Should my PTO do this?

slofr8 · Jul 2, 2007

Hi all,
I've been using my new (to me) L305DT and it seems to be just what I needed. I decided to spoil myself and ordered a new rotery cutter, and box scraper. They should be here in a week or so. I had not tried the PTO other then to make sure it turned when I bought it. It has a 2 speed PTO. Well tonight I noticed that it didn't stop turning when I pushed the clutch all the way. It would even speed up when I raced the engine with the clutch disengaged. I only hope that it doesn't need a new clutch, but what else could it be? Can I mow with it this way? I adjusted the clutch as per the manual and it works well for shifting but this has me worried.
Thanks for any insight. Dan.

DUMBDOG · Jul 3, 2007

That is the way the PTO on my L4630GSTC operates also. You engage the PTO and it is on. My New Holland stops when the clutch is disengages. Different type of PTO.

Marcussen · Jul 3, 2007

If the PTO does not stop turning when you push the clutch, the rotary mower will push the tractor forward whenever you engage the clutch. My 1948 Ford 8N was like that. I thought all modern tractors had been improved since then. You need to mount an external over riding clutch to the PTO shaft it will cost about $60 at any decent tractor supply.

art · Jul 3, 2007

Does the 305 have a two stage clutch? We don't have any of them around here that I've driven to know but often when working with older tractors they don't have enough resistance to stop the shaft as they were not equipped with a brake on the pto like they are today.

bama85 · Jul 3, 2007

I would call the dealer and see what they recommend. Sounds like your clutch needs an adjustment. I know on my L2800 with a manual tranny, When I depress the clutch all the way, within a few seconds, my finish mower blades stop turning. I am then able to shift into reverse and back mow in tight spaces and the blades will start turning again when I let off the clutch slighlty. Sorry that I'm not much help but I would call the dealer.

bama85 · Jul 3, 2007

Sorry to reply again, but I just thought of something. If you are turning your PTO on without an implement attatched to it, then yes it will continue to free spin for a while. When you hook up your rotary cutter, the slight resistance from the implement will cause the PTO to stop spinning when you depress the clutch.

Soundguy · Jul 3, 2007

Marc... ya might need to do a little more research...... My ford 5000 and NH 7610s pto keep sturing when i push in my clutch.. WHY? Because they have an independent pto.

A ford 8n has a single stage clutch and non live pto.

Independent pto is defacto live.. even if it is a pingion hand clutch style.

The other way to get a live pto is with a 2 stage clutch.

If this kubota has an independent PTO. the main clutch may not effect it.

Independent pto and a 2 stage clutch pto don't have the drivetrain backfeeding problems that the single stage clutches do.

Last option is possibly that he is getting fluid coupling on the pto when it is disengaged.. and the pto break is inoperative.. or it doesn't have one.

Soundguy

Marcussen said:
If the PTO does not stop turning when you push the clutch, the rotary mower will push the tractor forward whenever you engage the clutch. My 1948 Ford 8N was like that. I thought all modern tractors had been improved since then. You need to mount an external over riding clutch to the PTO shaft it will cost about $60 at any decent tractor supply.

slofr8 · Jul 3, 2007

Thanks for the replies.
It doesn't spin unless it's engaged but wont stop with the clutch pressed. The manual states..."both transmition and PTO clutch are disengaged when the pedal is fully pressed down." I'm hoping it's what Bama85 said,
"If you are turning your PTO on without an implement atatched to it, then yes it will continue to free spin for a while.", however, I can hold the clutch in for ever and it never seems to stop on its own. I'll know more once I get the mower but I was just wondering if this was something common or if it was easy to troubleshoot.
Thanks again. Dan.

rbargeron · Jul 3, 2007

Tractor Data lists the L305 as having a live pto - so I think it has the same style 2-plate, 2-stage clutch as the L345 (which I had). Is there a hinged swing stop for the clutch pedal? If so, its purpose is to stop the pedal for 1st clutch disengagement, and swing up to allow full pedal motion to disengage the second (pto) clutch.

There is a possibility the pto clutch is just stuck from lack of use - so you should test it with the rotary mower to be sure. But with a 2-stage clutch the 1st clutch gets worn over the years and the linkage has to be adjusted to compensate. Unfortunately if adjusted too far, the linkage stops releasing the pto clutch. The adjustment can be balanced so both work for a while. Some tractors have separate adjustments but these don't. The real answer for my tractor was a new travel clutch.

I ran my L345 like that (pto clutch engaged) for a couple seasons - after initial warmup I'd shut off and restart the tractor with the pto lever in gear. I'd slip into neutral so spinning implements could coast down. I finally just split the tractor and put in a clutch - not that big a deal.

slofr8 · Jul 4, 2007

Rbargeron,
Yes, it should have the hinged stop plate to limit the clutch travel when the PTO isn't in use but it's missing. Also, when I adjusted the clutch I noticed that part of it had broken at some point and the rod was welded to the shaft leaving the trany. This means that the clutch has only one point at which it can be adjusted rather than two. I was able to get it adjusted to where it shifts good and pedal travel is to spec but this may also be a contributing factor.
Hopefully it clears itself up when I start using it, but I'm not holding my breath. Worst case I'll split the tractor after I get my "must do" list done.
Thanks and Happy 4th. Dan.