Go BottomKubota L185 PTO problem
 | Rod Leer
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2001-05-16 28280
I just stuck my neck out and bought a very rugged L185. The first project on the tractor is the PTO. The previous owner said that it would work when the tractor was cold but after 30-60minutes of mowing it would dis-engage. It would maybe engage again but would dis-engage in a few minutes. This would continue until it would no longer work.He also said that it would work in reverse better, what ever that means. Could this be as simple as a screen/filter/oil replacement or maybe much more serious. Any advice or education on the working of the L185 PTO will be greatly appreciated. Rod
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada 
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2001-05-17 28292
Rod, Ithink you will find the problem is a very simple one, HOWEVER, I don't think you are going to like the answer. The problem you are having is VERY common with small tractors (under say 40hp), it is very easy to overload the pto on this size machine, the most common culprit seems to be snow blowers, with roto-tillers and bush-hogs fighting for second place. Basically what happens is the load on the pto exceeds the hp the tractor can put out the pto, the result is something has to give, generally that something is the pto clutch. The symptoms you describe are a 'classic, text book' example of this, with the machine cold and tolerances snug, the clutch holds, under load the clutch starts to slip, which causes heat, causing further slippage, let it cool a few minutes and it hooks up again, until the next minor overload, then it slips free again. This is why it "works better in reverse", reverse is generally a lower gear, meaning you would be cutting at a slower rate and therefore reducing the load on the pto, reducing the slippage. The easy way to diagnose it is to load the pto (such as warm everything up, raise the bush-hog, back over a think patch of grass, turn and watch the mower as you lower the unit it into the grass, if the drive shaft slows or stops your clutch is shot). Sorry I can't give you better news, the solution is to split the tractor in half and put in a new clutch. Best of luck. ....
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| Rod Leer
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2001-05-17 28300
Thanks Murf,
I think you nailed it. Do you have a suggestion on an online/phone parts house where I may be able to purchase a PTO clutch? Also, are there preventative things I can do while I have it split? Like Foot clutch, pressure plate,fork, seals, screens so I do not have to go back in for along time. The unit has alot of wear. Thanks again. Rod ....
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2001-05-17 28303
Rod, the clutch is a single, two-stage clutch unit (and not cheap) I don't know of, but I'm sure there are, aftermarket suppliers. Since it is not a 'normal' clutch such as you may be used to (car, truck, etc.) I would not recommend you tackle it alone, if you feel you are able to do it, great, go ahead, but get the local dealer or someone to setup/assemble the clutch and plate, since it is two clutches in one they must be VERY closely aligned and adjusted or else you will not have both functions AND the correct free-play on both. This mis-adjustment can very quickly become very expensive. As for other things 'while you're there', absolutely, do EVERYTHING you can afford or care to do, especially transmission bearings, which are the first thing to wear. Best of luck. ....
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