Mowing PTO Slip Clutch Question

[Thirsty]

I have a XR 4046 that I use around the farm. I am rather new to tractor ownership and still learning. I generally rely on slip clutches installed on the equipment to protect my tractor. However, I recently acquired a 6' wide brush hog. It is rather old and does not have any sort of slip clutch installed. Today, I stalled the tractor when I hit a well hidden stump. Amazingly enough, nothing broke.

I am considering purchasing a:
WEASLER UNIVERSAL FRICTION CLUTCH, 1-3/8 IN., 6 SPLINE BOTH ENDS from TSC
Weasler Universal Friction Clutch, 1-3/8 in., 6 Spline Both Ends - For Life Out Here

1) Any better Ideas on what I should use to protect my tractor and brush hog?
2) Will this fit my tractor?
3) Can I mount this directly onto the output PTO shaft on the back of my tractor and use it for multiple pieces of equipment?
4) Is this slip clutch held on with a spring and pin assembly similar to PTO shafts? I don't want to be installing and removing bolts to put this unit on and off.

Thanks in advance for any information/advice.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Looks like that is made to attach to your tractor pto stub. I assume it uses the spring pin method - ask them. It should work fine but you will probably have to shorten the telescoping pto shaft for the implement. ... Note that 8000 in-lb will stall your tractor. You want a graceful stall not abrupt. May have to loosen the spring tension a little to get it right.

 

[sdef]

Looks like that is made to attach to your tractor pto stub. I assume it uses the spring pin method - ask them. It should work fine but you will probably have to shorten the telescoping pto shaft for the implement. ... Note that 8000 in-lb will stall your tractor. You want a graceful stall not abrupt. May have to loosen the spring tension a little to get it right.

+1: I have one that appears to be identical to yours I purchased from Agri Supply some time back and was going to install it on a flail mower I eventually sold before installing this. The only downsides to using a slip clutch that I am away of are:

1- If you use for multiple implements, each implement may require a different torque setting (tightening or loosening the bolt evenly). You may be fortunate and find a sweet spot that works for multiple implements.

2- You will most likely have to shorten the PTO shaft to make up for the extra length caused by the slip clutch. If you have a post hole digger, this extra length/shortening the PTO shaft might be able to be negated by moving the boom to a higher location which may allow enough driveshaft room for the slip clutch. Assuming the higher boom position still works in your circumstance for hole digging.

 

[aarolar]

Don't buy from TSC get it from Agri Supply. Same quality much cheaper.

Slip Clutch-PTO Slip Clutch | Agri Supply #68385

 

[SPYDERLK]

Don't buy from TSC get it from Agri Supply. Same quality much cheaper.

Slip Clutch-PTO Slip Clutch | Agri Supply #68385

Can you translate the agri supply description?

 

[sdef]

Mine appears to be identical to the TSC unit mentioned by the OP but purchased at Agri Supply on sale for ~ $125 two years ago. The current Grizzly model at Agri Supply sure is a lot less expensive. In its description it states it is for series 4,5,6,and 7 PTO shafts. I have never heard of this rating for PTO shafts and was only familiar with the class rating (such as class 1, 2, 3, 4) and found this web site that helps with determining a PTO shaft's series: http://www.paulbparts.com/resources/determining-your-pto-series.pdf

 

[Thirsty]

Thanks to all of you for your input. I have sent out some e-mail's asking how these slip clutches are installed. I'll post what I find.

I am always suspicious when there is such a large difference in price. Any insight into why the unit from TSC is twice as much as the unit from Agri Supply? Could be the torque they are rated for. I have a question out to Agri Supply asking for the torque rating of their unit. Again, I'll post what I find.

Thanks again. I appreciate you helping me with this.

 

[Thirsty]

Here are the questions I sent to Agri Supply along with their answers:

Questions:
I have a LS XR-4046. I am looking for a slip clutch to mount on the tractor PTO output shaft so I can use the slip clutch for multiple pieces of equipment.
1) Does the GR-1 PTO Slip Clutch, Splined, #68385 have a quick connect/disconnect design. I do not want something I need to bolt on.
2) What is the torque rating of this slip clutch?

Answers:
this clutch has an 866 ft. lbs. of torque and is a 6 spline with a push pin on it but i guess you know it does not mount to the tractor,it mounts on the implement.

-------
To be able to compare the two slip clutches, the conversion from ft. lbs. to inch lbs is: 866 ft. lbs = 10392 inch lbs

So.... the slip clutch from TSC cost more and is rated for less torque. In my opinion, this confirms the recommendation by aarolar to buy the one from Agri Supply.

(as previously posted by SPYDERLK, 8000 inch lbs will stall my tractor so no matter which one I buy, I will need to adjust the clutch so it slips before the tractor stalls.)

You guys have been awesome. I really appreciate your help and advice. I'm ordering my new slip clutch from Agri Supply today.

Oh, one more thing, the issue about where to mount the slip clutch is discussed in a previous post titled "Slip clutch on PTO".

Thanks again.

 

[SPYDERLK]

(as previously posted by SPYDERLK, 8000 inch lbs will stall my tractor so no matter which one I buy, I will need to adjust the clutch so it slips before the tractor stalls.)

With a reasonably robust implement it is best to adjust it to slip as the tractor stalls. A slip in normal max engine torque use is liable to go unnoticed and continue and burn. While a hard/quick stall is horrible due all the flywheel mass in the system, a graceful stall is no problem. You just need a little slip to prevent the extreme loading of a hard linked system, and you would detect and have the time to react.

 

[Thirsty]

Good clarification SPYDERLK. Thank you.

