Deere 2010 gas - PTO won't engage/grinds.

OK, just picked up a 6-foot brush hog for my 1965 Deere 2010. This is my first and only PTO-driven implement, so the first time I've actually used the PTO in 5 years owning this tractor.

I hooked everything up and I believe the setup is correct.

When I push the PTO engagement lever forward, I get a gear grinding sound and I can't get it to fully engage. I tried adjusting the RPMs from idle and raising the RPMs slightly, but I can't get the PTO "in gear" so to speak.

Now if I shut off the tractor, engage PTO, and then start the tractor, the PTO spins up and everything runs fine. I can disengage the PTO lever fine, I just can't get it engaged. I started the tractor with the PTO engaged yesterday, spun up the brand new 6 foot mower, and mowed for 2 hours no problems. Everthing is free on the mower, mower has lube, etc, etc, so I don't think the issue is the mower.

I was pressing the clutch down when attempting to engage the PTO. Is that wrong? Is there some Deere-specific trick to this?

What am I doing wrong? Or is something broken or worn out on the ol girl?

Do I need to be in park or neutral or is there some specific RPM I have to be at to engage the PTO?

On other tractors, I've always just lowered the throttle to slightly above idle and engaged the PTO. Basically, just enough so the implement didn't kill the engine. Then throttle up, get in gear, and forward I would go.

Many thanks.

Grouse

Does yours have a large lever sticking up by the left fender ? That would be a live pto engage lever and it is never to be put in gear without engine running.These have a tiny roll pin that breaks if forced into position.Real pain to replce that roll pin. That may of been an option and it sounds like yours does not have a live pto but just a regular one where the clutch needs to be down to engage. Your pto clutch may be sticking ?

These are a very screwy set up...one of the reasons for their unpopularity...as the lever moves forward a linkage system disengages a tiny clutch..advances to engage a collar shift..then continues to release the tiny clutch.. what you are hearing is the collar shift fighting to line up and the tiny clutch is not disengaging to allow it to happen...I'm sure this is as clear mud to read and that linkage system looks like an erector set exploded in the rear case...

(quoted from post at 15:12:40 08/30/18) These are a very screwy set up...one of the reasons for their unpopularity...as the lever moves forward a linkage system disengages a tiny clutch..advances to engage a collar shift..then continues to release the tiny clutch.. what you are hearing is the collar shift fighting to line up and the tiny clutch is not disengaging to allow it to happen...I'm sure this is as clear mud to read and that linkage system looks like an erector set exploded in the rear case...

Click to expand...

That doesn't sound good, but it also sounds like what is happening.

Was this a well known problem? How much of a pita is it to get to this setup for an experienced mechanic?

Many thanks.

Grouse

There is not much you can do with it. The PTO engagement mechanism is one of a kind and is complicated.

The PTO clutch is always engaged, when you start to pull the lever forwards it disengages the clutch and slides a collar on to the drive gear to couple the PTO pack to the PTO Clutch and then it releases the PTO clutch.

There is a an adjusting screw for the timing of the linkage to engage the PTO. You can access this from the rear of the tractor, but you MUST have a JD service manual to do this.



You most likely have one of three things going on -

1. The friction plates / driven plates (item #12) are stuck to the separator plates / drive plates (item #11). My guess is that this is your issue as you have not used the PTO in 5+ years. With them being stuck together it does not allow the output shaft to release and allow the collar to slide onto to it to engage the PTO pack.

2. The linkage is out of adjustment. Maybe it is, but do not think this is your issue. No mater what there will always be some grinding when engaging.

3. The drum (item #15) has grooves worn into the edges were the drive plates ride on (item #11). With grooves worn into it, it will not allow the drive & driven plates to release. I doubt that this is your issue as the clutch is always engaged. This is a common issue on the clutches for bulldozers.

Regardless, you will need to get a JD service manual for this repair. Search eBay and you will find them. Do not buy a worthless IT manual as it does not show enough on the PTO.

I could have this opened up in an hour, but I have done this before. Don't forget to remove the hydraulic line (under the seat / remove the access cover) before removing the rock shaft.

I'm not aware of different PTO configurations on a JD 2010. They were always live and independent of the flywheel clutch....

Maybe you thinking of a JD2020...

Very few mechanics left that knows much about them,,,and the old guys like me want to forget all we know about them...I know you will find 2 guys in ten thousand that like them...but that's not very good odds... on your's there is a "chance" that if you en-gauge the PTO with the engine off, and hooked to your mower,,,start it in gear and mow a bit with it the clutch may shake around and get right...