Question about PTO Operation

kpbeddin · May 1, 2011

Thats not good. I have one on the way so I will be shipping mine back too.

LittleBlueTractor · May 1, 2011

kpbeddin said:
Thats not good. I have one on the way so I will be shipping mine back too.

Hey Keith,

Look at your brush hog first before shipping it back -- it might fit back there. Unfortunately, that didn't work for me. Actually, I think they want you to use it on the other end of the PTO shaft for safety reasons.

There are no instructions, but it's pretty obvious how it works IF you have a hole in the PTO shaft. It comes with two zerk fittings and the holding pin will go between them through the PTO shaft. The hole in the PTO shaft may be a JD thing. It looks like this:

I'm going to need one with a quick disconnect like this:

Anybody know where I can get one like it for $50-$60?

EDIT: I just found one here:

Quick disconnect PTO overrun clutch

Any other sources?

kpbeddin · May 2, 2011

Hey Little Blue,
After looking at my setup, I went ahead and bought a quick connect type from my dealer (who is also my neighbor). Had I paid shipping, the price somewhere else would have been a wash and I got it today and have used it already. Also, he has given me such great deals on everything else, I wouldn't have minded paying him a little extra. I think you will find this to be exactly what you need as I did. Just be careful and make sure your shaft doesn't need to be shortened; mine was OK since I had installed Pat's easy change hitches which lengthened the lift arms by about the same amount. Take care

houstonscott · May 2, 2011

I had the new U5030 out mowing this weekend. First timer. I broke the shear pin too. I was fine for about two hours but after stopping I guess I had to much RPM on and it broke. Believe me it wasn't hard to do, not sure if it happened when I engaged PRO after stopping or when I put some RPR on after starting to role. I did throttle up a bit fast and that is what most likely sheared the pin. Anyway guess I'll learn how to change it out fast. I decided to mow at a tractor RPM or 2000 that was well below the PTO 540 mark. I want to run that engine in slowly and and I want the gearing in the mower to turn slowly for a while too. Any thoughts there? I changed RPM's like breaking in a car diesel from 2000 to 2100 and back for the first two hours. Don't plan to move up to 2600RPM until after the first 50hrs are in and the first oil change is made. My own break-in schedule. Just an old school diesel boat guy.

HS

Gary Fowler · May 3, 2011

The twist to unlock PTO overrun clutch is available at RCO tractor, but it aint cheap at $69 plus shipping. Man things have went up since I bought mine 3 years ago. I saw them at Atwoods a while back, but didnt price them but I dont think they were that much.
RCO Tractor - Tractor Safety Equipment

Gary Fowler · May 3, 2011

I have to apologize to everyone. I just found my tractor invoice and my overrun clutch was $65 so I guess $68 is not a bad price but the $15 shipping is not good. Surely a tractor dealer in the vicinity has them although I am not convinced that you guys with an independent PTO really need them. I just cant see that the PTO would lock up if the ignition switch was accidently turned off. It seems to me that the inertia in the mower would keep turning the engine till it spun down, just like the old 8n would keep pushing you forward if you clutched it, even with you on the brakes. I've been there, done that and still never sheared a pin.
I would just experiment on that at the risk of having to replace a shear bolt by turning off the key with the PTO in gear before spending $83 for an overrun clutch that you shouldnt need on independent PTO. DO they even make a tractor now without independent PTO clutch?

kpbeddin · May 3, 2011

Gary, It probably is overkill but I feel better having one because in my brief experience using the overrun clutch I have heard it ratchet down nearly every time I slow the RPMs or turn the PTO off. If nothing else it is an extra layer of protection that keeps undue stress off of the shear pin and more importantly, the drive line when using those implements that tend to continue after stopping the PTO.

Gary Fowler · May 4, 2011

Tractor Supply Company has a slip clutch that replaces the shear pin system for $129 for better protection of your system if anyone is interested. My new bush hog has a slip clutch on it and it is the only one I have ever had with a slip clutch so I cant say how well I like it yet as I didnt have anything to cut when I picked it up in March. Hope to see how well it works when I get home next time.

For you guys installing the overrun clutch, make sure that the drive shaft is not too long. Prior to hooking it up, raise the implement to full height and make sure your PTO shaft will retract far enough to keep from pushing in on your tractor shaft.

LittleBlueTractor · May 4, 2011

Gary Fowler said:
I have to apologize to everyone. I just found my tractor invoice and my overrun clutch was $65 so I guess $68 is not a bad price but the $15 shipping is not good. Surely a tractor dealer in the vicinity has them although I am not convinced that you guys with an independent PTO really need them. I just cant see that the PTO would lock up if the ignition switch was accidently turned off. It seems to me that the inertia in the mower would keep turning the engine till it spun down, just like the old 8n would keep pushing you forward if you clutched it, even with you on the brakes. I've been there, done that and still never sheared a pin.
I would just experiment on that at the risk of having to replace a shear bolt by turning off the key with the PTO in gear before spending $83 for an overrun clutch that you shouldnt need on independent PTO. DO they even make a tractor now without independent PTO clutch?

No apologies necessary Gary. I've already sent back the one I got from AgriSupply. I've got a buddy that lives in Austin who will drop by RCO and pick me up one before he comes to Houston in a few weeks, so I don't have to pay for the shipping.

I'm pretty sure I'll be OK on the PTO shaft length as I've already extended it by a few inches by installing the 3 pt. quick hitch.