My Tractor

Clutch Problem - 5/5/21 ~ by Griz (aka Steve Stovner) ~
Friday, I went to use the tractor to pick-up all the big limbs that came down over the winter. Have several piles I've been mowing around. I knew the battery was fading so when I parked it, 9 months ago, I put a trickle charger on it. But no go, the battery was totally shot. This morning, I got a new battery ($109 at Home Depot was the cheapest I could find for a decent battery). Damn high price.

The negative cable was in good shape and only needed the clamp ID cleaned. But the positive was all festered up and clamp ends would not move on the bolt. So, I took it into the shop for overhaul. New battery slid right into the battery box and clamps tightened up nicely - Job done. With tools still laying on the hood and tool box sitting on top of the rear wheel, I pushed in the clutch and hit the starter. Tractor lurched forward, Tools flew everywhere and I damn near ran over my toolbox. The clutch disk was seized to the flywheel. I've had seized clutches before but never in only 9 months sitting. And never on my Tractor.

With it out of gear I cranked a few minutes before remembering to turn on the fuel. Then it started instantly and purred like kitten as I warmed it up. With fuel shutoff, power to the coil disconnected, clutch in and brake on, I tried starter in 1st, reverse, 2nd and 3rd to no avail. Pulled the plugs to remove compression load on the starter. Same result. Starter could not break clutch free. With fuel, coil power and plugs, I put her in 1st, started it up and drove over the lip of the steep hill. As soon as she was moving downhill, I turned off the key with clutch in, hoping back pressure would break the clutch free, but no-go, the engine was being turned by the rear wheels. Tried a 2nd time with same results. I only had a little of the hill left to work with. I did the same thing, but this time in 3rd gear and max throttle, I was really flying when I hit the flat in front of the shop and turned the key off (with clutch in). Rear tires drug about 3 feet before the clutch disk broke free.

Maybe tomorrow I will put the forks on and move branches to burn pile.

Many more tractor stories to tell ~ by Griz (aka Steve Stovner) ~
TBD Text.