I think it will work

Mike(NEOhio) · Mar 11, 2015

Pto clutch on my 1550 was pretty well chewed up. Tightwad that I am I try to fix things before I replace them. Third picture is after some TIG welding on the splines. Last two are after four hours with my files and fitted to new discs. Should work, I'll keep an eye on it and if it looks like it's going bad I'll replace the shaft.

BANDITFARMER · Mar 11, 2015

I have the same problem with my 1550 utility. The fall I got it I used it to run the auger to load beans out. I knew something wasn't right so I tore into it, And like you when it came apart it looked as bad as yours. I have a new shaft waiting to be put in and a hydrolic pump to get. This one was used to run a baler and a lot of pto use in its life. Bandit

Mike(NEOhio) · Mar 12, 2015

I guess I'm not alone. I sent the first pic to JWS and he said he never saw one that bad. Now he's seen two. My springs were missing, too, and middle plate was warped and blued. But it actually seemed to work OK when I bought it.

BANDITFARMER · Mar 12, 2015

I know what you mean. Mine worked when I bought it it just vibrated a lot when we loaded beans out and I knew it wasn't right and when I tore it apart and you see what I found. I bought a used clutch pack (witch was a waste of time) that I will use for parts and have a new shaft to fix it with. For me the cost of welding the shaft up and having it turned and the splines re-cut would have been more than buying the new shaft. The farm that this tractor came off of it was his main tractor and baling tractor for a small dairy farm and it baled a lot of hay from 1971 till 2013. 42 years of baling took its toll and I guess aint bad for the abuse it took. Bandit

Mike(NEOhio) · Mar 13, 2015

I know a guy from work who's an expert TIG welder and I was a tool and die maker, No problem to file them in myself. I wish he'd put a little more weld on some of them. I hope you got new discs to go on that new shaft. Putting the old ones on is a sure way to wreck a good shaft.

rankrank1 · Mar 14, 2015

I like the repair, but I agree with you that there are some areas that still could use just a bit more metal.

Any reason your tig welder could not touch those areas up again? Course that would mean more fitment work from you a second time around.

As much work as you have put into this 1550; I sure hope both you and your wife get to actually use it to make hay this year. Once done though, I am confident you both are gonna love it.

And to think, I was real tempted to buy this 1550 myself when you backed out the first time around. Alternatively that 1555 that Bandit bought was also tempting to me (and was closer to where I lived too). Glad I did not buy either though as they are simply too big in physical size for my piddle patch acreage though. If only I ws a real farmer. I bet either would have re-stimulated my lifelong memories of running my alltime favorite tractor though: 1960 Oliver 1800A gasser.

gtractorfan · Mar 14, 2015

I think you could use an electric hand grinder with the wheel dressed to fit the grooves in the splines and get it pretty close and a lot easier.

Mike(NEOhio) · Mar 14, 2015

I may take it back for more. He lives nearby but has a house in Pa. and divides his time. All his welding equipment is there. He didn't want to leave me too much to file. The wife thinks I was crazy to buy it so she probably will refuse to drive it. She drives when we bale. I'm putting the engine from my E4 together for baling because the A's been making some funny growling for a while. I want to get at it before there is real trouble.

rankrank1 · Mar 14, 2015

I did not realize you previously baled with a JD A. If so your wife will like the new ride for sure.

I have a 1950 JD A myself (has the better single stick gated tranny. Have ran the 9' Hesston haybine and rake with my JD A but not the baler yet).

How do they do baling? I am used to the no live PTO as everything I have ever baled with is non live PTO so not worried about that part. My little Kubota L285, Farmall h, and Farmall M have all small square baled for me and they are all tranny driven PTO's).

PS: When I let my wife run the A she can not disengage the hand clutch. Have to back the clutch tension down for her. Fine for raking that way but would for sure slip under a heavier load. I will likely eventually sell my A for this reason. Hate to get rid of it though as it runs excellent, uses zero oil, and has new rubber all around. Power steering too.

Mike(NEOhio) · Mar 14, 2015

When FIL was alive he used one of the E3s on the 273. After he passed BIL and I liked the E4 better but I stopped using it because it had no oil pressure. The E3 was plum wore out and struggled on the hills so we used the A. It's a late model and runs strong, hardly knows the baler is there. We use 1st and sometimes 2nd, wife doesn't like to go too fast and I can't keep up anyway. I got the 1550 mainly for the haybine and snow blower but I'll try it on the baler. She might like it but won't admit it. "TOO BIG" she says.

I think it will work

Mike(NEOhio)

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