What Are The Symptoms of bad PTO Clutch?

PTO clutches are generally used with outdoor power equipment that used for start the rotation of and implement a cutting blade. Also, It helps to slow down the implementation when the clutch is turned off.

You’re here because you wanted to know what are the symptoms of bad PTO clutch. Don’t worry, the dedicated article is on this topic. You will learn some common signs of bad PTO clutch in the following post. Plus, The solution to those problems.

What Are The symptoms of bad PTO clutch?

1. Hard To Start

Usually, the common symptom of a bad PTO clutch is taking time to engage. In the beginning stage, It takes several seconds for the blades to engage. It will be getting hot after running for a while.

2. Noise:

The PTO clutch will make some awkward noise when engaging or disengaging. If you hear such type of noise when your release or depress the PTO clutch, or both at the same time when the engine is off, It’s probably a problem with the PTO clutch and Its release mechanism.

Also, When the transmission is neutral, the car makes a chirping, whirring, or grinding sound, but the sounds go away by depressing the clutch pedal that indicates the PTO clutch problem. The possible reason behind it is the noise is coming from a worn-out input shaft bearing.

You can use noise to understand that is the clutch has any defect or not. For this, first, disengage it and turn it on and off few times. If you notice that the power takes off slowing down or stopping and won’t make a disengagement noise, It indicates the PTO clutch galled together fo heat or slip ring has jammed.

3. Engine won’t turn over

The blades will not engage if the PTO clutch solenoid is defective for this clutch won’t get any power. Also, The engine won’t get any power if the switch has any defect.

How to solve bad PTO clutch symptoms?

There aren’t a single solution to solve the PTO clutch problems. For example, If your PTO clutch solenoid is defective, then you need to replace the clutch. But, If the problem occurs on a switch, the problem will solve by replacing the switch.

Also, Adjusting the PTO clutch, especially electric clutches, are mandatory for getting the highest performance. Otherwise,You will notice the gap between contact plates that reduces magnet power and complexity to hold them together. For this, with a heavy load, the contact plates may slip, which will cause heat from the friction of lowering.

Sometimes, Adjusting the PTO clutch from time to time can solve some common issues and provide optimal performance.

Here are some common issues and solutions you may apply to solve the PTO clutch problem:

How do I Test A PTO clutch?

Follow this quick guide to test a PTO clutch:

• First, Use a floor jack to lift the vehicle up and use two jack stands under the rear frame and two in the front frame to provide clearance to look at clutch drive assembly. 
• Read the volts using a good engine source. If you find output below 12.4 volts or equal, then charge the battery because it won’t engage without enough voltage.
• Then, Check the in-line fuse. If it turns black or blown, replace it with the same amper fuse rating as the original.
• Active the engine and carefully check the blade operation. If it makes noises, first replace the ignition key and unplug the battery cable.
• Remove any type of broken branches that jammed into the drive belt and the pulley. 
• Again plug in the ignition key and negative cable with a socket. Turn on the clutch engagement lever and disengage it after starting the engine. Then, turn it on and off several times. If the pulley is slowing down and stopping frequently, It’s the sign that plates and clutch have galled together. For this, you need to remove the clutch and inspect the internal issue.

How Do You Remove A PTO clutch?

Fortunately, We don’t need any type of special tools and equipment to remove a PTO clutch. Just a screwdriver, a socket wrench set, and a pair of good-quality gloves are enough. After you collect those tools, let’s jump into the removing part:

1. To reduce the risk, first, disconnect the spark plugs.
2. Then, You will have to take off the plastic covering from the pulley, which protects the belt from any sort of damage.
3. Then loosen the blade belt to access the clutch.
4. After removing the belt, you’ll find two sets of wires which directly connect with the PTO clutch. Disconnect those wires before releasing the clutch.
5. In this step, A assistant must be needed. There is a bolt connected with the top of the mower or vehicles. At the same time, unscrew the bolt, the assistant help you to keep the nut in place, and he used a screwdriver to take off the flywheel cover.
6. Finally, You can remove the PTO clutch after the bolt is out.

Final Words

The power takeoff clutch is a piece of important equipment used on small tractors that activate mower tillers or blades. It’s used electricity to produce a magnetic armature to rotate the blade. But, to get the optimum performance, you need to keep it in regular maintenance.

So, Knowing some common Syndrom of bad PTO clutch helps you do the maintenance process easily and find out any problem quickly. In the above guide, You find some common syndrome and how to solve those, which might help you identify the problem and solve it.

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