Clutch Longevity

[gerard]

I tried searching some old threads 'cause I can't beleive this has been done already, but came up dry. Any opinions out there on how many hours I should get out of a clutch? Yes I know it's going to vary a lot based on operator, types of use etc.) Assume 100 hours per year doing general arena dragging, some loader work, bushhogging, snowplowing and snowblowing. I don't slip the clutch, always engage at low rpms and treat it pretty well. No problems yet. I bought new in 1999, (L2500DT)long and now have about 950 hours on it. Just wondering if anyone with similar use has some input, opinions?

 

[Just Bill]

Hello
If the clutch is used like you say and is kept properly adjusted then it will probably out last the tractor.
Once it is engaged its a solid link with nothing to wear.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Sounds like good treatment. Has pedal freeplay decreased to require adjustment? ... how many times? I baby mine in the Mahindra as well, limiting stops and starts where possible, taking off at lo idle in lo gears of a range and shifting gently up to travel. Some field work tho, requires quick upshifts while pulling a load. No time to let the rpm drop before reengaging. That is hard on the clutch. I notice the freeplay decrease on mine after bit of that type use. Ive adjusted to restore about 1/2" of lost freeplay during 550 hrs of use.
larry

 

[gerard]

I don't have a shuttle shift so I can't shift on the fly anyway, everything is shifted while stopped. I had the travel adjust once, when it went in for the 800 hour service. I have never done it myself and it's still properly adjusted. I always assumed a clutch was a wear item that was going to need replacement eventually. Just didn't know if that was going to be at 2000 hours, 3000, 4000 etc.

 

[RickB]

The other variable is whether the clutch is over-, under-, or properly designed for the particular application. An example would be IH utility tractors built in Doncaster, England. In general these tractors have the reputation of being hard on clutches. Partly because many have loaders installed, and partly because the clutches simply are not large or robust enought for the application. On the other hand, when Ford changed to a 13" clutch in its 3 cylinder utility tractors, clutch life went from pretty good to very, very good in most cases where operation is reasonable, even in loader applications.