is how I would clear it knowing it was an old cutover. Just wait till you mow over an old choker cable or whatever else was left by loggers.

Right after I bought this property, I bought my 982 and was mowing for the first time. Surprise, surprise, they still had the house hooked up to 700ft of temporary phone wire through the field. I bet it took me two hours getting that wad of wire cut out from under that mower deck.