Farmall 300 pto

[300jk]

Have a Farmall 300. Have had it for probably 15 years. I use it for brush hogging with a 6 foot woods mower. Ive also used it for flail chopping fresh grass for our beef cows towing a New Holland crop chopper 38. Last but not least I use it with a 7 foot snowblower to clean our driveway. Not ideal I know, and tractor is undersized for the blower, but I can make it work. Today was the first decent snow weve had this year and first time out with the blower. Didnt go so well. Pto would slow down without really bogging down the engine. After looking I think the pto lever isnt staying fully engaged. The pawls on the lever hold the lever in the right position. There is also a round can which I believe has a spring in it. The spring seems weak and not holding the pto into full on position. In my attempt to clean the drive I bungee corded the pto lever into full on position and had no issues after that. I know I know you should never do something like that because of safety. But it worked. So where is my problem ? The spring inside this can type thing ? Im too cold to go out to find my manual. Hoping someone has a little input. The bands in the pto are also adjusted properly as per the manual. Just not getting full pto power .

 

[Charlie M]

I have a 300U and the only way I can get the lever to set and stay is to pull up on the button that you push to move the lever once its in position. I've never figured out why it wouldn't just go up and down without more effort than it should take. You can check yours to see if its actually locking into the position that runs the PTO.

 

[300jk]

Ok so my lever will stay in the on and off position. I actually took off the pawl that locks it in place a week or 2 ago and welded it up and ground it to fit. My issue seems to be this spring in a can thing. Its wanting to pull the pto lever back toward the off position. Maybe its supposed to be a type of cushion for the pto. Not sure but I do know its keeping the pto from being fully engaged.

 

[Janicholson]

If there is lost motion in the lever pivot or wear in the linkage (at all) the total travel will be wrong. If lost motion, fix that first. The lever travel is critical. There is a oval cover on top of the PTO with two adjusters under it for the bands. With the lever 1/2 way between the two notches, (mid stroke) loosen one jamb nut and turn in the screw until it begins to tighten against the drum. Then back it out (I think) 1/2 turn. Then do the same to the other. If it still slips, or does not brake well the adjustment might be tightened in 1/8 turn at a time till it does. If they are screwed in all the way, it needs new bands, or those relined. The PTO shaft should turn by hand with the lever 1/2 way in its travel (measured) Jim

 

[Mac AR]

Then back it out (I think) 1/2 turn. Then do the same to the other. If it still slips, or does not brake well the adjustment might be tightened in 1/8 turn at a time till it does. If they are screwed in all the way, it needs new bands, or those relined. The PTO shaft should turn by hand with the lever 1/2 way in its travel (measured)

According to my service book, this is correct, Jim. Most likely the bands need adjusting if they're slipping like he says. Then again, it could be in the linkage as well. Welding up the latch might help, but take a look at this parts breakdown and see if anything is missing or broken:

https://www.messicks.com/cas/141925?sectionId=299786&diagramId=1320516

I would think that perhaps you need to adjust the your spring, as it's not holding properly. However, I would suggest that you get a copy of the IH service manual for the IPTO units. You can find them on ebay reasonable.

Mac

 

[MARK ROBKE]

One time on my 300u, I pulled into the hay field to bale hay, turned on the PTO, and the baler stopped as soon as I got some hay going into it. PTO was slipping. I soon found the lever was loose where it bolted to the axle, and I was able to tighten the bolts down and bale hay. Mark.