1650 - warm PTO housing

[amnion]

Noted last night as I was cutting the last of my hay that the PTO housing on my 1650, particularly the cover above the PTO shaft, was significantly warmer than the gear case. The shaft also seemed warm as I disconnected the mower PTO. I would not say that these were hot, I could hold my hand against it comfortably, but it was pretty warm, more so than I would have expected. I can't remember for sure, based on experience, on what is a normal temp back there.

If this is indicative of a problem, it seems like heat = friction, so I'm guessing: 1) lack of lubrication, or, 2) slipping clutch plates - though the implement shows no signs during operation.

Haven't checked anything yet cause it was late but does anyone know if this is basically normal operating condition?

 

[Tramway Guy]

Anytime you have gears meshing and doing work, you will generate some heat, which is a reflection of the losses (frictional). Since there is a gear mesh adjacent to the PTO shaft and clutch, the heat is present.
Rule of thumb for gearboxes of any kind is that they can run up to 100 degrees higher than ambient temperature. So if you are running in 60 degree air, the gearbox shouldn't be higher than 160 degrees at maximum. That is a lot higher than you could hold your hand on for any length of time.
I think what you are seeing is normal.

 

[K. Peters]

I'd also say thats normal.
When I use the 1650 for plowing snow (back blade) after a while mine gets warm enough to melt the snow that gets on the clutch housing and the pto isn't even running.
Just to be safe I'd check the oil level in the rearend and also next time she's warmed up good feel the trans filter, if that filter is cold and the pto housing is hot that would be a red flag to me.

 

[amnion]

Thanks for the input guys. I'd say it was about 130-140F by touch.

 

[B A Star]

If you have done therapy where you are in water you will quickly get out of the water if it is above 110 degrees.  You said that you could hold your hand "comfortably" on the housing.

If you can hold your hand on it, you don't have a problem.