[joegreen]

I have the 1976 manual posted on this site but the figures they are giving don’t seem to match up with my 77 212. It says to adjust the length of the PTO link (link G) so the PTO lever points forward and the toggle (measurement A) is over center approximately one and a half inches. My linkage doesn’t even have enough adjustment to get it to 1 1/2.

 

[joegreen]

This is how far my link is off if i set the proper spec on arm A to 1.5in. Clearly the instructions are incorrect for my model which i doubt or I’m misinterpreting them.

 

[joegreen]

I believe this is the 1.5in they are asking for which i can only achieve with rod G disconnected from the pto lever. The instructions also stated instead of the 1.5in measurement that the pivot link could be 1/8th past parallel which is what i also have here with rod G disconnected

 

[joegreen]

Also the other issue I have is the discrepancy between the manual and the John Deere parts diagram. In the manual it shows one spring on the pto mechanism but in the John Deere parts diagram it shows two springs. I took two springs off of my tractor. So what is supposed to be there? Did the 1976 have one spring and the 1977 have two springs?

 

[tmac58star]

So how does your linkage compare/operate if you hook it up as is?

 

[joegreen]

So how does your linkage compare/operate if you hook it up as is?

I haven’t tried to operate the Pto since i bought the tractor. I wanted to adjust it first as it looked like it was adjusted / setup wrong. There was a washer and spring that was binding.

 

[ed_lincoln]

With the pto engaged the bar is supposed to be parallel to the frame and that nut behind the bar should be 1/8" away from the bar. Looks like the nut behind the bar is to far away. that spring and nut behind the bar is supposed to disengage the pto.

 

[joegreen]

With the pto engaged the bar is supposed to be parallel to the frame and that nut behind the bar should be 1/8" away from the bar. Looks like the nut behind the bar is to far away. that spring and nut behind the bar is supposed to disengage the pto.

Ah that makes sense. My further back spring went through the metal plate that attaches to the engine. This caused the spring to just kind of flop around. I will move the washer to in front of the metal plate and try to set it up properly. It still bothers me though that I cant get the measurement A of 1.5in for the pivot link correct per the manual.

 

[bobd]

Welcome to the never ending carousel of incremental JD mechanical refinements. Not counting the model 200 (which had it's own unique PTO design) there were four different configurations to the 200 series PTO system. The 1975-76 (SN 30001-70000) was the first design (this was the single spring design), then in 1977 (SN 70001-80000) there was the addition of the 2nd spring that yours has (key #31) and a stop (key #12), the next change occurred for 1978-1981 (SN 80001-190000) which also used mechanical engagement but with significant refinements, and the last change ran from 1982-1987 (SN 190001-) and consisted of the use of an electromagnetic clutch.

The SM pages that you posted only covers the first PTO design as that's all that existed at that time. The illustration in the PC pertaining to SN -80000 does explain the 2nd spring (#31), stop (#12) and spacer (#29) if you look further down at the specific part number descriptions for each it states that they apply to SN 70001-80000. I do believe that spacer #29 was also used on the 1975-76 design even though the current PC implies it wasn't.

In addition to what Ed already noted, I would check to see that spacer #29 isn't missing and that you currently have the PTO lever in the "down" disconnected (PTO off) position as if it is in the "up" (PTO engaged) position the toggle (#10) portion that link (#13) connects to will be pulled further back. Confused yet??? If you are, don't feel bad as I have 200 series tractors of each type and every time I have to jack with their PTOs I have to go back and refresh my memory as to which parts go with each. I do think that the addition of the 2nd spring was a wise move as it definitely helps in getting the PTO to disengage. Broken or weak springs can definitely cause operational issues.

 

[joegreen]

Welcome to the never ending carousel of incremental JD mechanical refinements. Not counting the model 200 (which had it's own unique PTO design) there were four different configurations to the 200 series PTO system. The 1975-76 (SN 30001-70000) was the first design (this was the single spring design), then in 1977 (SN 70001-80000) there was the addition of the 2nd spring that yours has (key #31) and a stop (key #12), the next change occurred for 1978-1981 (SN 80001-190000) which also used mechanical engagement but with significant refinements, and the last change ran from 1982-1987 (SN 190001-) and consisted of the use of an electromagnetic clutch.

The SM pages that you posted only covers the first PTO design as that's all that existed at that time. The illustration in the PC pertaining to SN -80000 does explain the 2nd spring (#31), stop (#12) and spacer (#29) if you look further down at the specific part number descriptions for each it states that they apply to SN 70001-80000. I do believe that spacer #29 was also used on the 1975-76 design even though the current PC implies it wasn't.

In addition to what Ed already noted, I would check to see that spacer #29 isn't missing and that you currently have the PTO lever in the "down" disconnected (PTO off) position as if it is in the "up" (PTO engaged) position the toggle (#10) portion that link (#13) connects to will be pulled further back. Confused yet??? If you are, don't feel bad as I have 200 series tractors of each type and every time I have to jack with their PTOs I have to go back and refresh my memory as to which parts go with each. I do think that the addition of the 2nd spring was a wise move as it definitely helps in getting the PTO to disengage. Broken or weak springs can definitely cause operational issues.

Wow thanks for that information. That definitely helps clarify the discrepancies.

 

[joegreen]

Does anyone have access to a pdf of a 1977 manual?

 

[joegreen]

Actually after searching it looks like any manual after the date of manufacture will cover the older models. So if anyone has a pdf of any 80s 200 series I assume it would include the specifications for the different manual pto setups.

 

[bobd]

Just checked JD's Technical Publications site (John Deere - Technical Information Store - Technical Information Store) and the most recent issue of SM2105 is dated 01 Oct 1981. Please understand that SM document does still fall under copyright protection. JD does however allow free pdf downloads of the current Operators Manuals (OM). The current OM for your 1977 (SN 70001-80000) is OMM81219 issue J7. That OM contains the basic PTO adjustment procedures (pdf page #21, document page #19) and is downloadable for free from the same TechPubs website. I think once you view it you will find that the basic PTO adjustment procedures for the 1975-1977 200 series is essentially the same, only the recommended clearances have changed and is now 3/32" instead of 5/32".

 

[joegreen]

Ok i think i have un-janked the previous pto spring setup. Nothing binds any more. I now have the pto lever cam over and stay into the on (forward) position. I set the gap between the washer and arm to 3/32 and i have the same distance from the pulley to the arm on each side at 2 7/8. The Pto lever feels like a nice moderate amount of effort and everything looks straight.

 

[tmac58star]

Good work. Went through a similar learning curve after I first got my 212. Some years later I refurbished a later-model 214 with the final linkage design...much better, and easier to understand and adjust.