ShaneP, Charlie, thanks for your input. When I bought the tractor 6yrs. ago it had two pressure springs but was cobbled to be always engaged. Start the tractor and the deck started too.
This forum and others were in their infancy and there was no parts look-up, sponsors, repo-manuals etc.that I was aware of. I then, not knowing a whole lot about these wonderful tractors but with a little shade tree mechanics under my belt, proceeded to cobble it some more but at least I could engage/disengage the PTO,,,, albiet when the engine was shut down so I didn't grind parts. Anyhow, with the help of some great sponsors (Madsen's in particular) I'm now on the right track. Two springs it will be!!
A few pics. of the deck and 30yrs. of grunge under the cover. The torsion spring was MIA (there but broken) ....
I don't know how it kept working and not slipping.
Go figure.
Took me hrs. to get the shouldered bolt out of the tensioner arm sleeve and free it up without breaking anything. Alot of scraping and wire brushing were the order of the day. Ospro too. I have to reassemble tomorrow (new torsion spring and belt) to keep up with the grass but it will get a full restro. including new spindles and a Steve Blunier tweaking in the winter.
Charlie,,, here is what Scott Madsen wrote back about braked PTO's so you probably did use a gauge.
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Richard, we sent along a gauge for the PTO. Actually you use the same gauge as the PTO without the brake. We don't pull the three screws down quite as far as the tool shows. Leave about 1/16" gap. That way the triangle pressure spring isn't pulled down quite as far.
Finally, after taking everything apart I found the 34yr. old bearing had been heated up a bit and a new one will be installed.
