Section 5: Maintenance & Lubrication
RC3614 & RCM3614 Rotary Cutters 330-918M
1/20/21
45
Drivelines With Slip Clutches
WARNING
!
To avoid serious injury or death:
•
Always follow “Tractor Shutdown Procedure” provided in
this manual before dismounting the tractor.
•
A slip clutch that has been in use or has slipped for as little
as only two or three seconds during run-in may be too hot
to touch. Allow a hot clutch to cool before working on it.
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 drive train parts.
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 the friction
surfaces. Repeat “run-in” instructions at the beginning of
each season and when moisture and/or condensation
seizes the inner friction plates.
Refer to Figure 5-7 to determine which friction clutch your
cutter has. Follow “run-In” instructions on the following
pages for your specific clutch type.
Clutch Types
Figure 5-7
IMPORTANT:
Prior to initial operation and after 10
days of inactivity, slip friction disks to remove
oxidation and moisture. Moisture allows disks to slip
easily. Oxidation can prevent disk from slipping
causing driveline damage. This damage is NOT
Type A Clutch
Type B Clutch
26619
Type A Clutches
Clutch Run-In
Refer to Figure 5-8:
1. Using a pencil or other marker, scribe a line across the
exposed edges of the clutch plates and friction disks.
2. Carefully loosen each of the 8 spring retainer nuts by
exactly 2 revolutions. It will be necessary to hold hex
end of retainer bolt in order to
count the exact
number of revolutions
.
Type A Clutch Run-In
Figure 5-8
3. Make sure the area is clear of all bystanders and
machine is safe to operate.
4. Start tractor and engage power take-off drive for 2-3
seconds to permit slippage of the clutch surfaces.
Disengage 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.
5. Inspect clutch and ensure that the scribed markings
made on the clutch plates have changed position.
Slippage has not occurred if any two marks on the
friction disk and plate are still aligned. A clutch that
has not slipped must be disassembled to separate
the friction disk plates. See
6. Tighten the 8 spring retainer nuts exactly two
revolutions to restore the clutch to its original
pressure setting.
7.
Allow clutch to cool to ambient temperature before
operating again. Clutch is now ready for use.
8. 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.
See Figure 5-10 to adjust spring length.
13693