TC55DA PTO lever seized up.

[ptsg]

I understand what you are saying and I appreciate your suggestions. I’m not familiar with a pto clutch system even though I have a manual. I’m can use a manual to remove but I have to have it in my hands to figure it out. I’ve worked on truck and bulldozer clutches but not PTO. I was wondering if something besides the disc in the clutch system could seize like a bearing or pressure plate, etc. it’s been a long time since I’ve been on a forum so I’m just not as clear as I use to be. I tend to let my thoughts leap frog over my typing. You are correct I can probably test its pressure but that’s a real pain to get to so I’ll wait. I kinda was hoping that someone like dieselscout would say “yeah I had same issue this is what it probably is”… haha…not this time.

The PTO lever moves a spool on the PTO valve. This spool, then redirects the oil either to lube the wet PTO clutch pack (PTO Off), or sends oil to the piston in the clutch pack to engage the PTO (PTO On).

Wet clutches are very very durable as those run under oil plus have multiples discs. I don't think you have any damage on the clutch at all, specially with only 900 hours on the tractor. The hardest time of a clutch is engaging, specially if done under load. After it's engaged, you can load it all you want, it has to hold until the tractor bogs down and shuts off, of course, as long as the clamping pressures are within spec.

Even if the clutch was worn out and slipping a lot, it won't really throw a smell like a conventional dry clutch, since it's pretty much under a bath of oil, hence the name wet clutch, plus you would notice the mower just slowing down while the engine RPM didn't change.

Back to the PTO valve, the spool rotates one way or the other as you move the lever. I'm kinda struggling to think how it could possibly seize inside the actual valve, since it always has oil going through it. Have you physically actuated the lever by hand right at the valve?

 

[dieselscout80]

You were clear. I wasn’t.
I did find it was not the entire linkage. But the lever on the control valve. It’s clean and not corroded but I still have soaker on it (2 days) in case it’s not internal.

That’s interesting about cab mounts. I’ll check that out (I know for sure nothing is binding the CV) in case it’s about to real havoc elsewhere.

The cab mount point was just an example of something outside of the PTO system and linkage that might cause the issue.

Most newer Farming sized tractors use electric over hydraulic systems. They decrease cab penetrations, helps HVAC l, thus make it quieter and as less ways for dust to enter.

 

[ruffdog]

You were clear. I wasn’t.
I did find it was not the entire linkage. But the lever on the control valve. It’s clean and not corroded but I still have soaker on it (2 days) in case it’s not internal.

I would first suspect the linkage shaft that goes into the valve may have rusted. All it takes is a bit of moisture and not being used for a while. Keep spraying it and lightly tapping it with a hammer may help the lube to work in there. Good luck.

 

[MBeam]

The PTO lever moves a spool on the PTO valve. This spool, then redirects the oil either to lube the wet PTO clutch pack (PTO Off), or sends oil to the piston in the clutch pack to engage the PTO (PTO On).

Wet clutches are very very durable as those run under oil plus have multiples discs. I don't think you have any damage on the clutch at all, specially with only 900 hours on the tractor. The hardest time of a clutch is engaging, specially if done under load. After it's engaged, you can load it all you want, it has to hold until the tractor bogs down and shuts off, of course, as long as the clamping pressures are within spec.

Even if the clutch was worn out and slipping a lot, it won't really throw a smell like a conventional dry clutch, since it's pretty much under a bath of oil, hence the name wet clutch, plus you would notice the mower just slowing down while the engine RPM didn't change.

Back to the PTO valve, the spool rotates one way or the other as you move the lever. I'm kinda struggling to think how it could possibly seize inside the actual valve, since it always has oil going through it. Have you physically actuated the lever by hand right at the valve?

Well this is encouraging thanks. The clutch smell must have been from the mower itself. It has several drivelines and three clutch packs.

 

[MBeam]

I would first suspect the linkage shaft that goes into the valve may have rusted. All it takes is a bit of moisture and not being used for a while. Keep spraying it and lightly tapping it with a hammer may help the lube to work in there. Good luck.

Yeah. I just got back from a little more spray and a few more taps. Hopefully it will be the issue and will break loose.