kpinnc 16,654 #51 Posted November 4, 2024 (edited) I’ve never had luck enough to find a working PTO for my Bronco, but my zero turn has gone through two electric clutches. Then I found something called a “soft start clutch controller”. It’s small enough to hide on a tractor and measures engine RPM from a coil you make on the spark plug wire. It engages the clutch with pulses similar to how antilock brakes work. Once the PTO is moving, the controller drops to solid DC and stays until disengagement. Definitely makes for a softer engagement! I have used mine for four years, mowing 2-3 times a week with zero issues. I paid about $60 for mine. If I ever find a clutch for my Bronco, or any other machine, I’ll be using another one. https://www.gdimeters.com/products.cfm?Page=Products&Product=SoftStart Clutch Controller Edited November 4, 2024 by kpinnc 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
midpack 1,084 #52 Posted November 4, 2024 6 hours ago, kpinnc said: I’ve never had luck enough to find a working PTO for my Bronco, but my zero turn has gone through two electric clutches. Then I found something called a “soft start clutch controller”. It’s small enough to hide on a tractor and measures engine RPM from a coil you make on the spark plug wire. It engages the clutch with pulses similar to how antilock brakes work. Once the PTO is moving, the controller drops to solid DC and stays until disengagement. Definitely makes for a softer engagement! I have used mine for four years, mowing 2-3 times a week with zero issues. I paid about $60 for mine. If I ever find a clutch for my Bronco, or any other machine, I’ll be using another one. https://www.gdimeters.com/products.cfm?Page=Products&Product=SoftStart Clutch Controller These are awesome! No more hard starting of the implement 😀 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 53,854 #53 Posted November 4, 2024 7 hours ago, kpinnc said: If I ever find a clutch for my Bronco, What one do you need KP ... I have a couple 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,646 #54 Posted April 15, 2025 @pfrederi love the picture of the wide rubber seal bearings . what could you possibly do ???? the violent engagement , combined with combined rotational drag , is the issue , while I do not have an electric PTO , every related bearing in my 3 decks , has had a substantial grease upgrade , deck / mule drive bearings , all have polyurea rated , hi temp 550 , flash point , lucas green chassis grease , after a bearing clean out and repack . the spin up is ridiculous with movement ease . X-TRA HEAVY DUTY GREASE , walmart $ 8 , have not had a bearing failure or any bearing WHYINE NOISE , from my bearings . my decks spin easily by hand at the pto to deck belt area , only a suggestion , but anything that WAS A PIA , for repetitive failure , is years gone away , take it apart , and detail every stage of movement . pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,646 #55 Posted 5 hours ago @pfrederi all the related , wide grease shields are glairing to me , easily removed and wiped / flushed out , like a 550 deg flash point and also polyurea rated , anti sling grease , very often refer to COLLECTIVE ROTATIONAL DRAG , that is what eats belts and makes for difficult starting . personally ease into my pto lever , no whining noise at all , also have never replaced a clutch disc , due to heat splitting or heavy wear , make a point of verifying ease of function , at every stage . also none of my belts are frayed , from belt bounce or incremental bearing hang up , due to lube failure . great pictures , if I had electric start , it would have the soft start set up . pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
