Slipping PTO when hot question/ help?
 

Hello, new to the forum and new to my GT2186 w/54"deck. Not sure if I'm on right forum section, but here it is. After mowing for a hour or two the PTO did not want to engage the mower deck. I can here it snap in, but just spins with no blades spinning. The hotter it gets the worse it is. Before I disconnected the pesky back up switch it was a real problem. After hot it will continue to run fine Unless you need to turn PTO off. Then it snaps in, but will not engage deck. Just slips.
Also I have two decks. The original 48" and a little newer one w/the deck wash thats on it now. Is there a model # on the decks somewhere?
Thanks much for any help & suggestions.

There are two things I think of quickly. Others may have more to say. First, check voltage on the wires at that clutch (not at the switch or anywhere else - it must be at the clutch) when it is running and particularly when it is hot. Low voltage can cause such symptoms, but worse yet, it may slip without you realizing it and can cause the clutch to burn up in short order.
Secondly, how many hours are on the machine. Those clutches seem to have a limited life span. Clutch coils can get weak especially if they are partially burnt. You may be in for a new clutch.

There's 330 hrs on it. Thanks for the voltage tip. I'll check. I assume there should be 12vdc? Are there pads or something in clutch that make the lock up ? It's pulling the coil in, just not locking up. Would low voltage make it only partially engage?

The clutch works on metal-to-metal contact. If the magnetic force is too weak, it may appear to engage, but not be clamped together tight enough to transfer any power to the belt. The clamp force is pretty incredible. Your voltage at the coil should not be less than 11 vdc at the coil with the engine running and the PTO engaged.

That makes sense.
 

I'm still wondering what could make the voltage vary from when aching is hot or cool? Once it's engaged, you can mow for hours no problem, unless you need to turn it off & back on

check the clearance on the clutch ,set the gap between the stator and the pressure plate at .010

If the gap is adjustable, it should be set. If it is adjustable, I am with dale c. I don't know which clutch that machine has, but most modern clutches are not adjustable. In most cases that the gap is too wide, once it is engaged, it will stay engaged. However, magnetic properties of the coil can change with temperature, especially if the voltage is minimal. Check those two things and keep us posted.

BTW. I should have said it in my first post. Welcome to OCC. Glad to have you.

BTW. I see one of the administrators or moderators moved this post to the correct category. Posts for this tractor should be in the CCC/MTD Cub Cadet built tractors.

Thanks for all the info. I'm already learning a lot. I'll be checking those things today if the weather allows. Also thanks for the welcome. This is a great site!!

Part number for your PTO is 917-3403. Your clutch is not adjustable as far as the air gap is concerned.

This is an after market replacment that looks like it may be a better design. I have not tried one yet but will when I need to replace a PTO.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cub-Cadet-PT...item3cd580b0b4