John Deere 60 PTO clutch

Trying to adjust the live pto clutch on a 1955 John Deere 60 does the clutch have to be engaged when you measure the 90 clearance or not engaged? a little confused thanks Howard

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]<font color="#6699ff">does the clutch have to be engaged when you measure the 90 clearance or not engaged?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]</font>"

Engage the clutch.

Take a look at the diagram below.



Note the adjusting cam (Key 40), locking screw (Key 37), clutch brake facing (Key 17), cam disk (Key 15), power shaft (Key 1), and clutch brake plate facing (Key 32).

Reviewed the [b:654c4848f0]SERVICE MANUAL FOR JOHN DEERE DEALERS MODEL 70 DIESEL TRACTOR (GENERAL PURPOSE AND STANDARD[/b:654c4848f0] in the [b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Engine Driven Power Shaft[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0] section under the [b:654c4848f0]CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT[/b:654c4848f0] topic on pages 135-10-7 and 135-10-8.

"Before attempting to adjust the clutch be sure the power shaft shift lever is in the disengaged position.



Now remove large plug ?A? and small plug ?B? from the right side of the clutch housing.



The large opening will expose the adjusting cam and locking screw provided for making clutch adjustment. The small opening will permit you to check clearance between the clutch brake facing and cam disk.

With power shaft clutch engaged, peer into the large opening and see if you can locate the locking screw in one of the notches of the clutch adjusting cam.



If the screw cannot be seen, engage the clutch, then, using vise grip pliers or a suitable wrench on the power shaft, turn the shaft (and cam)a few degrees. The adjusting cam will turn only with the power shaft clutch engaged.



Disengage clutch and again see if the locking screw is visible. It may be necessary to engage the clutch, turn the power shaft, and disengage the clutch several times before the locking screw is correctly positioned. The screw must be visible before proceeding with the adjustment.



[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]<font color="#ff0000">Engage the clutch.[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]</font> Working through the small opening, use a piece of wire .090-incb in diameter to measure clearance between clutch brake plate facing and flange of cam disk. On a properly adjusted clutch this clearance is .090-inch minimum. [i:654c4848f0]NOTE: 3/32-inch welding rod gauge is satisfactory for minimum clearance.[/i:654c4848f0]

Working through the large opening, turn the adjusting screw cam locking screw in until its head clears the slot in the adjusting cam. Now turn the adjusting cam in a counter-clockwise direction (viewed from the rear) to tighten the clutch moving the adjusting cam only one notch at a time while checking clearance through the small hole. Turning the cam counter-clockwise, which [b:654c4848f0]tightens[/b:654c4848f0] the clutch, will [b:654c4848f0]increase[/b:654c4848f0] the clearance. Turning the cam clockwise, which [b:654c4848f0]loosens[/b:654c4848f0] the clutch, will [b:654c4848f0]decrease[/b:654c4848f0] the clearance.

After the .090-inch clearance has been obtained, rotate the clutch and check clearance in two or three different positions to make sure that adjustments satisfactory in all positions.

When the adjustment is completed, turn the locking screw outward, into one of the notches of the adjusting cam. Replace the plugs.

If tractor is equipped with a clutch fork adjustment screw (tractors with Serial No. below 7031300), remove cap nut, engage clutch and turn adjusting screw in until it touches fork. Back adjusting screw off ? turn; then secure it in place with lock nut and replace cap nut."



Hope this helps.

Step by step procedure in the operator’s manual. 1-800-522-7448.

Very good James!!!

THANK YOU James I was a little confused by the book Howard

I think I have at least three maybe four publications that detail the adjustment of the PTO clutch for a JD 50. I replaced all of the wear parts in mine and fooled with the adjustment until 1 am one night. The longer I tinkered, the worse it got. The next morning I sat down and read through everything again that I had on the procedure. It was the clockwise/counterclockwise adjustment that had me messed up. ONE of the JD publications (I think it might have been in the Service Bulletins) mentioned that the clockwise/counterclockwise direction was while standing at the rear of the tractor. I had the whole assembly clamped in a bench vise, per the service manual instructions, and had been looking at it front to back. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I can usually follow printed instructions with no trouble. After realizing I had been working the wrong direction, it all went together in a matter of minutes. The clutch will engage at the extreme of either rotation - it's getting the brake to release that stumps you. After having said all that - I was glad to see that James Howell specified (viewed from the rear) in his excellent explanation.