Tractor/mower troubles.

[HarryM1BYT]

Lawnflite 703 which uses three drive belts.

1. Engine to variable speed pulley.
2. VS pulley to rear gearbox to drive the rear wheels.
3. Deck drive belt.

#2 suddenly snapped yesterday, so no drive at all. I bought it second hand earlier in the summer, to replace my older one. I could see #1 was beginning to crack, so had decided to order a full set of replacements, but never got around to it until now - they are on their way now

Since I got it, I have had problems with it failing to cut and have only just worked out why...

It uses a PTO clutch and the PTO clutch is slipping. The engine shaft comes out below, on that is the drive pulley to #1 above, then below that the PTO clutch unit. The PTO is operated by a mechanical lever arm, with a spring linked to an operating arm by the steering wheel. Some are electrically operated, but this one is mechanical.

I have not had a full look at the problem yet, but the end of the shaft ends in a small bolt plus shakeproof washer, with a quite large nut where the clutch case is. The clutch case looks like a thick pancake shape, the upper section rotates with the engine shaft, the lower part with pulley only rotates when the engagement lever is set to engage.

I have been completely unable to find a detailed manual for the mower, nor any details on this type of mechanical PTO clutch at all.

I'm wondering if it can be adjusted/ repaired. Has anyone tackled these please?

[RPWC]

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

Lawnflite 703 which uses three drive belts.

1. Engine to variable speed pulley.
2. VS pulley to rear gearbox to drive the rear wheels.
3. Deck drive belt.

#2 suddenly snapped yesterday, so no drive at all. I bought it second hand earlier in the summer, to replace my older one. I could see #1 was beginning to crack, so had decided to order a full set of replacements, but never got around to it until now - they are on their way now

Since I got it, I have had problems with it failing to cut and have only just worked out why...

It uses a PTO clutch and the PTO clutch is slipping. The engine shaft comes out below, on that is the drive pulley to #1 above, then below that the PTO clutch unit. The PTO is operated by a mechanical lever arm, with a spring linked to an operating arm by the steering wheel. Some are electrically operated, but this one is mechanical.

I have not had a full look at the problem yet, but the end of the shaft ends in a small bolt plus shakeproof washer, with a quite large nut where the clutch case is. The clutch case looks like a thick pancake shape, the upper section rotates with the engine shaft, the lower part with pulley only rotates when the engagement lever is set to engage.

I have been completely unable to find a detailed manual for the mower, nor any details on this type of mechanical PTO clutch at all.

I'm wondering if it can be adjusted/ repaired. Has anyone tackled these please?

I would imagine if there is adjustment, there will be a threaded arm of some sort, as with mechanical clutches on cars years ago Harry.
You could go to a local garden machinery centre and ask them if they have or can source a manual for your even just ask their advice, as to whether or not its worth replacing the clutch assembly, or better off looking out for a replacement machine.I know the one at work, which is a Westwood, is prone to snapping the drive belt for the cutter. The boss has spent small fortune getting specialists to try and sort it, but its that old now, I think he may as well just sell it for spares or repair and buy something newer.

[HarryM1BYT]

I'm just waiting for the replacement drive belts to turn up (and Jean), before delving in. Jean is due back home tomorrow, after a trip up north visiting her relatives and I will need her assistance to turn the tractor on its side to work properly on the underside.

I have tried feeding the full model number into the Lawnflite website and it doesn't even seem to recognise the model. That site just leads to the MTD website. Emailing them with enquiries, they do not bother replying.

[RPWC]

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

I'm just waiting for the replacement drive belts to turn up (and Jean), before delving in. Jean is due back home tomorrow, after a trip up north visiting her relatives and I will need her assistance to turn the tractor on its side to work properly on the underside.

I have tried feeding the full model number into the Lawnflite website and it doesn't even seem to recognise the model. That site just leads to the MTD website. Emailing them with enquiries, they do not bother replying.

Is there not a phone number?

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by RPWC

Is there not a phone number?

Just found a phone number hiding at the top of their home page. It is a very dysfunctional web site.

[RPWC]

Your nearest dealer is Wakefield Harry, but quite a few in the area, Ponteefract, Harrogate,Keighly.

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by RPWC

Your nearest dealer is Wakefield Harry, but quite a few in the area, Ponteefract, Harrogate,Keighly.

Thanks and got some sense out of the site at last. That site forwards you to the MTD site, if you go looking for parts, but if instead you look for dealers via the Lawnflite site, you can get details of dealers.

I have rung the one in Wakefield who says the clutch can only be replaced - cost just short of £300 - ouch! I will definitely be taking it off to see if I can fix it up myself.

[EDIT]

I then found one selling for <£200, armed with the part number I then found one on ebay..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/14778-REPL...QAAMXQWzNSm~w6

It is limping along at the moment, so no desperate urgency.

[HarryM1BYT]

Er, forget that I think I have solved it...

I managed to push it under cover to work on it, turned it over a little way onto it's side, to get a better look at the issue(s).

Even with the PTO clutch engaged, I could with a bit of effort turn the PTO pulley in relation to the engine output shaft.

A very long bolt up from the centre, through the PTO into the end of the crankshaft, then a very large but thin outer nut above that, which was quite loose. I tightened the thin nut and the clutch appeared to lock up fully.

The thin nut is clearly visible in the ebay photo.

The only thing remaining, is to work out how that thin nut is supposed to be set, or how tight it is supposed to be. Plus of course waiting for my replacement motion drivebelts to turn up.

[RPWC]

Well done, bit of detective work has saved you a lot of money.

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by RPWC

Well done, bit of detective work has saved you a lot of money.

Yes and a nice warm feeling inside

I did ask the local agent I rang, if the clutch was adjustable - they said no, if it is slipping the only fix is a complete new part. I guess they have never come across the clamp nut coming loose before. It pulls the entire unit together, determining the clutch plate clearance. I am going to assume it needs to be as tight as possible and as there is nothing to lock to lock the nut, put some Locktite on the threads.

I have since found yet another problem. One of the two pulleys for the two cutter blades had a bit of a vertical wobble on, as if it had been knocked out of true. A closer look at that revealed that the centre of the pulley had been replaced with welded in centre plus a botched spacer made from tube - It looks like an easy fix to turn it square in the lathe.