450 Diesel PTO Not Working

[RoundOakDairy_WI]

I inherited this tractor from my late brother. I don't have him or my dad to ask any questions to about PTO history. I recall as a kid it worked great. Now in 2025 there is no movement at all when PTO lever engaged (right side of tractor seat). The manual says it might have a seasonal disconnect. Based on the picture below I believe my 450 does not have one. Am I looking in the right place? Thanks

 

[used red MN]

You are correct there isn’t one. It was discontinued as standard equipment on the later x00 series. It had to be ordered on the x50 series.

 

[Janicholson]

Re: 450 Farmall PTO
The linkage on well used PTOs can become dysfunctional after years of use.
Two suggestions:
Make very sure there is no lost motion in the hand lever pivot and rod mechanism. Be certain the hand lever moves the PTO lever from the middle both ways.
Adjust it like this, after there is no play in links.
Move the lever exactly half way between the locked on position and locked off position (little flipper catch on lever.
Take off the little dome metal cover from the adjust screws.
Loosen the jamb nut, and tighten the front (away from you) screw until it is just a bit tighter than the point at which it begins to feel tighter as it is screwed in (maybe a eighth turn) then back it off until the PTO shaft will turn with least drag (about 3/4 turn out) and tighten the lock nut while holding the adjuster.
Do the same for the closer adjuster.
If the screws go into the jamb nuts and get flush with the top surface of the nut, the bands are probably worn out, and may be operational for a while, but plan on a rebuild.
Now (tractor off) push the lever foward toward the brakes. As it goes down, it should get harder to push when it is about 4" (or so) away from fully OFF. and be noticeably harder to push for the last inch, but not real hard. (this is the brake band tightening on the drum in the PTO unit.
Then pull it up and do the same feel.
The ON position should feel the same way.
The shaft should turn pretty free when the lever is half way, and not at all when in either ON, or OFF. (tractor shut off)
If it slips now, it needs a rebuild. Jim

 

[Brownie450]

Jim has a wealth of info on adjustments.
Our 450 was/ is used on the auger in the fall. Lots of on/ off
use. Ours quit while augering---just plain quit. We did some
checking by taking the clutch inspection cover [I believe 6
bolts---maybe 4. Engine off, PTO pulled back [engaged],
have a helper rotate the PTO shaft with a punch in the hole in
the shaft. Look up in the inspection hole with a light & see if
the live PTO shaft is turning inside the pressure plate. If so,
the splines are bad in the PP or on the shaft.
If the punch won't turn the PTO shaft, the splines are likely
good & trouble is likely in the PTO clutch unit.
Jim