PTO Sticks?

LarryBud

Member
Still searching for my tractor . Considering a 1975 Ford 4000. Have not seen the tractor yet.

The seller tells me the PTO drive continues to slowly rotate when disengaged. It will stop with a heavy load. Is this a clutch replacement? If so, estimated cost?

Other thoughts?
 
It is an independent PTO with a hydraulic clutch pack that runs in oil. Even new they will turn due to oil drag. One of the best tractors Ford built and are bullet proof. Good brakes, good hydraulics, good gearbox and excellent diesel engine.
 
Majorman don't they have a pto brake? My 1974 5000 does. It doesn't keep spinning after I shut off the pto. Mine has an adjustable brake band. As long as that's bands not totally wore out you can adjust them to stop the PTO.
 
Yes, they have a brake. Not uncommon for it to be worn and allow the PTO to turn when the oil is cold.
On a '70 model, that may still be the pawl type brake. Not a strong a brake as the band type.
 
Thanks for the feedback.

Think its a deal breaker or does it diminish the value? I can keep looking as I have some time.
 
If it has the S-O-S transmission, then there is no PTO brake, and the PTO continuing to spin slowly when the PTO handle is disengaged is pretty much normal.
 

It s not a deal breaker
The 4 cylinder tractors switched from a pawl brake to a bank brake around 72 or 73
The 3 cylinder 4000 size used a pawl brake till the end on the 4630 production
I replaced the brake pawl in my 69 4000 back in 2000 and it still stops the pto today
The pto on my 72 4000SU will roll at first start on cool days but works ok after the oil warms up
That brake is original but I plan to install a new brake pawl when we pull the lift top for a refresh

Brush hog are hardest on the brake pawls especially if the pto is shut off with the engine at speed
I ve seen a number of times were the operator picks the mower up and flips the pto lever off but never lets off of the throttle as they are leaving the field
That little brake pawl is trying to stop the momentum of the mower as it winds down causing accelerated wear

If everything else on the tractor is good and the price is right jump on it
 
As said they do have a PTO brake but, unlike the 5000 the PTO clutch on a 4000 is in the rear axle oil at the bottom so it is always immersed in oil and when the oil is cold, oil drag can overcome the brake and cause the shaft to turn. It was never a problem as long as the PTO stopped when a load was applied.
 
On an all purpose 4000 3 cyl with ind pto, its very normal for the pto to freewheel when in the off mode. As others have said, when the oil is colder, it freewheels more, when it warms up and the oil thins, it free wheels less. THIS can be stopped by replacing or adjusting the little brake, that is designed to stop the free wheeling, but no one bothers to go after it as its harmless if your careful. As the positive and negative clutch plates are very very very close together, but not touching, the thick oil couples between the tiny space and allows the pto to spin if the pto brake is not applied correctly.

BUT.. the pto must engage solid and not slip while in the run or ON position. So as most ALL of these will turn a bit in the off position, that alone means absolutely nothing good or nothing bad,, it just normal on this model.

SO.. now what about the rest of the tractor, the important stuff?
 
Not a big deal on a 3 cyl 4000 w/crashbox/ipto to have the pto spin.
If you want to test it bring an 6' 2x4 and use it as a lever against the spinning shaft to stop it. It should stop easily. If it doesn't it may be the hydraulic clutch but those are pretty reliable and the weak link is that cheesy little brake pad.
When I sold the first 4000 I owned the buyer was skittish about that spinning pto.
So with a 2x4 lever I showed him how the pto would eat up the 2x4 if it was in gear.
Then I shut it off and stopped the pto with my bare hand ... I had practiced this and knew I could.
He about had a heartastoke.
But it convinced him and he bought it :)
Those are great tractors.
 

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