Rotary Cutter Razorback RZ160 slipping?

[waterwalkin]

My Razorback RZ160 cuts pretty good---but it seems to slip every now and then. Noisy rattling seems to come from the shaft area.

If I stop and take my tractor out of gear, and slowly ease off the clutch, the bush hog continues cutting. Then a while later, the shaft seems to be slipping and stops cutting. There seems to be a lot of action under the protective yellow sleeve when this happens.

I watch the pto end when I release the tractor's clutch and the pto seems to like the slow clutch release. The shaft starts turning. The gear box end of the shaft (on the RZ160) seems OK with the slow clutch release.

A normal clutch release produces rattling from the shaft area---and no rotation.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[bullbreaker]

Welcome to TBN ! :thumbsup:
Guessing you have a slip clutch on pto shaft, if so is it ajusted correctly ?
Pic's ?

Boone

 

[waterwalkin]

Thanks for the reply and the Luke 6:46.

I do not have pix but can get some next weekend. I wish I knew more about the slip clutch and the suggestion bullbraker. I inherited this from my Dad and use it to bush hog now that he's gone.

It's almost as if the inner shaft was slipping inside the outer shaft---and a slow clutch prevents the slipping.

 

[art]

Never seen a razorback with a slip clutch. They only come as an option with the Squealer and larger!!!

I'd think that you have sheared the shear pin and there is enough metal hanging that it is keeping the mower turning as long as the load isn't to high!

 

[waterwalkin]

Thanks.

 

[waterwalkin]

ANYONE. Is it possible that the driveline is damaged and needs replacement? The gear box seems OK. When I "take it easy" and release the tractor clutch slowly, the driveline seems to go along---and it turns the blades via gear box. But, when challenged in high grass or if I release the clutch too quickly---the driveline seems to slip. Anyone ever experience this? Thanks.

 

[kf4uda]

Sounds like you are going to have to remove the driveline covers and inspect the driveline. If the shaft is too short not allowing enough engagement between the two shafts, I suppose it is possible for the inner shaft to become worn and slip. Are you using the cutter on the same tractor as your Dad did?

Here is a link to the operator's manual and the parts manual which will show you the driveline componants.

http://www.bushhog.com/images/stories/documents/manuals/RZ160.pdf

http://www.bushhog.com/images/stories/documents/manuals/rz160parts.pdf

 

[waterwalkin]

Chris,

I am using the same tractor. It's a John Deere 2040. I will check the drive line and inner shaft for wear. Thank you for the links and taking the time to post.

If Dad was around, he'd know what to do. I am a very small chip off the block.

Mark

 

[kf4uda]

Mark, I know how you feel. I lost my Dad almost 2 years back. He and I worked on all kinds of stuff together for many years. He possessed a wealth of knowledge that I fall short of in a lot of areas.

I hope the manuals help you figure out your shaft problem.

 

[waterwalkin]

Sorry you lost your dad. My dad died January 2011. The place has not been the same.

 

[waterwalkin]

Chris,

I was able to take a closer look with the yellow protective jacket off the drive shaft. It appears the slipping occurs at the power take off shaft on the John Deere 2040. Either the PTO shaft is at fault or the yoke that connects the Razorback drive shaft to the PTO shaft. I think one or both could have failed (stripped).

Thanks for helping narrow down the source of the problem. Now I must find out if I replace the PTO shaft for 200 US dollars or the yoke for 85 US dollars.

 

[kf4uda]

Mark, I hope you come out with the cheaper option. I wouldn't be surprised to find that both the shaft and yoke are damaged but maybe not. I suggest that you check the shear bolt that connects the driveline to the gearbox. Make sure it is a grade 2 bolt. Grade 2 has no radial lines on the head (grade 5 has 3 lines and grade 8 has 6). Also make sure it is the proper size (probably 5/16" dia.) . You might also want to pickup a few extra and keep them in the tractor toolbox.

 

[waterwalkin]

Thanks Chris. Will do. Mark