230 Clutch Adjustment

While my 230 is down to replace the water pump,fan & radiator I thought I'd split it again to look at the clutch adjustment. I put a new 2 stage clutch assembly in when I got the tractor. It came from a Massey dealer and they said it come already adjusted just slap it in. NOT! The pto will not engauge with the motor running. I adjusted the 3 bolts you can get to through the inspection plate but it still won't work. What should the measurements be set at for it to work correctly? Also I read somewhere the pto had three positions one forward neutral and one backwards. One for ground speed and one for engine speed is this true? Thanks.

What thickness was used to set the 3 PTO release bolt gap? This is how far main disc pressure plate will travel before PTO plate begins to release. I like .080 for most 2 stage clutch models, then make sure pedal free play is set correctly. If free play is excessive PTO will not release as pedal strikes the stop as linkage has still not traveled far enough. Most will release within 1 inch of stop when set correctly. If you do see pto stop, then start up again, pedal needs more free play, as travel is now too far and main release levers are contacting PTO plate, making it turn again. Not common, but have seen it happen.

I"d caution you to find out exactly about tht PTO. My 240 (might be the same, might not) has the rear lever position to engage the PTO for engine speed, the middle neutral, and the forward position geared tomatch the ground speed. HOWEVER there was something about never engaging the ground speed and then shifting gears, or shifting in reverse, or something. Anyway, I blocked off the ground-speed position so I dont[ destroy something.

Hi Danny,
Dieseltech has summed up most of the procedure, however no mention has been made of the removal of the three slave screws from the clutch cover. Have you removed these. It may sound like a dumb question but it has to be asked.

Assuming that you have removed the screws, what figure have you set the adjusters to? The target figure is 090" but 080" should be OK. It is more important to have them all the same.

Using a flashlight through the underside access hole have an assistant press the pedal while you watch the operation on each adjuster. When the screw heads strike the PTO pressure plate they should push it rearwards by approximately 1/16" or 1 1/2 to 2 mm. Ensure that you have approximately 3/8" clearance in the free travel at the point where the pedal contacts the footbar.

If your adjustments are correct the PTO should stop turning when the clutch pedal is approximately one inch from full travel downwards. This margin should always be present for safety. As Dieseltech has mentioned if the PTO starts again then the release levers will be in contact with the rivet heads on the PTO plate hub and must be readjusted. If this occors it can normally be heard.
DavidP, South Wales