K181 PTO/Clutch/Bearing inspection

[njdpo 10]

Hi all,

I'm working on a Wheel Horse Commando 800 with a K181S engine in it.

KOHLER ENGINE

- MODEL: K181S

- SPEC: 30461D

- SN: 4110321

I received this tractor a few weeks ago and am slowly going over the unit to bring it back into a safe and reliable working order (i am not doing a full blown trailer queen restore on the tractor).

Recently I have had some oil leaking from the cylinder and I think this problem has been fully resolved - so I am moving on with my inspections (and repairs) of the tractor.

As it is :

I am inspecting the clutch/PTO pulley and I sense there is a problem with the outer bearing of the pulley.

If I remove the PTO engagement lever from the pulley - the pulley will freely spin on the crank shaft which is coming off of the engine. The long needle bearings in the pulley seem to be in good condition.

There is a second bearing which is at the outer most end of the pulley and a long engagement arm presses the pulley into the clutch when engaged.

This bearing at the end of the pulley seems rather bound up - and a bit noisy when engaged.

I assume this outer bearing should spin freely - I've got the retaining clip out and am trying to figure out how to remove that outer bearing for replacement... Its in there pretty tight... I assume the pulley housing needs a little heat to come out ?

other questions:

* How is that inner needle bearing best cleaned and lubed ?

* How should I lubricate those inner needle bearings which go to the crank ?

* Do these bearings need frequent maintenance / lubrication? I assume the outer bearing is a sealed bearing ?

Any advice, tips and tricks you can offer are greatly appreciated.

Thanks - Dave

[rmaynard 15,964]

Take the housing off of the engine and with the retaining clip removed, drive the old bearing out from inside the housing with a hammer and a rod of some kind. You are not going to worry about damaging it since it's going to be replaced. The new one should go in rather easy, but may need a small amount of tapping with a plastic hammer or a wooden dowel.

The inner bearing can be cleaned with kerosene or mineral spirits. After cleaning and allowing it to dry, put a small amount of bearing lube on the bearing. You don't need much. It will be forced into the needles when the bearing is slid onto the inner race. Do this a couple of times, then remove any excess grease that you see. Too much grease will just be force out and get on the clutch pad.

[tunahead72 2,522]

Dave,

Here's another thread that you might find useful:

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?showtopic=27963

And for future reference if you need to replace the inner bearing at some point, Bob (rmaynard) posted a nice set of instructions recently:

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?showtopic=28309

I would also check the seal on that inner bearing. If its deformed or otherwise damaged, it might be allowing grease onto the clutch plate.

--------

A question for anybody who has an opinion -- what's the best way to make sure the clutch plate is clean?

[Lane Ranger 11,160]

This Wheel Horse PTO bearing repleacement information is very good!

Thanks to Bob Maynard and Tunahead72 for posting this great information and

replacement process. This is going to be one of my next maintenance projects also.

I have rebuilt three hydraulic pumps for 1054 tractors, repalced brushes on a Delco starter/generator for a 1054 with a 10 HP Kohler motor, changed tires on wheels, replaced oil seals on my B-80 and replaced a number of different bearings and pulleys on mower decks.

All of this was unknown, undone and untried by me before buying my first wheel horse and I have enjoyed the work and great guidance folks have shared on Red Square!

:woohoo:

[njdpo 10]

A question for anybody who has an opinion -- what's the best way to make sure the clutch plate is clean?

Brake Cleaner.

I was easily able to remove oil from the cast iron surfaces which I needed to get very clean (and dry) for inspection of a possibly cracked cylinder.

Dave