Bret4207

Well-known Member
Went out to start baling (finally) yesterday only to find that the PTO isn't disengaging on my DB990. Seems like it started doing this last year and I adjusted something. Op manual is of no help, talks about replacing clutch! Time to dig into the "big book". Had to start the tractor with the PTO in gear, what a pain and not so safe either. No way I'm going to be able to round bale like this.
 
Either the clutch is out of adjustment, or the PTO clutch facing is stuck to the flywheel.


Pull off the small access cover on the clutch and see how much space is under the adjusting screws, should be about .070".(plus or minus .010") If that is good, then the facing is stuck.

Best way I have found to free them was to put on a brush hog, start it in gear, drive it into a patch of real heavy stuff kinda quickly and push the clutch all the way in... The idea is to put a real heavy load on the clutch with the spring pressure removed. The shock load of hitting stuff(rocks/trees/ dirt clods) helps. Might take a few tries. Be sure to use it in an application where you slip the clutch some, or it will likely stick again.
 
Rich, pulled about 3 lbs of rats nests out of the bottom. Everything looks okay, but the shaft and associated hardware had a bit of surface rust. The pedal had been real hard to push down. Greased the shaft, set the pedal free play back to specs and still it wouldn't release. Shot about a tbs. of WD 40 at the shaft and sliding parts. Pedal got way easier and I could put PTO in gear right off. It didn't last though. It would work intermittently. I'm thinking the moving parts are binding and a better lube is in order.

I also found one beat up ball bearing lodged between 2 of the big round "ears" on the backside of the clutch cover. That can't be good, but where it came from I don't know. Throwout seem the only place looking at the parts diagram.
 
Aside from a lube issue... Could also be the pilot bearing that goes into the flywheel. If that was coming apart, the stray bits of bearing could be lodging between the flywheel and clutch plate and causing your lack of disengagement.
 
I have always left them clean and dry except for a tiny bit of red grease on the pivot points.

The sliding collar and throw out usually have lots of clearance, I don't know of any lube that would stay put.

The fact that it is coming and going makes me think there is a mechanical issue of some sort.
 
I think you're right. I laid some 30 wt in there and it didn't make a diff. I did 12-15 round bales yesterday and it would break loose. I think a split is going to be needed to replace some parts. Problem is it's my only tractor big enough to run the baler! The 811B might do it but the PTO is screwed up in that too. Wengers has an 811 PTO pack on the shelf for about $250 but I don't know if it's warranted to be in working condition. And then theres the fuel costs.

Sheesh! It never ends.
 
Oh dear! My hurt back finally got well enough for me to crawl under the 990. I reset the 3 set screws to proper clearance and went to adjust the free play and found I had none. Then I realized I hadn't really had any before either. But the clutch did allow the PTO do engage....until things started shooting out the inspection hole!!! Got back under there and found some springs on the ground. My helper, my 11yo son, noted smoke in one area. I foolishly stuck my hand in there and promptly got burnt. It appears the throwout bearing is shot, causing at least part of the problem. Gonna have to split her.

Went to get the 811b. Has a flat.......oh good. It's gonna be a fun summer.
 
A 990 is the easiest of any DB to split. If you have a concrete pad, and air tools handy you can start after breakfast and be done with time to spare before lunch.

That is all assuming you don't find other stuff to fix on your way in or out.
 
No pad. Gonna have to talk to a neighbor. It's that other busted stuff I'm going to find that has me worried.

I'm going to see if the 811 will handle the round baler with the goofed up PTO. Darn thing just won't over center. John Saeli has given me some good advice, but without knowing what a good clutch pack looks like it's hard to tell if mine is shot or if it's something else.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top