High pitch squeal

[Paddy]

Good day,

I have a KAMA 454. I have an intermittent issue. After tractor is warmed up and I have done some grading or such, I get a high pitch squeal. It will last for 5 seconds or so. I recall, It will stop if I push in the clutch. My first thought is throw out bearing. But I would think it would squeal when I depressed the clutch, not in gear with clutch out.

I think my access to the throw out bearing is blocked by my FEL mount. I understand, some of the KAMAs had a small hole drilled in the side of the bearing to allow grease to be squirted in with some sort of needle tip.

Is there any danger of damage to keep letting it squeal or...?

Patrick T

 

[Rich Waugh]

Sounds like the clutch release bearing to me, too. They usually stop squealing when you put a bit of pressure on the release fork, just like you're experiencing. You will have to remove the one loader tower to access the clutch, but I'm not at all sure that will get you to the release bearing. You may have to split the tractor to do that, but I'm not at all sure of that. Rob over at CHINESE TRACTOR WORLD FORUMS - Home has a 454 Kama and has posted a bunch of pictures of his clutch assembly and work he's done on it. I believe he may have posted much of the same here. Search for member name 3RRL and you'll find his stuff.

 

[kevin37b]

The parking brake is off ?

 

[greg_g]

That's likely one or more of the clutch release fingers in physical contact with the rotating throwout bearing. Unless the TOB has already turned blue, you can adjust that out. Here's where I hope my memory holds out, cuz I don't have a KM454 book anymore. Get a second person to help you with this. There should be an inspection port on the right side that should not be blocked by your loader mounts. Open the inspection port, observe the relationship between all three fingers and the bearing face. When in spec, each should have a 2.5mm gap. The fuel shutoff on the governor is within reach of the inspection port. Hold the fuel shutoff in the off position while a helper goes to the front of the engine, that way the engine won't accidentally start when the helper rotates the clutch pack. That's done by putting a large socket on the crank pulley and turning slowly. Have him rotate the engine so you can get a good clear look at all 3 fingers. What you want to see is no flat spots on the fingers, and no blue on the bearing housing. Flat spots and a blue bearing often mean splitting the tractor.

But lets just talk adjustment for now. The adjustment to move the TOB away from the fingers is on the left side (threaded segment of the clutch pull rod). Adjust till there's a 2.5mm gap as seen through the right side inspection port. If at this point all fingers are not equidistant, bring them into tolerance using an open end wrench through the inspection window.

//greg//

 

[Paddy]

Thanks all,

Is this the cover plate to inspect? see attached photo

 

[greg_g]

That's correct. And FYI, that brass colored threaded object at the top right corner of the plate is the tach sensor.

Oh. And while the clutchpack is turning, look also for a pinhole on the side of the TOB housing. You might have to reach in with a tool to rotate the bearing yourself. A hole means its a greasable bearing, one that you should have serviced years ago. If the tractor came with a pointy tipped grease gun, that's what it's for. No hole means it's a sealed bearing; no user lubrication requirement.

//greg//

 

[Paddy]

Thanks Greg. I'll take a look this weekend.

Patrick T

 

[greg_g]

No problem. I see my memory - or at least that part of it - is still working. Reason I mentioned the tach sensor was the rust on the (formerly) white connector. If you start having tach issues, that's the first place I'd look.

//greg//

 

[Paddy]

Greg,

I read through 3RL clutch repair. The finger adjustment is behind the "hidden door". That is to say, behind the FEL mount. While reading his post, he mentioned a grease fitting to a bearing just behind the TOB , towards the back. I have not lubed this for a while so maybe the source of the squeal. It only make noise at high RPMs just moving along.



I'll try lubing the bearing with hopes that might cure it. If not, I'll have to remove the FEL and the fixed portion as well.

Patrick T

 

[greg_g]

OK, I had a 454 with no loader. Told you my memory was going....Guess I adjusted the fingers on my 454 elsewhere. That grease fitting by the way, is not for the bearing. Again memory is a fleeting thing, but I think that's for the bearing carrier. But he also added an extra fitting of his own, so don't get his configuration confused with yours.

If you see a tiny hole in the side of the TOB housing, that's the grease point. No hole means you have a sealed bearing. The bearing carrier might actually need some grease, but it won't stop the "high pitched squeal" you originally described

//greg//

 

[Paddy]

Greg,

3RL did add a zerk fitting to lube the carrier from out side. He used a pc of gease gun flex hose. The zerk I'm talking about is to the left/back in the photo I just posted. There is a small plastic plug covering access on the right side near the inspection cover. It was determined to lube the shaft where it went into the shuttle shift housing.

Patrick T

 

[Affordable]

What happened with the squeal ?

Tommy
Affordable Tractor Sales
"Your Jinma Parts Superstore"
Home of compact Jinma, Foton, and Koyker Tractors and Parts, Wood Chippers, Backhoes - Affordable Tractor Sales Company

 

[Paddy]

Tommy,

I still have the extra gear oil in there after a 2 hour project. At first, the squeal reappeared but soon after went away. Knowing the PTO shaft runs through the drive shaft, I planned to run the PTO at the same time. But as you might have seen in the above thread, my handle has been off for quite some time. So the plan is to get the PTO selector handle welded back on so I can run the PTO. I have only used the PTO once in 160 hrs and that was when I had 10 hrs on her.

At this point it much better. Hopefully, it's not just my wishful thinking. Is it bad to keep running with the extra gear oil?

Patrick T

 

[bluechip]

The grease fitting shown lubes the front transmission input shaft bearing. Seems the sticker warning to lubricate this has been misinterpreted to mean the TOB itself.

 

[greg_g]

Is it bad to keep running with the extra gear oil?

No. But I doubt it was even necessary in the first place. Nor is engaging the PTO when not otherwise in use. Have you actually viewed and appraised the condition of your TOB and release fingers?? I ask, because I've got a feeling that you're avoiding pursuit of any issue that might involve splitting the tractor.

//greg//

 

[Paddy]

Greg,

Definitely spiting the tractor will be the last option. So no I have not viewed through he inspect port because it's covered by FEL mounts. Not only do I have to remove the FEL, but also the mounts. But it looks like that is my next move. The squeal is still hear and there. It does stop if I tap the clutch. So I'm betting you are correct about the finger adjustments. hopefully the parts are in good condition so I won't have to split.

I have split once before and it's not bad, just very time consuming.

Patrick T

 

[greg_g]

I can sympathize with your hesitancy. But what about simply looking thru that port you photographed?. You may not be able to easily adjust thru there, but aren't you the least bit curious as to what you might see under that little plate?

//greg//

 

[Paddy]

Greg,

I am very curious but the plate is hidden behind the FEL mount. The other plate is the flywheel timing marks, so far far away from the clutch fingers. I saw good photos from 3RL's clutch job and the only window to see is under FEL mount. He even complained the window was real small for adjustments.

Looks like I will be removing the FEL and mounts

 

[greg_g]

Perhaps my hands are smaller, or I was using a different type wrench. Because I seemed to have adequate working room to the point where I checked/adjusted my Kama TOB/clutch fingers at least once a year. That said, I had the advantage on that tractor of not having to drop a loader mount. So I guess I must have been thinking of my TaiShan. The clutch inspection port was in a location that suffered no interference from the loader.

//greg//