400 PTO failure

[SDE]

With the handle forward, the brake holds it in the stopped position. Release the brake and the pto starts rotating. In the full on position it doesn't speed up at all. Even at idle the shaft should be rotating faster. I don't feel any resistance or tension applied when the handle is moved into the on position. I removed the cover and loosen the jam nuts. The jam nut that is on the adjusting bolt that was closest to the tractor, was stuck to the bolt. I removed it from the pto unit and freed it up in a vise. When I threaded it back into the unit it went in below the top of the jam nut and still had not made contact with the friction band. Did the band move and all I need to do is return it back to its original position?

When I rescued this tractor it had a corn picker on it. This is the first time attempting to use the PTO. Many years ago I bought a stripped down 400 for the hitch and I saved the pto from that tractor. Which is the easier repair? Disassemble the original unit or swap out complete units?
Thank you
SDE

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Clearly if the unit you saved from the other 400 is in good working order, swapping is the easiest. Both options require removing and installing the PTO unit.

You can take apart the non-working unit and see what's wrong. There's not that much to them really, just a planetary gearset and a couple of brake bands if I'm not mistaken.

 

[oldfarmall]

Swapping PTO units on the 400 is a fairly easy job. Park the tractor on a steep downhill grade to prevent the trans oil from leaking out. There are 4 bolts from what I remember that hold the PTO to the tractor. Take the top 2 bolts out. Make up some 1/2" threaded rod to put into those holes to support the PTO unit when you slide it out. Remove lower two bolts. Slide PTO out of the trans housing, then slide new unit back into tractor. Might need to put PTO engaged to rotate shaft so it lines up with shaft in the trans when sliding new unit into trans housing. Pretty easy, just be careful as the PTO unit is heavy. I have done this on two of my farmalls. If the square O-ring gets damaged on the PTO unit, you may need to order a new one.

 

[SDE]

Swapping PTO units on the 400 is a fairly easy job. Park the tractor on a steep downhill grade to prevent the trans oil from leaking out. There are 4 bolts from what I remember that hold the PTO to the tractor. Take the top 2 bolts out. Make up some 1/2" threaded rod to put into those holes to support the PTO unit when you slide it out. Remove lower two bolts. Slide PTO out of the trans housing, then slide new unit back into tractor. Might need to put PTO engaged to rotate shaft so it lines up with shaft in the trans when sliding new unit into trans housing. Pretty easy, just be careful as the PTO unit is heavy. I have done this on two of my farmalls. If the square O-ring gets damaged on the PTO unit, you may need to order a new one.

Thank you for the info. I thought there may be an issue about the hy tran in the rear end. I hadn't thought about the steep slope solution.

 

[SDE]

Clearly if the unit you saved from the other 400 is in good working order, swapping is the easiest. Both options require removing and installing the PTO unit.

You can take apart the non-working unit and see what's wrong. There's not that much to them really, just a planetary gearset and a couple of brake bands if I'm not mistaken.

I think am going to try take the old one apart first and if I don't like what I see, then I'll swap them and hope for the best. TY SDE

 

[300jk]

With the handle forward, the brake holds it in the stopped position. Release the brake and the pto starts rotating. In the full on position it doesn't speed up at all. Even at idle the shaft should be rotating faster. I don't feel any resistance or tension applied when the handle is moved into the on position. I removed the cover and loosen the jam nuts. The jam nut that is on the adjusting bolt that was closest to the tractor, was stuck to the bolt. I removed it from the pto unit and freed it up in a vise. When I threaded it back into the unit it went in below the top of the jam nut and still had not made contact with the friction band. Did the band move and all I need to do is return it back to its original position?

When I rescued this tractor it had a corn picker on it. This is the first time attempting to use the PTO. Many years ago I bought a stripped down 400 for the hitch and I saved the pto from that tractor. Which is the easier repair? Disassemble the original unit or swap out complete units?
Thank you
SDE

Keep us posted on your findings ! The pto on my 300 is getting weak and in need of new bands. At the end of adjustment.

 

[Charlie M]

I put new bands in my 300U last summer. Relatively easy fix, hard to pay for - they are expensive.

 

[300jk]

I put new bands in my 300U last summer. Relatively easy fix, hard to pay for - they are expensive.

Charlie did you source the bands locally ? I was told there is a place in or near Rochester that will reline them. I’ll be having to do something with my 300 row crop in the future. Just wondering as we aren’t terribly far from each other.

 

[Charlie M]

I think there is a place but its in the city near an area which I try to avoid when possible. I googled the part number and found someone on line selling them, probably ebay. If I remember correctly they were about $300 each and you need two. I probably paid a huge price to stay away from the place in the city but I'm still alive to complain about it. LOL

 

[Jim Becker]

A quick google search found "Rochester Clutch and Brake" that looks like the sort of place that can take care of the bands. They have an old address of 35 Niagara Street, Rochester which may fit Charlie M's description. They are now in Victor. All I know about them is what is says on their web page.

 

[300jk]

A quick google search found "Rochester Clutch and Brake" that looks like the sort of place that can take care of the bands. They have an old address of 35 Niagara Street, Rochester which may fit Charlie M's description. They are now in Victor. All I know about them is what is says on their web page.

Thanks ! There was a place called Buffalo clutch not far from me. I seem to think it was the same company and they closed the Buffalo location but kept the Rochester location. I’ll look into it . Thank you.

 

[Dieseltech]

Years ago I took the PTO apart on my 400 and swapped the bands around, using the better one for applying and the more worn one for the brake. It's still that way now that my brother owns it.

 

[Charlie M]

Glad to find out Rochester clutch moved to Victor. That's a nice little town straight south of Rochester about 30 minutes. Wish I had known that before buying my bands last summer.

 

[SDE]

With the handle forward, the brake holds it in the stopped position. Release the brake and the pto starts rotating. In the full on position it doesn't speed up at all. Even at idle the shaft should be rotating faster. I don't feel any resistance or tension applied when the handle is moved into the on position. I removed the cover and loosen the jam nuts. The jam nut that is on the adjusting bolt that was closest to the tractor, was stuck to the bolt. I removed it from the pto unit and freed it up in a vise. When I threaded it back into the unit it went in below the top of the jam nut and still had not made contact with the friction band. Did the band move and all I need to do is return it back to its original position?

When I rescued this tractor it had a corn picker on it. This is the first time attempting to use the PTO. Many years ago I bought a stripped down 400 for the hitch and I saved the pto from that tractor. Which is the easier repair? Disassemble the original unit or swap out complete units?
Thank you
SDE

After pulling the cover off, I discovered that by removing the adjuster, the band had fallen off the rocker that is attached to the bottom of on/off lever. It was a problem of own ignorance. The fluid in the unit was contaminated with a lot of dirt. There was even mud on the bands and drums. After re assembly and new fluid it appears to be working properly.
TY SDE