PTO handle engagement problem

[JohnnyJay]

Thanks for the help so far, but have another problem. When I try to engage the PTO the handle flops aroutdoor and won't stay engaged. Looked and found a long cotter pin on the handle and there is some kinda Levert hat when I hold the handle in the right place where the pin rides on the lever the PTO works. But won't stay engaged when let go. Any help and thanks ahead

[Eugene]

There is a spring attaching the PTO control rod to the arm, clutch control. Perhaps the spring is the only thing needed to repair the PTO.

The PTO clutch is a cam consisting of several parts. Lift up on the control lever and the cam locks, engaging the PTO.

If you don't have a parts manual for the tractor, get one. You will need it when working on the PTO.

[JohnnyJay]

Thanks will look into it. There was a C clamp at the clutches/gears when I got it.

[BigBill]

Mine wouldn't stay ingaged because the ball bearings in the engagement plates were worn out. She would either not engage or engage and kick out. Hamiltonbonscubs had the parts she's fixed. No biggie and not big bucks to fix too.

[JohnnyJay]

Tried it again after having to get a new radiator. Still does the same after adding a spring on the handle, that wasn't there before. Any body have any parts numbers for the PTO clutch rebuild? Thanks ahead, John

[staninlowerAL]

Tried it again after having to get a new radiator. Still does the same after adding a spring on the handle, that wasn't there before. Any body have any parts numbers for the PTO clutch rebuild? Thanks ahead, John

If you don't have a parts manual for the tractor, get one. You will need it when working on the PTO.

Check the QUICK LINKS at the upper left corner of this page.

[Eugene]

Any body have any parts numbers for the PTO clutch rebuild?

There are 40 or more parts involved in the PTO clutch system. You need to obtain the service and parts manual.

Then disassemble the PTO mechanism to find out which parts you need.

HamiltonBobs site, bottom of this page, may have complete PTO units for sale, and sells individual parts.

[SONNY]

I re-built a couple of them dudes!!! LOL!!!!---- FIRST problem,----SPENDY!!!! repair parts kit from IH,---$260.-- AND that don't include the drum,--- That's another $400. if you need that part!---Complete NEW clutch is only $1,600. and some change!---used ( if you can find a good one is from $400. to $650.)----This was 6 years ago!
The unit is very hard to get back together----need 7 hands and a bunch of big clamps,-- but can be done in time,--(no quick fix), You must get the washers (wavy kind) facing the right direction and the right number of them put in.---I ended up taking the first one apart 2 more times to see why it wouldn't work,--and found that I needed to put in 2 "extra" wavy's in to get more tension on the thing.--snaped over center a bit hard for a while but finally seated in and it still works today, (I mow a lot with it,--mostly head high weeds and other bush hog work and clutch don't slip)----Run in L-1 and let it eat!

If you get the IH kit , it should come with a view of assembly directions! ( mine did) ---You might only need about 8 wavy washers to fix yours, ( they get weak if they been hot one time)---also the pressure plate will fit either way but only works right if faced the right direction.
Check your plates, --see if the fiber ones are thick or not , then check the steels, (drive plates), to see if they are blued from slipping or just rusty/dirty/etc. and clean them. DO NOT USE OIL BASE CLEANER anywhere around or in the clutch itself.
Get a good look at the ball slots for wear.--rubber band should be covering the space between the two halves to keep dirt/water/etc. out. thanks; sonny

[seahaul]

The clutch discs do wear over time so that the required amount of pressure is not obtained when engaged. It is very important that the "thickness" of the clutch pack is 0.050" smaller when engaged than when disengaged. This applies the right amount of pressure on the discs to prevent them from slipping. The rebuild procedure is covered in the manual.
Inspect the 4 discs. If they are worn smooth they must be replaced. If they still have grooves on them like a new one, the clutch may just need adjusting. On some clutches this is done by adding shims (NOT wavy washers). On other clutches, the outside pressure plate can be screwed down to adjust tension.
Once the proper adjustment is made, the handle will stay up because the 3 balls in the cam are held in place by pressure.
It's not an especially hard thing to rebuild once you understand how it functions. A caliper to measure for the 0.050" distance is necessary.
Charlie

[Eugene]

Inspect the 4 discs.

Upon disassembly of my 154's PTO, the cup and clutch friction discs were beaten to heck, with burrs hammered on the meeting edges of both.

HamilitonBobs prices are lower than your IH dealership and their service is great.

If my uncle, an engineer at IH Louisville plant, were still alive, I would ask him why IH made this form of PTO clutch. Appears to me that the clutch could have been made a lot less complex and less expensive.

[SONNY]

It is not an IH clutch.---it's some morph company that made them, and IH thought buying was cheeeeeper than making their own design. thanks; sonny

[BigBill]

There cake to work on, I built big machines that use a similar setup. My PTO wouldn't stay engaged. She would kick out. Finally she pulled the knob down. It was time to fix it. I found the two ball bearings in the two round plates with the balls was worn out. Hamiltonbobscubs had the two bearings I needed. Everything else was ok. Now for the cost of two bearings she's fixed. No biggie.

[Indyfarmboy]

Just finished mowing with mine tonight. Pushed the lever down to disengage and the blades stayed engaged. The pto lever actuated like normal. It's almost as if the clutches are welded together. Any thoughts on what might have happened?

[Eugene]

Any thoughts on what might have happened?

No idea on what happened. My guess is that the PTO's clutch, a cam mechanism with 3 ball bearings, froze up.

[SONNY]

Sounds like the clutch disks may be stuck together.---Take the unit apart and carefully check each part for wear.---you may just have to clean everything up and if parts look good , then put it back together and try it. thanks; sonny