XR4140 making unsettling PTO noise

strantor · Oct 25, 2018

Hello,
My I have owned my brand new XR4140 just a couple of months, and I have never used the PTO. I got curious about PTO RPM for a PTO generator so I turned on the PTO for the first time, just to take some RPM measurements with a handheld tachometer. The PTO is making some unnatural noises which has me concerned. I struggle to describe the noise but it's like a random sound that occurs anywhere from every 1 second to 30 seconds and sounds like something in the realm of a tap, a bang, or crunch. I don't know what's inside there so I couldn't accurately guess, but sounds like maybe a loose bit of something is floating around in there and occasionally getting tossed around by the spinning clutch? I've heard hydraulic systems make similar sounds when there is air in the pump or other other components, however it's my understanding that the hydraulics in this case only engage/disengage the clutch, and from there it's mechanical power transfer, so I don't see why there would be flowing fluid making this noise.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this with brand new LS tractors? Should I be worried, or is this just part of "breaking in" a new tractor?

George2615 · Oct 25, 2018

I would guess you have checked the hydraulic fluid levels and it is full and removed the plastic PTO shaft cover. Try raising and lowering your 3 pt several times to work out any air that may be in the system. If that doesn't solve the problem and it is only a couple months old and may be an inconvenience for you, take it back to your dealer. The PTO making noise is not normal on your new tractor.

GSVette · Oct 25, 2018

I have not heard any strange noises using the PTO on my XR4155 but it was powering my Ford 917 flail so I am not sure I could have heard it anyway

If I get a chance I’ll fire up the PTO without a load and see if it makes any odd sounds

Walter L · Oct 25, 2018

Take it back to the Dealer or at least talk to him now. It should not be making that noise my PTO dont and i have over 15 hrs on it now and my tractor is new also

Bluesteel · Oct 25, 2018

strantor said:
Hello,
My I have owned my brand new XR4140 just a couple of months, and I have never used the PTO. I got curious about PTO RPM for a PTO generator so I turned on the PTO for the first time, just to take some RPM measurements with a handheld tachometer. The PTO is making some unnatural noises which has me concerned. I struggle to describe the noise but it's like a random sound that occurs anywhere from every 1 second to 30 seconds and sounds like something in the realm of a tap, a bang, or crunch. I don't know what's inside there so I couldn't accurately guess, but sounds like maybe a loose bit of something is floating around in there and occasionally getting tossed around by the spinning clutch? I've heard hydraulic systems make similar sounds when there is air in the pump or other other components, however it's my understanding that the hydraulics in this case only engage/disengage the clutch, and from there it's mechanical power transfer, so I don't see why there would be flowing fluid making this noise.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this with brand new LS tractors? Should I be worried, or is this just part of "breaking in" a new tractor?

I was going to ask the same thing George asked in reference to the plastic PTO cover.

strantor · Oct 25, 2018

Sorry, I didn't realize I had replies to this post. Didn't show up for some reason. Yes, the plastic cover was removed. I was putting the tach up to the PTO shaft to measure RPM.

Avenger · Oct 29, 2018

Though no unsettling noise should be coming from your PTO, without hearing it, it would be hard to diagnose. Can you post a quick video of it? What did the tach say? If you grab the shaft, can you wiggle it up/down, left/right, in/out?

strantor · Oct 30, 2018

Avenger said:
Though no unsettling noise should be coming from your PTO, without hearing it, it would be hard to diagnose. Can you post a quick video of it? What did the tach say? If you grab the shaft, can you wiggle it up/down, left/right, in/out?

I did try to make a video but my phone would not pick up the sound like the ear does. The shaft was firm when I grabbed it , no wiggled. The RPM was right on 540 when I had engine RPM at the green line.

I dropped it off at the dealership today and will see what they say.

strantor · Oct 31, 2018

Yesterday when I dropped it off, before I left I turned on the PTO and it wasn't making any noises. This morning I get call saying they could find anything wrong with it. Figures.