John Deere 717 rotary cutter

Ldwallace · May 31, 2022

I have a John Deere 717 rotary cutter that has been used very lightly the last five years. I plan to take it out for some heavy work shortly but I am worried about the slip clutch possibly being frozen. By heavy work I mean 2 inch saplings and thick brush vines up to about 5 feet high.

The owners manual says the clutch never needs adjustment but the 4 discs should be replaced when they are worn.

My question/plan: I plan to use the cutter in progressively tougher brush, avoiding stumps or similar objects that would stop the cutter. Do you think I could do anything that would damage the gear box or PTO before the cutter is worked enough so the slip clutch works as it should? The cutter has always been outside. Is it reasonable to think the slip clutch will work as it should as I move to heavier brush and possibly an occasional stump or other similar object?

I know some might recommend replacing the discs first but I dont want to do that if I dont have to.

The cutter has a walterscheid clutch.

wore out · May 31, 2022

Must not have liked the answers you got when you asked before?

https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t=1564739&highlight=

One thing... I believe in another thread you mentioned using a Deere 4010?

If so, the biggest risk of a problem with the tractor itself would be loose or poor quality bolts that hold the PTO "stub" to the internal PTO shaft IF it has the dual-range PTO.

I would change them out one at a time to Grade 8 bolts, 3/8" X 1-1/8" use Loctite and tighten securely.

in-too-deep · May 31, 2022

Count or measure the threads showing on the clutch bolts.
Loosen all of them.
Engage PTO to make the clutch slip a little. Just a second or 2.
Retighten all the clutch bolts to where they were.
Go mowing with confidence.

Ldwallace · May 31, 2022

I didnt feel like a got a definitive response. I think your comment on the bolts is something I definitely should investigate.

Ldwallace · May 31, 2022

ITD. I am not sure the bolts loosens the slip clutch. The manual doesnt mention that. But I know that is what is recommended for other cutters. So I will see if loosening the bolts causes the clutch to slip..

Tony in SD · May 31, 2022

I would make sure the slip clutch works as others have said and you should be good to go. Since I am not confident where others have suggested to use a Grade 8 bolt, it may or may not be a good
idea. However I will say that a Grade 8 bolt is not a good idea for a shear bolt.

wore out · May 31, 2022

(quoted from post at 13:25:13 05/31/22) I would make sure the slip clutch works as others have said and you should be good to go. Since I am not confident where others have suggested to use a Grade 8 bolt, it may or may not be a good
idea. However I will say that a Grade 8 bolt is not a good idea for a shear bolt.

Tony, 's okay, my suggestion to use Grade 8 bolts did NOT involve a ''shear bolt'' function.

in-too-deep · May 31, 2022

Just make sure all the springs have the same height when you're all done. I promise you won't screw it up. Even if the manual doesn't say. It's a lot easier to slip the
clutch on purpose now than replace wrecked u-joints and yokes PTO shafts later if the clutch doesn't slip when you get into the salad.

GordoSD · May 31, 2022

I would say let the clutch slip for 5-8 seconds/ you arent going to wear a lot off the discs in that short trial. allow for wear by tightening down to one more visible thread

super99 · May 31, 2022

Wore out was talking about the bolts that hold the PTO stub shaft on the tractor, not shear bolts on the PTO shaft. Not sure how that slip clutch is put together, small bolts on the outside or a large nut on the driveshaft. Whichever one, loosen whatever holds the clutch tight and engage the pto and let it slip just a bit and then tighten and your good to go.

Steve in IL · May 31, 2022

We have a JD 717. Run it with a JD 2240. Based on my recollection, the clutch is not adjustable. But your issue is really just wanting to know up front, if the clutch is frozen or not. Reading the Op
Man, you test this by doing the opposite of what you might think - 1. Remove driveline from gearcase and TIGHTEN nuts to remove pressure from clutch plates. 2. Re-attach driveline, start tractor, and engage
PTO at low RPM, slipping the clutch 2 or 3 times. 3. Remove driveline from gearcase and LOOSEN nuts to re-apply pressure on clutch plates.

Good luck.

Ldwallace · May 31, 2022

(quoted from post at 18:29:33 05/31/22) We have a JD 717. Run it with a JD 2240. Based on my recollection, the clutch is not adjustable. But your issue is really just wanting to know up front, if the clutch is frozen or not. Reading the Op
Man, you test this by doing the opposite of what you might think - 1. Remove driveline from gearcase and TIGHTEN nuts to remove pressure from clutch plates. 2. Re-attach driveline, start tractor, and engage
PTO at low RPM, slipping the clutch 2 or 3 times. 3. Remove driveline from gearcase and LOOSEN nuts to re-apply pressure on clutch plates.

Good luck.

Steve, that seems to be match what I think I read somewhere on my Internet searches.

Thanks to everyone for your help. I will probably be trying something soon. I will update here and let you guys know how it went. Hopefully I will not be reporting that I blew something up.

Ldwallace · Jun 3, 2022

Steve, just to let you know, and anyone interested, you are right.

The procedure was in the manual but I just didnt see it. Tighten the nuts to remove pressure from the clutch plates.

This weekend we will see how that works.

Thanks to all for your suggestions.

John Deere 717 rotary cutter

Ldwallace

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wore out

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in-too-deep

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Ldwallace

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Tony in SD

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wore out

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in-too-deep

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GordoSD

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super99

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