Reversing Overrunning Coupler

[willfick]

This summer I got a might-well-be-as-old-as-the-tractor
pull-behind brushhog for my Farmall H. I added a slip
clutch (I couldn't find anything that looked like a shear
pin) and an overrunning coupler.
When I bring the mower up to speed and then try to shift
into gear the drag of the ORC will keep the countershaft
spinning enough (at least when it's hot and the 90wt. is
thin) to make the gears grind.
It seems to me that if I could put the ORC at the mower
end of the PTO the added resistance of the two u-joints
would help. At least I would be able to see if the
shaft was spining and wait a little longer before shoving
the gear teeth together.
Problem, of course, is that the ORC would have to face
the other way. I haven't found anybody that sells a
left-handed ORC, although it seems to me there'd be a
market. I have a spare, and am considering taking one
apart to see if I could reverse the mechanism.
Has anybody had one of these apart? Does this sound
do-able?
Thanks, Wm

 

[Soundguy]

I think you are fighting a non issue.

if you have a trans driven pto.. when you come to a stop, the pto shaft will also be stopped.. and the mower will be freewheeling.. IE.. the diffy and pto are locked thru the trans. hit cluch, hit brakes.. when tractor stops.. pto stub will be stopped.. make sure you actually stop BEFORE shifting the trans to neutral.. that way the pto will be stopped.

soundguy

 

[jinman]

William, it seems to me that you are saying the rachet of your ORC has enough friction that it is turning the PTO shaft and transmission in neutral or when you want to change gears so that when you go to shift the transmission, it grinds. This is worse when the oil gets hot and the geartrain has even less friction. If that's the case, I think you are going to just have to wait for the mower to quit rotating so you can put your tractor into gear. I think with time, your ORC will loosen up and not have enough friction to cause this. It's probably just because it's new and hasn't been broken in yet.

 

[willfick]

Thanks, guys.
Soundguy, you're right, but my problem is that I'd like to get the mower spinning in neutral and then put the tractor in gear so the blades'll be up to speed when they first hit the grass. Or when I'm shifting from R to 3 and am not quick enough the countershaft can start turning again soon as I pull it out of gear.
Jim, I'm gonna hope you've hit it. I'll even hook it up a few times over the winter and put a little wear on it. Another reason to go down to the shed and do some 'maintaining'.

 

[Soundguy]

have ya greased the orc.. they do require it... and it should help.

if there is that much friction in your orc thsat it allows the mower to start yer tractor pto spinning after it was stopped.. then.. yeah.. that's quite a bit.. I think I might take that one back.. or if it's too late for that.. grease it and hope it wears in soon.. and untill then.. let the mower sppin down a bit before finding and grinding.

soundguy

 

[willfick]

Yessir. I've been inside that tranny and there's enough wear already.
Wm

 

[ol'George]

If you are putting chassis grease in the overrunning clutch I'm thinking it would drag more than if you used say light oil in it, allowing it to over run easier/freer,-- less drag.

 

[beenthere]

Thanks, guys.
Soundguy, you're right, but my problem is that I'd like to get the mower spinning in neutral and then put the tractor in gear so the blades'll be up to speed when they first hit the grass. ..........

Don't see a good reason for wanting to get the blades up to speed, before mowing.
The other shifting thing is not an issue if fast enough to get 'er done before the tight coupler gets a chance to start things moving. Might be a bit of a click, but shouldn't cause any major grinding or problem.

If caught needing to stop the blades from spinning, back (or drive) the cutter into something that needs cutting.

The advantages of the ORC far outweigh the nuisance of the tranny running (IMO).

Being pushed around by a direct drive rotary cutter was not fun, nor very safe. Really enjoyed getting the ORC for the old Deere 420.

 

[Soundguy]

If you are putting chassis grease in the overrunning clutch I'm thinking it would drag more than if you used say light oil in it, allowing it to over run easier/freer,-- less drag.

THEY COME WITH GREASE FITTINGS!!! Every one I've seen reccomends greasing periodically.

soundguy

 

[RickB]

ORC's built by Hub City can be disassembled. The sprag dogs can be inverted and the unit can be reassembled to lock up in the opposite rotation.
Not sure about the other brands of ORC's.
Grease is appropriate for any ORC that comes with a zerk. That should be obvious.