L3902HST - Over-running clutch

GigEmAggie87

New member

Equipment
L3902
Jun 20, 2023
4
1
3
chessie2023-
Need suggestion.... I have a new L3902HST, and use a CountyLine Rotary Cutter. I accidently hit a tree stump and the tractor completely shutdown. Should I look at installing a over-running clutch or a friction clutch?

Thanks for your suggestions!
 

fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
7,843
5,066
113
Eastham, Ma
Need suggestion.... I have a new L3902HST, and use a CountyLine Rotary Cutter. I accidently hit a tree stump and the tractor completely shutdown. Should I look at installing a over-running clutch or a friction clutch?

Thanks for your suggestions!
Unfortunately, you bought a County Line (TSC - Tarter Gate - built for price) cutter.
It SHOULD have come WITH a friction clutch.
 

Smokeydog

Well-known member

Equipment
M59, B26 grapples, backhoes, tillers, graders, diesel atv
Jun 2, 2020
670
623
93
knoxville, Tennessee
Have friction clutches on my rotary cutters and rototiller pto shafts for driveline protection.

Use a overrunning clutch on the bigger tractor so not to wear internal pto brake with high inertia rotary cutters spinning down. The blade disk on the brown cutter is 400#
 

Russell King

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
5,371
1,418
113
Austin, Texas
Need suggestion.... I have a new L3902HST, and use a CountyLine Rotary Cutter. I accidently hit a tree stump and the tractor completely shutdown. Should I look at installing a over-running clutch or a friction clutch?

Thanks for your suggestions!
There should be a shear pin or a slip clutch on the PTO shaft. That protects your tractor. To me that means your tractor dying means that device did not work properly.

Your tractor should already have an over running clutch built into it. That device does not provide the same protection when the mower hits something. The overrunning device lets the mower spin without applying power into the tractor when you disconnect the PTO (push clutch down?).
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

GigEmAggie87

New member

Equipment
L3902
Jun 20, 2023
4
1
3
chessie2023-
There should be a shear pin or a slip clutch on the PTO shaft. That protects your tractor. To me that means your tractor dying means that device did not work properly.

Your tractor should already have an over running clutch built into it. That device does not provide the same protection when the mower hits something. The overrunning device lets the mower spin without applying power into the tractor when you disconnect the PTO (push clutch down?).
Yes, I was told it did come with a shear pin, but as you stated... I dont think the shop where I purchased it, didnt just throw in a typical bolt. I will for sure, go purchase shear pins and replace what is there now. I also was concerned if I should have included a friction clutch. The L3902HST does not have a foot clutch, just the dial to engage the PTO. thanks for the feedback! Ive definitely learned not to buy these cheaper attachments that are cheap on protective devices.
 

Russell King

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
5,371
1,418
113
Austin, Texas
Yes, I was told it did come with a shear pin, but as you stated... I dont think the shop where I purchased it, didnt just throw in a typical bolt. I will for sure, go purchase shear pins and replace what is there now. I also was concerned if I should have included a friction clutch. The L3902HST does not have a foot clutch, just the dial to engage the PTO. thanks for the feedback! Ive definitely learned not to buy these cheaper attachments that are cheap on protective devices.
Some shear pins are just bolts and should be low grade (grade 2 maybe grade 5). Some shear pins are grooved pins or bolts.

You should read the instruction manual and see what it recommends and put that in the implement.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

TGKY

Active member

Equipment
L4701DT
May 24, 2018
113
38
28
US
I’ve actually had fairly good luck with shear pins and running “budget” rotary cutters a lot harder than they get credit for. For about 12 years I ran a lower mfgr Andy 500 with shear bolts and cut pretty much anything my tractor would run down along with hitting my share of rocks and stumps.
for me the key was to make sure I used a lite grade bolt for the pin- never a grade 8 and I generally stayed away from grade 5.
It was basically a given that I’d got through 2-3 bolts per year and I always kept up with inspections on seals, shafts tractor clutch travel etc- I just never had any trouble

now when I moved to a larger tractor and woods cutter I entered the slip clutch world and it’s fine no doubt- but I did like the simplicity of the old set up.

No that I have a slip clutch I make sure to check it every year for slippage. I store it in doors but do worry some about moisture causing it to bind. Simple enough process but not as simple as the pin.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
30,234
6,399
113
Sandpoint, ID
Your tractor has a built in overrunning clutch.
You can buy an upgraded PTO shaft with a slip clutch.
But what you really needed is a softer Shear pin to shear during such impacts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users