Hey guys. I'm new to the numbered loboy tractors and we obtained a 185 Cub loboy in a package deal with a couple other tractors recently. Got it running and it runs very good. Noticed that the PTO pulley was removed and the rear cover off. The old man had piddled with it and he must have had issues with the PTO. While checking it for operation myself, I noticed that when you pull up on the handle it will engage and sound sort of dry. It will also disengage while its "engaged". I feel like the clutch is worn out but IDK. I have little expierence with these tractors. I need to know what to fix and how to diagnose it.
Yup. Could be quite a number of things.
Absolutely obtain the parts manual for the tractor. The PTO has more parts than you can shake a stick at.
There are two needle bearings, labeled bearing PTO idler shaft needle that the main PTO drive shaft fits into. Both bearings were shot on my 154.
There is a spring that attaches to the rod you pull up to engage the PTO, holds the rod in place, perhaps missing.
Also, if you're familiar or used to a standard Cub, the PTO on the number series sounds like it's falling apart. However, as mentioned above, it has WAY more parts in it and it's all exposed, so there is a lot more noise generated by it than the PTO on a standard Cub that's housed inside the differential case. Definitely get a parts manual before you tear into it.
If it's disengaging after its engaged your bearings are locking up and disengaging it. Time to change those two bearings.