PTO problem

[Rockin'B]

I have a Ford 4000 tractor. I went out this morning to move the tractor. It has a 5 foot rough service shredder on it.
When I started it I went to hop off and noticed that the pto was turning. I checked the lever and it was not engaged. It's turning fairly quickly but not nearly like fully engaged. This mower swings a heavy blade so the PTO is obviously not dis-engaging.
What is malfunctioning here?

I'll bet something needs fixed...

[agmantoo]

I have a different brand of tractor that rotates like that when the oil is cold. I think if you were to put the cutter in heavy growth the pto would cease to turn without the lever in the engaged position.

[Rockin'B]

Originally Posted by agmantoo

I have a different brand of tractor that rotates like that when the oil is cold. I think if you were to put the cutter in heavy growth the pto would cease to turn without the lever in the engaged position.

Maybe that's it. It was cold overnight. 26 deg at 8:00 AM.

I forgot to mention that it's an independant PTO, if that makes a difference.

Thanks Agmantoo.

[Rockin'B]

Well, cold oil can't be the issue. It got into the mid fifties today and even after running it around doing some loader work, it's still spinning.

I'm getting that expensive fix feeling....

[agmantoo]

Will the PTO still drive the implement if the lever that activates the PTO is in the OUT position? IF it doesn't , then I would not worry about the turning with no load.

[Rockin'B]

Originally Posted by agmantoo

Will the PTO still drive the implement if the lever that activates the PTO is in the OUT position? IF it doesn't , then I would not worry about the turning with no load.

If I read this right, the answer is yes. It's spinning the big blade of the shredder when pto is in the "turned off" position.

Power on the pto and it picks up speed to the operating level. The lazy spinning when the pto is off is maybe 20% speed.

[Dave S.]

If the tractor is reaching operating temp, or you can at least feel some heat on the rearend of the machine you can discount the cold oil, which was my first thought. On some of our older tractors with gear oil instead of hydraulic this can happen. If you have independant pto it may have a small clutch pack to engage it. Perhaps the lever is out of adjustment? It may be a good idea to unhook the pto shaft and leave the pto lever in gear so it is not slipping the clutch pack trying to start the load of the mower. Just a couple of thoughts, hope it doesn't get expensive.

[michiganfarmer]

Ive seen PTOs that have a break to keep them from turning when they are turned off. Dad's Old John Deere 720 is that way. I dont know anythiing ford specific

[Gideon]

Have seen many that "free turn" w/o problems. If it is not dangerous I would not worry about it. Make sure all guards stay in place. I would never exit a tractor with a bush hog running-way tooooooo dangerous. wc

[rambler]

Ford has a hydraulicly operated brake on the pto. there is a good chance your brake is either worn out, or the hyd supply to it is too low. You will likely need eirther or both a new brake or/and a hyd pump rebuild. Sort of a common thing on Fords with the ind hyd pto.

I'm not so familiar with the 4000 model, folks at www.ytmag.com can help you a lot more as to _exactly_ what you will need, and how.

--->Paul

[Rockin'B]

Originally Posted by rambler

Ford has a hydraulicly operated brake on the pto. there is a good chance your brake is either worn out, or the hyd supply to it is too low. You will likely need eirther or both a new brake or/and a hyd pump rebuild. Sort of a common thing on Fords with the ind hyd pto.

I'm not so familiar with the 4000 model, folks at www.ytmag.com can help you a lot more as to _exactly_ what you will need, and how.

--->Paul

Thanks Rambler.
Talked to the local tractor repair guy and he says it is most often the brake.

Sigh...More money....

[agmantoo]

Isn't there a filter on these tractors for the hydraulic oil? If so changing the filter may benefit.