Engine PTO shifting problem

Bill Brox suggested: >>>>If second stage clutch is not releasing you will get a hard time shifthing to engine PTO, or it may be some bending in the shifter linkage, or the sleeve on the splines
can be hard to move.
If the needle bearing in the hydraulic pump axle is badly worn it may be hard to shift to engine PTO too.<<<<<

Does anyone have suggestions for determining which of these (or others) is the culprit? I am guessing that there may be a problem with the two-stage clutch, but I'm not sure how best to determine that.(The manual I ordered is still in the mail.)

Thanks for any help.

Duane.

If the lever moves freely into and out of gear with the engine stopped, the linkage and bearings are probably ok.

A grinding with the engine running points to clutch not releasing, normally cured by adjustments thru the bottom hole - the books are clear on that procedure.

BTW, we use a setting of .055 - .060 on the adjustment - works better than the factory recommendations of .080 - .090 . And be sure to use a tight-fitting wrench, fully seated on the adjusting bolts and lock nuts. They can be stiff, and if you strip one, you will have to split the tractor to complete the adjustment!!!

Good luck!

: If the lever moves freely into and out of gear with the engine stopped, the linkage and bearings are probably ok.

: A grinding with the engine running points to clutch not releasing, normally cured by adjustments thru the bottom hole - the books are clear on that procedure.

: BTW, we use a setting of .055 - .060 on the adjustment - works better than the factory recommendations of .080 - .090 . And be sure to use a tight-fitting wrench, fully seated on the adjusting bolts and lock nuts. They can be stiff, and if you strip one, you will have to split the tractor to complete the adjustment!!!

: Good luck!

Jack,

Thanks for your response. We can shift the PTO fine with the tractor off, but get the gear grinding when trying to shift with the engine running. Sounds like the clutch is the problem. As soon as the manuals arrive in the mail, I'll try the adjustment, with your tip on the clearance spec.

Duane.