How to adjust PTO/Second Stage of clutch on MF240

[brazosdog]

Well, I have searched all over and found some cursory loose information but nothing substantial. My tractor as a two stage clutch. I have adjusted it per the operating manual, and the 'gear side' of everything operates fine and with no issue. However, there really isn't a second stage. I can feel the second stage detent, but I can't push the pedal through the floor or get it far enough to be able to engage my PTO.

So, I need the service procedure to adjust the SECOND stage. I know I do that from the inspection plate under the tractor, but I don't have any more information than that. Can someone get me the info and specs on how to make that adjustment?

 

[MFEngineer]

If you've got 'classic pedals' (pivoted from the rear with a link to the clutch) first make sure that the link is in the front hole on the clutch arm, where it comes out of the clutch housing. There is a rear hole which limits the pedal height for loader/transport work but doesn't give enough travel for the PTO clutch.

If that is correct, get underneath and remove the inspection plate under the flywheel. There are 3 adjustment bolts around the outside of the clutch, they need to be set to a clearance of 2mm/80thou. Failing that it's split the tractor and check the clutch lever arm heights (although realistically if you're going to split it put a new clutch in).

 

[Jim.ME]

Which MF 240? There are at least 6 different parts books for the MF 240 tractors depending on where they were built and at least three different clutch linkage arrangements depending on the tractor. The serial number tag should say where it was built as well as the serial number, which is needed for some. Cab, no cab? Picture(s) of clutch pedal and linkage to the shaft in the clutch housing would be good as well. Then we can narrow it down some.

Once it is determined which 240 you have you should acquire the correct service manual for it, to have for future reference.

 

[brazosdog]

I got everything adjusted. It works OK but it still grinds because it takes so dang long for it to spin down when the secondary clutch in engaged. I know that because I can start the tractor with PTO engaged and my foot on the second stage of the clutch and it doesn’t spin. I understand there is a PTO brake that can be adjusted and I suspect this is what holds things still when the clutch is engaged. How do I make that adjustment?

 

[Jim.ME]

I got everything adjusted. It works OK but it still grinds because it takes so dang long for it to spin down when the secondary clutch in engaged. I know that because I can start the tractor with PTO engaged and my foot on the second stage of the clutch and it doesn’t spin. I understand there is a PTO brake that can be adjusted and I suspect this is what holds things still when the clutch is engaged. How do I make that adjustment?

I believe the PTO brakes are only on the Independent PTOs which are hydraulicly controlled, not the Live PTO controlled by the clutch pedal which it sounds like you have.

 

[brazosdog]

I believe the PTO brakes are only on the Independent PTOs which are hydraulicly controlled, not the Live PTO controlled by the clutch pedal which it sounds like you have.

Good to know. Yeah, mine is mechanical. Forward is ground speed and rearward is engine speed for the PTO.

 

[Jim.ME]

Did you adjust the 3 adjusting bolts in the pressure plate for the second (PTO) stage of the clutch? What clearance did you set them at?

Did you get the correct Massey Ferguson service manual for you 240?

 

[brazosdog]

Did you adjust the 3 adjusting bolts in the pressure plate for the second (PTO) stage of the clutch? What clearance did you set them at?

Did you get the correct Massey Ferguson service manual for you 240?

Yes. I got those adjusted. They were out a measurable amount. I can't remember what I set them at but referenced a few places including my service manual. That part works. I have two distinct detents now.

The clutch is working, it is a live PTO and I have a lever to select ground speed or engine speed. Engine speed is what gives me trouble.

I know the clutch is disengaging because if I start the tractor with my clutch to the floor, I can shift the lever to engage the PTO without any resistance or grinding. Nothing moves until I release my clutch pedal. All is well here.

If I start the tractor first, and then press the clutch to the floorboard at idle, I cannot engage the lever in PTO engine speed without it grinding. If you keep pressure while it is grinding, it eventually slows down and clicks in. I don't like doing this. I have allowed 3-10 seconds for things to 'stop spinning' with the clutch pressed in and it doesn't really help.

So, I figure there must be some braking system in there that slows all that stuff down when you press the clutch. Waiting 5 seconds does not allow enough time. And when you are idling, and you disengage the PTO to neutral with the lever, the equipment will take at least a minute to finally come to a halt. I just thought there might be a brake shoe of some kind in there. I don't know.

 

[Ray,IN]

Yes. I got those adjusted. They were out a measurable amount. I can't remember what I set them at but referenced a few places including my service manual. That part works. I have two distinct detents now.

The clutch is working, it is a live PTO and I have a lever to select ground speed or engine speed. Engine speed is what gives me trouble.

I know the clutch is disengaging because if I start the tractor with my clutch to the floor, I can shift the lever to engage the PTO without any resistance or grinding. Nothing moves until I release my clutch pedal. All is well here.

If I start the tractor first, and then press the clutch to the floorboard at idle, I cannot engage the lever in PTO engine speed without it grinding. If you keep pressure while it is grinding, it eventually slows down and clicks in. I don't like doing this. I have allowed 3-10 seconds for things to 'stop spinning' with the clutch pressed in and it doesn't really help.

So, I figure there must be some braking system in there that slows all that stuff down when you press the clutch. Waiting 5 seconds does not allow enough time. And when you are idling, and you disengage the PTO to neutral with the lever, the equipment will take at least a minute to finally come to a halt. I just thought there might be a brake shoe of some kind in there. I don't know.

No brake, that's the way it's designed. One of the members adjust his MF tractors 2-stage to .070" instead of .080"-.090" like the service manual states. The main clutch free-play must be properly adjusted before setting the 2-stage.

 

[brazosdog]

Yes. All free play was adjusted prior to second stage. Adjusting free play almost was enough but I went ahead and made the second stage adjustment. Im going to run with it.

 

[Jim.ME]

Yes. I got those adjusted. They were out a measurable amount. I can't remember what I set them at but referenced a few places including my service manual. That part works. I have two distinct detents now.

The clutch is working, it is a live PTO and I have a lever to select ground speed or engine speed. Engine speed is what gives me trouble.

I know the clutch is disengaging because if I start the tractor with my clutch to the floor, I can shift the lever to engage the PTO without any resistance or grinding. Nothing moves until I release my clutch pedal. All is well here.

If I start the tractor first, and then press the clutch to the floorboard at idle, I cannot engage the lever in PTO engine speed without it grinding. If you keep pressure while it is grinding, it eventually slows down and clicks in. I don't like doing this. I have allowed 3-10 seconds for things to 'stop spinning' with the clutch pressed in and it doesn't really help.

So, I figure there must be some braking system in there that slows all that stuff down when you press the clutch. Waiting 5 seconds does not allow enough time. And when you are idling, and you disengage the PTO to neutral with the lever, the equipment will take at least a minute to finally come to a halt. I just thought there might be a brake shoe of some kind in there. I don't know.

There is no brake in the live PTO, you just have to wait for things to stop. The slower the engine rpms the better. You mention you have a service manual, if there was a brake there the manual would tell you about it. Only look at info for a Live PTO.

.080" clearance is an often-stated clearance for the 3 adjusting bolts in the pressure plate for the PTO clutch. You use feeler gauges to measure and set them. Dieseltech has often mentioned reducing that clearance for better PTO clutch disengagement. Some have reduced the .080 to .065" and have better luck with the PTO. If you don't remember what you set those at you might want to check them.