[striperon]

The PTO clutch on my '85 420 would not engage after mowing a little while and getting hot. I read a thread where Chuck Van Dusen said to check the air gap. I was certain the air gap was fine because I reset it after some work earlier this year.

Wrong! One of the bolts did not hold the clutch at .018, and needed tightening. Apparently after the tractor warmed up, the gap widened. So I reset the gap when the tractor was hot. Now the clutch engages every time I turn on the switch.

Just adding this in case others experience this issue. And be careful then the tractor is hot. It is easy to be burned. Thank you again, Chuck, for another helpful and informative post.

 

[iruossim]

If your clutch uses the teflon/nylon locking nuts, might consider changing them out. As the plastic heats up it looses its locking ability. Thus allowing the nuts to back off. By using an all metal locking nut you're more likely not to find one backed off. My 2 Cents

 

[420glh]

I agree with Matt. I'm in the process of making the PTO adapter plate on my GX690, and I can take the PTO apart by hand the nylock nuts are so worn.

I have the new ones for when I'm done, fear not...

 

[striperon]

Good thinking, Matt. Thanks for the suggestion.