International 300 Utility Gas

I have picked up my first tractor to help out with general property maintenance. International 300 Utility, Upon the first day of operation I immediately noticed the lever that controls the PTO is out of adjustment (assuming) this is a correct assumption.
[u:6b370d77ec][b:6b370d77ec]Part 1.[/b:6b370d77ec][/u:6b370d77ec]
The problem is that when starting tractor PTO kicks on even when lever has been pressed down in the off position. Even after pushing in clutch, depressing lever, and releasing clutch the PTO will self engage itself on its own when the tractor is moving.
Is this the correct assumption to be making that the PTO lever needs to be adjusted?

[u:6b370d77ec][b:6b370d77ec]Part 2[/b:6b370d77ec][/u:6b370d77ec]
Just recently after cutting about 5 acres of grass I stored the deck mower and tractor for 2 weeks (never correcting part 1's problem). Came back to cut some more grass. Still had the same issues with PTO wanting to self engage/ not stay off. If anything the problem was worse. On top of that now there was a loud whining and clunk noise. When mower was put under load "full width of deck taking grass" PTO would bog down to a crawl. After shutting down tractor i could hear what seemed to be a boiling sound coming from the housing around the PTO shaft, and the housing itself was extremely hot.

Tractor still starts and I can engage and disengage PTO with lever. Whines when PTO is engaged and also when it is disengaged. Extremely hot housing, and bogs down under load. I did not have these issues when operating deck 2 weeks ago.

Any ideas on what can do or has someone had a similar problem that can point me in a direction to start tackling this issue. I am new to operating this machine but have done work on many other pieces just not evolving PTO's.

Thank you for your time hope everyone has a great 4th of July
Semper Fi [/u]

I'll dive in here. Sounds like it is TA rebuild time. When you pull back the handle there are little rollers within a ramp setup. Also there is a second "clutch". Both sound shot. Sorry but... see what others say. The TA is worth fixing! When it is working it is a great gear speed step down tool.

Okay, I will take a few swings. I will assume for the time being that you have an independent PTO, and that you are talking about the PTO, not the Torque amplifier. It would really help if you could take a couple of pics so we know what we are aiming at.
Number 1)
Did you check the oil level in your PTO? The oil level is checked by taking out a square head pipe plug on the side of the PTO. I have run Hydraulic fluid, HYTRAN, ATF and 10w oil in mine. It really depends upon how fast it runs out and what I have laying around. If you have run it dry, you should probably fill it up, run it for a while, like maybe an hour or so of LIGHT mowing, drain the chunks and oil out, and fill it back up with fresh fluid.
Number 2) Have you followed the band adjustment procedure in the manual? It isn't hard, doesn't require special tools, and may be causing the slipping. You really don't want this part slipping, as it can generate a LOT of heat in a short time.

Both answers could apply to almost all of the symptoms you have. jt

The PTO lever and latching points on that tractor (and 350U) is a weak link in the operation. The lever is pivoted at the rear axle on a bracket. the lever is keyed to a shaft that goes through that bracket. The shaft key is not big enough and in time it wallows out creating a slippage of several degrees of motion. This must be fixed. Removing the shaft and having a actual keyway cut into it and the lever, larger than the original woodruff key is best. Tightening the nut that holds the lever on does nothing, over tightening it will strip it!!! the rod linking the lever to the PTO unit is bent in a open Z shape to transfer motion to the PTO unit. the pins and clevices on that rod are also prone to wear from never being lubed. these must be rebushed or reamed to a larger diameter to eliminate lost motion. Ours bent and had to be reinforced by paralleling a second rod (fabricating it) and welding it to the original. These linkage issues must be taken care of prior to adjustment!!
Adjustment:
There is a small oval cover on top of the PTO, it is screwed down to seal to the unit. Under this "cap" is the adjustment. (note! do not do this until the linkage is corrected!)
1} The lever is placed and roped bungied or held in the measured center of its travel.
2} The front band jamb nut is loosened and the screw through it is tightened tight with a regular large screw driver.
(if the screw goes into the nut so the threads dissapear, the band is so worn that adjustment will not be possible until the band is renewed)
3} Do the same for the other, rearward, band.
4} The PTO shaft is now locked and will not turn by hand.
5} Use a #2 phillips stuck through the hole in the shaft to try to turn it. It should not turn.
6) loosen the two screws equally 1/4 turn each at a time, until the PTO is free to turn. with very little drag.
7} Tighten the jamb nuts while holding the screws to lock them.
This should be correct and the lever should STOP the PTO when latched downward, and drive the PTO when latched upward.
In your case the fluid may have been ruined, so drain it (plug in the bottom) and refill it. with Hytran fluid. I forgot the amount because ours was changed by my brother 5 years ago. The manual will provide the amount. This process is not the same as the manual, but it is real, and has been used by others successfully. Jim

Thanks for the information guys, I will try some of these options out over the weekend.

Excellent write up, Jim.
I printed this for inclusion in my Binder binder. I will be checking my linkages this weekend, as I have adjusted both of my PTO's (300U gas and 350U lp) and always keep them well greased and oiled, but never checked that wear spot. jt

OHhhhhhh. NUTs. Would help if I read what is there. Yes the PTO has two bands in it and it works kinda like an automatic transmission. They are not too hard to get off and work on. Getting them adjusted is the trick.

Thank you for the information. I have used what was discussed in this thread and have managed to eliminate the activation of the PTO when not needed. Adjusting the bands has done some corrective action towards that. I am wondering now how freely should the PTO spin by hand when making this adjustment. Currently I am running a bar though the center on the PTO shaft and turning it by hand when the lever is pulled up all the way. It does not spin freely when lever is depressed.

I am asking this question because i am still having issues with my bush hog/ PTO bogging down when mowing in 1st gear at High idle. 5' wide deck with grass/ weeds 2'-3' high. If some one has any ideas or other adjustments that could be made that would be much appreciated. Thanks again