One of the most frequently asked questions is how to remove the PTO clutch from the older Cub Cadet tractors. It is actually pretty simple once you know how.

To make the process easier, I suggest removing the hood and front grille assembly, this will allow easier access to the PTO clutch.

Remove the muffler and PTO actuator bar.

Now, tap on the center button of the clutch, this will release the clutch, allowing it to be moved which is required to line up the set screw holes with the slots in the clutch basket.

Clean all the set screws, many times they will have wasps eggs or spiders in them. Spray the holes with WD-40 and then blow the holes out with compressed air. Remember to wear safety glasses as there will be a lot of debris flying around. If the set screws appear to be really rusty, fill the set screw holes with WD-40 and allow them to soak overnight. You may have to do this individually with each hole, which will mean letting it sit for three nights, one night for each hole. Spray the holes out again with compressed air.

Use a good T-bar allen wrench and tap it into the set screw. You should always tap it in to make sure it goes in all the way and gets a good grip, you are less likely to strip the set screw this way. Slowly but firmly try to turn the T-bar (be sure to loosen and not tighten). If it does not break loose and the allen wrench did not slip, you may want to treat it again with WD-40. Sometimes I have had to heat the pulley up with a propane torch. If the allen wrench does slip, it either means you did not have it fully inserted into the set screw, or the set screw stripped. If the set screw stripped, you may have to force a metric allen wrench into the set screw to get it broke loose. (note there are two sets of set screws for a total of six).

Once all SIX set screws are loosened and/or removed, you can tap on the inside of the pulley to get it off, be sure to tap towards you and not towards the engine. After you get the clutch off, you will have access to the remaining set screws so the clutch basket can be removed.

Unfortunately there are some clutches so corroded they will not come off like this and will be severely damaged during removal. If a set screw strips and refuses to break loose, it may have to be drilled out. If this needs to be done, be sure to use high quality drill bits as the cheap ones will only make the job harder. The same goes for the allen wrenches, if cheap ones are used, expect problems.

Grace and peace

- Joe