C160 Elect Clutch not engaging

[JackBox 13]

I have a 75 C160 with an electric clutch.  I found that the clutch will only engage when the it is cold.  Once I have been using the 
tractor for 30 minutes or more and then turn off the mower deck it will not reengage unless I let it cool off.  I thought maybe I
had a short or something but it seems pretty consistent and I have learned to just keep the mower deck / clutch engaged and not flip it on and off when repositioning myself in the yard.  Any ideas on how to correct this issue?

[ZXT 2,401]

20 minutes ago, JackBox said:

I have a 75 C160 with an electric clutch.  I found that the clutch will only engage when the it is cold.  Once I have been using the 
tractor for 30 minutes or more and then turn off the mower deck it will not reengage unless I let it cool off.  I thought maybe I
had a short or something but it seems pretty consistent and I have learned to just keep the mower deck / clutch engaged and not flip it on and off when repositioning myself in the yard.  Any ideas on how to correct this issue?

I've seen magnetic coils fail on their own when they get warm, but not as you describe. I would inspect the wiring going to it, clean all connections and check for voltage at the clutch when the issue presents itself. If you have a good ground and voltage is present at the clutch and it still won't kick on, I'd say you have a clutch that's on its last legs.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,137]

Two wires going to the pto clutch. One should have power so see if that wire has power when it will not engage. If it does check the ground wire for power. If it has power you have a poor ground. If no power in the ground the problem is inside the clutch.

The pto switch has two functions. In OFF the starter circuit is enabled. In ON the starter is disabled and the pto should be powered.

 

Garry

[squonk 41,648]

Either your switch contacts are getting bad and are heating up. (those rocker switches have whimpy contacts and weak spring action) or it's the clutch itself. 

[ranger 1,769]

Solenoids usually need less juice to hold them in than to pull them in, so if the voltage has dropped slightly whilst running, for whatever reason, or the clutch is a bit tired, it may not drop out when in use, but will not pull in immediately after switching off. As suggested check the voltages, connections and grounds starting at the clutch and work backwards. Also check for any excessive voltage drop when switching. Probably a good idea to check before using and note the readings as well as after it plays up.

Good luck.

Doug.

Edited July 11, 2020 by ranger

[Tractorhead 9,065]

Had that exactly same issue on my horse with the previous Clutch.

It was a Cutch for a 12 HP Engine, but after Engine Swap to a 16 HP Engine i had exactly the same issue.

 

The main reason was a hardly spinning spindle, that overloads the Magnet clutch to friction.

if it runs longer it gets extremely hot and the magnetism drops.

As far as i keep the Clutch in at cold condition, it was enough force to spin the Spindles,

but after Disengaged once after about 25-30 min. i need a break for at least 10 min to cool down,

than i was able to re engage it.

 

My suggest will be check if your spindles are spinning freely without much force.

 

I try it the other Day for a extreme long Mowing 2 1/2 h on very high grass and this was the End for the Clutch.

it melts completely until the whole clutch give up.

My later investigation shows, there was a lightly friction between electro magnet and the Clutchplate self.

So the temperature on the Clutchplate raises while there was not enough friction and as result

the magnets lost their fieldstrenght.

 

i did a test once after the Clutch couldn‘t reengaged by the Switch, i must put a littlebit a tap to the Plate and it engages,

even when it‘s hot.

 

Check the temp on your friction plate if it is shutoff and engine is off and it didn‘t reengage.

i bet frictionplate Temp is somwhere above 75 - 100 deg.C

On 120 deg C the Plasticinsulation begin to melt.

 

Edit - added Picts - 

the old 12 HP Clutch after it‘s melting

Temp after 10 minutes was allready at 102deg C 

this 10 min I need to go and grab a meter and check the Temp.

 

 

and the new improved Clutch for 20 HP

 

 

So check your Spindles and all moving bearings they be required if they turning freely without force.

Edited July 11, 2020 by Tractorhead
Picts added