 

[5030]

I have a XR 4046 that I use around the farm. I am rather new to tractor ownership and still learning. I generally rely on slip clutches installed on the equipment to protect my tractor. However, I recently acquired a 6' wide brush hog. It is rather old and does not have any sort of slip clutch installed. Today, I stalled the tractor when I hit a well hidden stump. Amazingly enough, nothing broke.

I am considering purchasing a:
WEASLER UNIVERSAL FRICTION CLUTCH, 1-3/8 IN., 6 SPLINE BOTH ENDS from TSC
Weasler Universal Friction Clutch, 1-3/8 in., 6 Spline Both Ends - For Life Out Here

1) Any better Ideas on what I should use to protect my tractor and brush hog?
2) Will this fit my tractor?
3) Can I mount this directly onto the output PTO shaft on the back of my tractor and use it for multiple pieces of equipment?
4) Is this slip clutch held on with a spring and pin assembly similar to PTO shafts? I don't want to be installing and removing bolts to put this unit on and off.

Thanks in advance for any information/advice.

Exactly what I employ id my implement don't have a built in overrunning clutch or ratchet clutch arrangement. You can get the Weasler in various combinations and spline configurations, 6 spline for 540 or 21 spline for 1000. They come as implement output shaft add on's, that is in the case of 540, a 6 spline female input to a 6 spline male to fit to your pto shaft.

Little hint. Back off the torsion springs all the way and slip the clutch by locking the implement side to burnish off the paint on the discs and then torque the torsion springs to the weasler recommended settings (can be found on their website) to your implement input torque value. Mine have saved my bacon (implement drivelines) more than once.

You can get them at TSC or Agri-Supply.

 

[Thirsty]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Bluesteel]

Just so you are clear the slip clutch is suppose to be mounted to the implement. Slip clutches on rotary mowers are usually replacing out the shear bolt system. You can use the same PTO shaft on the slip clutch with 1 3/8" smooth both ends using grade 8 bolts. You may have to shorten the shaft. Generally slip clutches are made to mount to the implement and not move them.

 

[Bluesteel]

Mine appears to be identical to the TSC unit mentioned by the OP but purchased at Agri Supply on sale for ~ $125 two years ago. The current Grizzly model at Agri Supply sure is a lot less expensive. In its description it states it is for series 4,5,6,and 7 PTO shafts. I have never heard of this rating for PTO shafts and was only familiar with the class rating (such as class 1, 2, 3, 4) and found this web site that helps with determining a PTO shaft's series: http://www.paulbparts.com/resources/determining-your-pto-series.pdf

Some use series, some use class. One and the same. Series is the correct terminology. Most 6 foot rotary mowers use a series 3 or series 4 pto shaft.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Just so you are clear the slip clutch is suppose to be mounted to the implement. Slip clutches on rotary mowers are usually replacing out the shear bolt system. You can use the same PTO shaft on the slip clutch with 1 3/8" smooth both ends using grade 8 bolts. You may have to shorten the shaft. Generally slip clutches are made to mount to the implement and not move them.

Yes! Mounting on the implement is the most mechanically sound assembly because it replaces a shear bolt mechanism and thus does not add much rigid length overhanging the bearings. ... Still, I hear of some added on the tractor end because its easy. - I would make an effort to avoid that configuration.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Here are the questions I sent to Agri Supply along with their answers:

Questions:
I have a LS XR-4046. I am looking for a slip clutch to mount on the tractor PTO output shaft so I can use the slip clutch for multiple pieces of equipment.
1) Does the GR-1 PTO Slip Clutch, Splined, #68385 have a quick connect/disconnect design. I do not want something I need to bolt on.
2) What is the torque rating of this slip clutch?

Answers:
this clutch has an 866 ft. lbs. of torque and is a 6 spline with a push pin on it but i guess you know it does not mount to the tractor,it mounts on the implement.

-------
To be able to compare the two slip clutches, the conversion from ft. lbs. to inch lbs is: 866 ft. lbs = 10392 inch lbs

So.... the slip clutch from TSC cost more and is rated for less torque. In my opinion, this confirms the recommendation by aarolar to buy the one from Agri Supply.

(as previously posted by SPYDERLK, 8000 inch lbs will stall my tractor so no matter which one I buy, I will need to adjust the clutch so it slips before the tractor stalls.)

You guys have been awesome. I really appreciate your help and advice. I'm ordering my new slip clutch from Agri Supply today.

Oh, one more thing, the issue about where to mount the slip clutch is discussed in a previous post titled "Slip clutch on PTO".

Thanks again.

Could you link this? ... I get 50 pages of search results. Doesnt appear to search exact wording even with quotes " ". :confused3:

 

[5030]

Yes! Mounting on the implement is the most mechanically sound assembly because it replaces a shear bolt mechanism and thus does not add much rigid length overhanging the bearings. ... Still, I hear of some added on the tractor end because its easy. - I would make an effort to avoid that configuration.

On most tractors with a PTO shield, the Weasler won't mount to the PTO stub anyway. It's too large to clear the shield. Weasler recommends implement mounting only btw.

 

[Thirsty]

Could you link this? ... I get 50 pages of search results. Doesnt appear to search exact wording even with quotes " ". :confused3:

This is the link you are looking for, correct?

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/184798-slip-clutch-pto.html

 

[Bluesteel]

This is the link you are looking for, correct?

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/184798-slip-clutch-pto.html

If you do put a slip clutch on you also need to put the large drum shield on to cover the clutch. It bolts to the front of the gear box.

 

[5030]

If you do put a slip clutch on you also need to put the large drum shield on to cover the clutch. It bolts to the front of the gear box.

I don't use any shield, never have, but then I'm smart enough to stay out of harm's way. I've farmed for decades and still have all my parts (and hair thought it's getting sparse).

Need....maybe. required, not really if you have some wits about you.