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Section 5: Maintenance & Lubrication
RCF3696, RCFM3696, RCF3610, & RCFM3610 Rotary Cutters 326-600M
8/20/21
Driveline Slip-Clutch
Cutter drive components are protected from shock loads
by a friction slip-clutch. The clutch must be capable of
slippage during operation to protect the gearbox,
driveline and other drivetrain parts.
Clutch Run-In
Refer to Figure 5-4:
WARNING
!
To avoid serious injury or death:
Always disengage power take-off, put tractor in park or set
park brake, shut tractor engine off, remove ignition key, and
wait for blades to come to a complete stop before dismounting
Friction clutches should be “run-in” prior to initial
operation and after long periods of inactivity to remove
any oxidation that may have accumulated on friction
surfaces. To prevent driveline and gearbox damage,
repeat “run-in” instructions at beginning of each season
and when moisture and/or condensation seizes inner
friction plates.
1. Using a pencil or other marker, scribe a line across the
exposed edges of the clutch plates and friction discs.
2. Carefully loosen each of the 8 spring retainer nuts on
the clutch housing a total of EXACTLY 2 revolutions.
It will be necessary to hold the hex end of the retainer
bolt in order to count the exact number of revolutions.
3. Start tractor and engage driveline for 2-3 seconds to
permit slippage of the clutch surfaces. Disengage the
power take-off, then re-engage a second time for
2-3 seconds. Disengage power take-off, shut off
tractor and remove key. Wait for all components to
stop before dismounting from tractor.
4. Inspect clutch and ensure that scribed markings
made on the clutch plates have changed position.
Slippage has not occurred if any two marks on the
friction disc and plate are still aligned.
5. Tighten each spring retainer nut on the clutch
housing exactly 2 revolutions to restore clutch to
original setting pressure. See Figure 5-6 on page 59
and tables below Figure 5-6 for exact spring length.
6. The clutch should be checked during the first hour of
cutting and periodically each week. An additional set
of scribe marks can be added to check for slippage.
IMPORTANT:
If clutch run-in procedure indicated
that one or more friction disks did not slip, the clutch
must be disassembled to separate the friction discs.
Clutch
Figure 5-4
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