|
|
Cub Cadet 7205 PTO clutch problem
Hi:
I've got a three year old Cub-Cadet 7205 tractor with 405 hours on it. When the PTO is engaged or not engaged, life is good everything works (and sounds) fine. However, when I step on the clutch with the PTO engaged (at any engine RPM) there is a loud "clicking" noise coming from the "bell housing" of the transmission, located beneath the instrument console. The noise goes away instantly if I disengaged the PTO "on-off" lever.
The dealer says that this most likely indicates a worn PTO clutch pressure plate. His hood-of-the-tractor estimate for repair is 20 hours of labor at $75 per, and about $800 worth of parts (remember, I'm in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, everything is more expensive out here).
He admits to being mystified as to how this could be in this shape in only 400 hours (I'm the second owner), and he says there are no additional diagnostics available to narrow this down any further. The same dealer has done all of the routine service since the tractor was new (however, the last service was at 200 hours, two years ago). Further, he says it might last another 1000 hours, or it could fail completely tomorrow.
So, my questions are:
1) Do the signs I'm describing sound familiar to anyone?
2) If I just go with it as is, am I setting myself up for a more catastrophic failure down the road? It works fine now, so one part of me says use it until it fails hard.
3) Being on an island, there is no obvious source for a second opinion, so any thoughts on how to get a second opinion?
4) If you've had this kind of surgery before, is 20 hours a reasonable labor number? He says the tractor has to be literally "split in half".
Thanks!
Jonathan
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
Cub Cadet 7205 PTO clutch problem
My 7205 does the same thing, I have less than 300 hours. It did it since new. I run a mid-mount deck and it will only do it when I push in the clutch to disengage the deck, and then just for a couple of seconds until the deck stops spinning.
I wouldn't worry about it, I don't. I don't have the service manual, but I would say there is a one-way sprague that slips (clicks) and won't allow an implement to input torque to the system.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
Cub Cadet 7205 PTO clutch problem
My 7305 (1998 w/ 500 hrs) makes the same "clicking" sound as you describe when I have the rear PTO engaged and push in on the clutch. It has done this since I bought it (350 hrs). I don't know if it is a problem - everything seems to work fine.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
Cub Cadet 7205 PTO clutch problem
Hi:
I appreciate the responses. I just had too much trouble believing that there was a serious problem in such a young tractor. Also, the service guys were not confident what the problem was and I wasn't willing to go on a fishing expedition at my expense, especially since the machine works just fine.
Thank you for your comments about similar behavior in your machines!
Jonathan
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
Cub Cadet 7205 PTO clutch problem
It is my understanding from questioning the same thing that this series of cub cadet has a over running coupler on the pto drive just as mj4ster suggested thus not to worry.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
Cub Cadet 7205 PTO clutch problem
Another point of interest, several years ago I had a Satoh S650G which is also a Mitsubishi tractor. This machine exhibited the exact same condition and I never had a problem with it.
The more disturbing point not yet noted here is that your dealer was ready to charge you $2500 for a problem that doesn't exist. You would think that this is not the first tractor he's sold and should be aware of the condition.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
Cub Cadet 7205 PTO clutch problem
I have a 7305 with 1200 hrs. Use it for landscaping and around my farm. Been a good tractor but I have the same problem only it's also when you are putting power to the pto. I know that the clicking is an over running clutch. Have talked to a dealer in the area but they don't sell the bigger compacts so they have never had one apart. I am trying to find the tech service manual. Any suggestions?
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
Cub Cadet 7205 PTO clutch problem
Almost four years and 400 more hours later things are still working fine. I purchased my service manual and parts lists from the dealer. Frankly, I find the owners manual has more useful information for what I need to do.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
Cub Cadet 7205 PTO clutch problem
It is an over-running clutch that is making the noise. I've never heard of it on start up but definitely on disengage. You might be on the way out if it is ratcheting on the way in.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|
Cub Cadet 7205 PTO clutch problem
FYI Wound up splitting tractor and replacing overruning clutch. Mating surfaces rounded over. You can see the clutch through the oil fill hole. Quite a job to slpit with loader and mower brackets. 2 days. Working like new again. Wil have to keep an eye on it. 1200 hrs and worn out. Not happy about that.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
|
|