60 PTO Clutch

Been quite a few years since I was on here, but life got in the way.

I've got a 60, sn6039096. Have used the PTO once since I bought it back in about '02, and had to almost break the lever to get it engaged. Decided to work it over now.

First of all, previous owner put 80/90 in the PTO instead of hy-gard. I know it's not leaking from the transmission/rear end. I changed that when I got it, and level hasn't changed.

I bought the service manual for it back in '07. Got that out to start this, and find out that it's for the earlier models that use the locking tab for the clutch adjustment, and this one has the set screw.

When I look in the fill hole, the set screw isn't in one of the slots. It's been adjusted enough that there is 1 thread showing between the set screw and the adjusting collar.

The space where you check it is close to .135 with the clutch engaged, and it's supposed to be .060" according to the service manual, and the operator's manual says .090". I'm assuming the .090 is the right one.

I can see that the adjusting collar is screwed back far enough that it's almost half off the threads. That, along with the spacing from the set screw, I'm guessing that the clutch discs are shot, and need to be replaced.

Help me out here, please. I should be able to drop the outer housing off and replace these, without dropping the whole power-trol, rockshaft, seat assembly off, right? Or do I have to tear it all down and pull the pump and shafts even though it's not leaking from the tranny?

Gonna have to check around for pricing after looking at the clutch pack from Deere. Ouch, they're proud of that.
Is Steiner's a good option?

Thanks.

The rear housing will get the pto clutch out. Have to remove the pin in the linkage so the fork can turn out of the collar when you remove it. As to the 90 w oil, clean the housing and let it sit for a few days or a week with the clutch removed and see if any oil leaks into the housing from the trans. PTO oil capacity is only a few quarts (not sure without looking) and a couple more quarts to fill the housing would not be noticeable leaking from the trans. There are cheaper places than Deere for the parts. I have gotten them from Walt's tractor parts and no problems with them.

Cliff-
When I bought the tractor I checked the oil level in the PTO housing and it was up to the bottom of the fill hole, but I didn't check the viscosity to see what it was. That was 15 years ago. Neither level changed in that time, so I'm assuming that the seal is not leaking. When I bought it, I did change out the tranny fluid.

I have not used the 60 much in that time, but after using the PTO for the first time last year, decided to get it right, so when I hang a mower on it this year, it's good to go.

Thanks.

I agree with Cliff. Just the rear cover is all that needs to come off. That will bring the entire clutch pack assembly with it.

I wonder..... Since your adjusting cam is way out of place,(beyond the set screw & slots) I agree, your pack is likely shot UNLESS... someone put it together with the wrong number of plates in it!

What you describe sounds like the adjusting cam is over 3/8's of an inch out of place. If all the facing material was gone from every driven disk I doubt it would add up to THAT much distance! Those facings are not very thick! Missing disks however would let your adjusting cam be way out of place as you describe. You MAY be looking at a serial number mix-up issue here! Number breaks were 6031044 and below used 6 drive & and 5 double faced driven disks while 6031045 and up used 7 drive and 6 double faced driven disks and the part numbers were all alike. Add to that the double faced driven disks were at least at one time (may still be) available in packages of 5 and maybe you have a late 60 with only enough disks in it for an early 60? Maybe they took up the difference with the adjusting cam and it has since walked another .045" beyond what it should be and your clutch is not only improperly assembled but it is now too tight & hard to work?

Let us know what you find!

Just replaced the pto clutch in my 720. It's identical to yours, just has more discs. I drained the oil, unhooked the linkage, and unbolted the pto housing and with a little prying it pulled right off. There's a nice video on YouTube from Steiner tractor that describes the entire rebuild process. I thought it was helpful. I only replaced the clutch pack and brake. You might want to watch ebay or call a boneyard. It was going to be around $400 for new aftermarket parts for mine. But I lucked out and found on ebay all the guts from the pto of a parted out 730 for $120. They must have been replaced shortly before it was sold for parts, because they were like new.

Drained the old oil, filled with diesel fuel, ran it for 10 minutes, drained and pulled the clutch housing today, and made my list.
Both clutch plates, all 13 clutch discs, and the gasket to put it back on. There was no facing at all left on any of the discs. Metal on metal. Everything else looked good.
Yup, I saw the videos from Steiner's.
Parts from dealer priced at $697, ordering from Steiner for $241, including a new clutch pulley brake pad..
Thanks.

Wow on the Deere price!

I pulled the clutch pak apart, and it has 7 plain discs, 6 discs "with" facings both sides, and the 2 thicker end plates "with" facings on one side. This is correct for the serial number.
The only facings left are on the clutch brake. The rest of the facings were gone, and some of the discs were distorted from heat, as well as slightly galled from metal on metal contact. Should have been replaced long before now, but..........
New discs ordered, so will report back when I get it back together.
Thanks.

Guy I used to work with wouldda said "looks like we got all of that one", meaning it was all used up right down the the very end!

Several portraits of Mr. Franklin will fix it right up! Been there & done that on my 70 which has even more plates than the 60!

Sounds like yer on the right track.

Service manual says #10 oil in the live PTO clutch. I don't know how that compares to Hy-Gard

HyGard is Deere's hydraulic/powershift transmission oil, spec'd for wet clutch and wet brake applications, so should be better than 10w engine oil for the PTO clutch.
Been using HyGard in the PowrTrol hydraulics for 30 years.