L185 PTO turns slowly in neutral

J

Jatuttle

New member

Equipment

L185 2WD

Nov 26, 2017

2

0

0

MS

Nov 26, 2017

• #1

Noticed the other day that the PTO shaft is turning slowly on my L185 even when the PTO hasn't been put in gear. I haven't had a chance to really fiddle around with it much, but just wondered if anyone had ideas. Fluid level is ok in trans, it runs fine, goes in/out of gear ok, etc. but this is a new thing far as I can remember.
Any input welcome.
Jeff

 

D

David Page

Active member

Equipment

1974 L260, 6" bush hog, subsoiler, spring tooth harrow, boom pole, 2 bottom plow

Jun 25, 2013

381

66

28

Dexter, ME

Nov 26, 2017

• #2

Mine does sometimes but if you grab it theres no drive to it just free wheeling. I don't know if vibration or what makes it do it sometimes. L260

 

rbargeron

Well-known member

Lifetime Member

Equipment

L5450, L48, L3250, L345 never enough attachments

Jul 6, 2015

1,150

219

63

western ma

Nov 26, 2017

• #3

Its just the viscosity of the oil in the trans dragging everything along with whatever is turning. If you can stop it by hand there's no problem - all normal.

If its hard to hold it from turning, the clutch might be dragging a bit and may need some adjustment.

 

Last edited: Nov 26, 2017

O

Oil pan 4

Active member

Equipment

L185 turbo

Sep 21, 2017

412

107

43

NM

Nov 26, 2017

• #4

Mine does it too.
Just figured it was fluid drag.

 

V

vic gerbasi

Member

Equipment

M110 L3300

Feb 19, 2016

232

5

18

dugald mb canada

Nov 27, 2017

• #5

Please do NOT attempt to stop the rotation by hand
Use a 2x4 or similar thing to block the rotation cause IF it is or becomes engaged there goes your hand or worse

Safety first as ALL pto components r dangerous

 

G

gcmiller

Member

Equipment

B2910, LA402 FEL, Caroni TC-910 91" finish mower, RTV900

Mar 13, 2017

105

0

16

Raleigh, NC

Nov 27, 2017

• #6

I once thought my PTO shaft was spinning when it was in neutral, but it turned out the engine vibration was causing the plastic guard around the shaft to spin. The universal joints were not spinning on either end of the shaft, just the guard. Double check if this is what you're seeing and if it is, then it means you're not using the safety chains on the shaft (I wasn't back then, but I am now).

 

J

Jatuttle

New member

Equipment

L185 2WD

Nov 26, 2017

2

0

0

MS

Nov 27, 2017

• #7

Thanks for the replies, I sure hope it's just a quirk like most have expressed. I don't have anything attached to the PTO right now. I may hook up the finish mower and see if anything still rotates. I kill the tractor while working with PTO shaft anyway.
Jeff