Mahindra 5530 slow power to wheels

[luckyme2010]

Mahindra 5530 the engine cranks and runs like a top now the issue. When in high gear no implements except the fel let the clutch out tractor just sits then starts creeping forward then it’ll go fine. In low gear tractor will move in 1 low better than any other low gear, let the clutch out it’ll slowly move build speed and go. Any slight hill in any gear over half to full throttle tractor rolls to a stop and won’t climb it “and I’m talking a paved road rising slight hill” power down some it’ll start rolling slowly and barely climb. It was low on transmission fluid about 3 gallons I added that and replaced the filter it’s still doing the same thing. No smoke no engine power loss it’s like the power loss is from transmission to wheels. The steering works fine and the fel works fine. Even using a 6 foot disc it would pull it and never check up now it doesn’t wanna go if the disc is just on it picked up and not digging. One more thing it stays parked on concrete pad no puddles from leaking transmission fluid so where’d that go?

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Not sure where your fluid went, or even how much it holds ...

Guessing if the clutch was slipping you would know what that would smell like ...

By chance do you have fluid filled rear tires?

4X4? If so does it also do this in 4X4?

If it doesn't do it in 4X4 and tires are filled, I'd check the tire pressure, if low they could be slowly spinning on the rims ...

 

[Harry in Ky]

It's a button clutch, they don't always smell the way woven linings do. And yes, it's slipping. Any free play in the pedal?

 

[luckyme2010]

It is 4x4 and does this in 4wd. The tires are not filled. The clutch doesn’t feel like there’s any free play feels the same way it has ever since I’ve had the tractor. Later yesterday I did find a loader lift arm cylinder leak so that’s where some fluid went. It only did it when I had a load in the bucket. Might be why there’s not a puddle in the concrete. I was living here where my tractor is but have moved 2 hours away so I only get a day or 2 here to figure things out. I think today I’m just gonna limp it to the repair shop around the corner and call it done. I’ll follow up on here afterwards and let everyone know what the problem was incase this happens to someone else.

 

[Harry in Ky]

The first thing they'll do is check (and adjust) pedal free play. You say it has none. Well, I say it did back when it was working right. If you're lucky that adjustment MIGHT get you a little more use out of it.

 

[luckyme2010]

The first thing they'll do is check (and adjust) pedal free play. You say it has none. Well, I say it did back when it was working right. If you're lucky that adjustment MIGHT get you a little more use out of it.

This tractors a 2008 and really I’ve had zero issues on it other than just normal wear and tear parts. As much as new ones cost with their own problems and more cheaply made I don’t mind dumping a couple grand in this one to have it going again. Also I have used this thing to do stuff it shouldn’t have been in through the years.

 

[Harry in Ky]

This tractors a 2008 and really I’ve had zero issues on it other than just normal wear and tear parts. As much as new ones cost with their own problems and more cheaply made I don’t mind dumping a couple grand in this one to have it going again. Also I have used this thing to do stuff it shouldn’t have been in through the years.

The clutch is indeed a "normal wear and tear part" so you're right on track. Just be aware that if the clutch is replaced it won't last seventeen years. I can't explain exactly why, but it just works that way. A new tractor with a dry clutch can go for years and even thousands of hours on the original clutch. You replace it at some point (doesn't matter where the parts come from or how much they cost) the next clutch won't go half that distance. I've replaced literally hundreds of clutches, both after market and OEM original equipment dealer supplied parts and the results are always the same. Case in point. About six months ago (maybe less) I replaced the shuttle synchronizer in a Kubota tractor about the same age as yours. The clutch was at the end of it's life so it was replaced as well. Granted, it was an after market kit, but guess what? He's burned through that clutch already and it's coming back apart this week for another clutch. Same operator, on the same farm, doing the same work.