Clutch Freeplay Adjustment

EldonRC · Jul 9, 2006

Recently I decided to reduce the freeplay in my clutch pedal(about 1 3/4")
to the 0.8-1.2 inch specified in the manual.The manual is not real clear on many items and sadly this is one of them.I now have a reduced freeplay to just under 1 inch but think that the clutch appears more aggressive when engaging.Could someone tell me the procedure they followed to set clutch freeplay and if freeplay is in spec is there anyway the adjustment can still otherwise be bad news? the aggressive clutch could be my sunstroked imagination too.

EldonRC · Jul 9, 2006

Sorry---- My tractor is a CK30 shuttle shift.(Too much time in the hot sun)

bncsauve · Jul 10, 2006

My feeling is that too tight and you wear out your throwout bearing and lessen clutch engagement wearing the clutch prematurely. Too loose and it makes it hard or impossible to shift with lots of grinding etc because the clutch doesn't completely disengage. The specs would likely be the happy median between these two conditions. So, I would think that if you have an inch or so of freeplay and no trouble shifting, you are where you need to be.

Highbeam · Jul 10, 2006

I adjust the clutch a lot on my motorcycle when I bust perches and cables so I have thought about this a bit. Any freeplay, even only a half inch means that the clutch fork is off of the throw out bearing and the clutch is fully engaged. You need some freeplay, no more than the manual calls for since additional free play means that when you push in the pedal, the clutch isn't fully disengaged and that will be hard on the tranny and engine. My problem most times is where do you measure the freeplay? Some manuals show it very clearly and some are too vague.

The amount of freeplay (within the spec) has no bearing on engagement aggressiveness, only at what point in the travel of the pedal that the clutch engages.

williekioti · Jul 11, 2006

I believe Bob & HB are correct. I also have a ck30 gear. My clutch adjusting experience is non-existent w/tractors(mine only has 18 hrs so far) but have played with a few motorcycle & truck clutches though. I don't think you're sun-stroked, it may "feel" more aggresive if you adjusted the clutch to the tighter end of the free play range due to the fact that it will engage much closer to the bottom of the pedal range. It's more of a leg mechanical, sensory thing than the actual clutch engagement itself. If it is still uncomfortable after a little use, adjust out a tad more free play while staying within specs. Try a .1" or two increment, give 'er a try and see if it is more comfortable/efficient. I would be careful to keep it in w/in specs for the reasons the fellas before pointed out.

mac1520 · Jun 24, 2018

Hey guys, need some help as I知 not s tractor expert. I have a 2008 New Holland TC34DA (HST) with a Landpride 72 finish mower on the back. Last summer, I noticed the rear PTO would just stop while mowing after a few hours. I壇 find the Rear PTO handle had moved from the detent about half way up. I throttle down, re-gage the PTO and all is good for a bit until it happens again. Sometimes it wouldn稚. Seems like this season it happening more frequent. Especially in the heavy grass. Looking in the operators manual. I知 suspecting the clutch free play may be out of adjustment.

I bought the tractor with 300 hrs on it and I致e put 600 hrs on it and I致e never adjusted it.., I know... I知 a bad owner.

I measured when the clutch engages and it appears to be within spec, but not sure if I did it right.

When I looked at the clutch adjusting fork, it was turned all the way to the top of the fork, so the only way to go is to extend it down (or out).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I知 an Aircraft mechanic by trade, so I do know how to turn a wrench. Thanks.

Oldpath05 · Jun 24, 2018

I think the op and or people in this thread have long since left the building so I'll kick the ball again. Your pto problem dont sound like a free play clutch pedal problem, the right free play would be more for pto initial engagement with very little grinding. As far as the pto staying engaged, that to me sounds like there's a lever or cable issue.

mac1520 · Jun 24, 2018

Wasn稚 sure if anyone would answer, and thanks to kicking the ball again! Yea, makes sense about the free play. I was thinking maybe it falls along the same line as adjusting the clutch on a car. There is no grinding, but it can a bit stiff engaging the PTO with the clutch fully depressed. Kind of at a loss on where to go at this point.

Oldpath05 · Jun 25, 2018

mac1520 said:
Wasnç¨š sure if anyone would answer, and thanks to kicking the ball again! Yea, makes sense about the free play. I was thinking maybe it falls along the same line as adjusting the clutch on a car. There is no grinding, but it can a bit stiff engaging the PTO with the clutch fully depressed. Kind of at a loss on where to go at this point.

It's like a car as far as putting it in gear, meaning if no grinding then the clutch freeplay is in the ballpark. Maybe there's a shop manual you could download for exact adjustments, I bought a photo copied one from Messick few years ago, the info is ok but the pictures are lousy, I wouldn't buy another one like that.

My tractor clutch petal freeplay is 3/4 to 1-3/16, I have it set at 3/4, when the drive train slows down the lever goes right in and stays there. If yours is engaged by a cable then that could be causing some of the problems.

mac1520 · Jun 25, 2018

I did the same thing on buying a copy of one part of the manual. I agree, not as good as the real manuals. I found the entire set for the tractor (looks like the real McCoy) and should be here in a few days. This has been slowly getting worse, so Im hoping it痴 just an adjustment issue.