is this bad for clutch

   / is this bad for clutch #1  

ugabulldog

Silver Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2010
Messages
125
Location
GA
Tractor
'04 MF 451 diesel shuttle shift w/ MF 1040 loader
When I am in gear and need to stop tractor, and stay stopped for lets say 30 seconds. Is it bad to keep clutch pedal pressed rather than shifting into neutral and letting off clutch then shifting back into gear 30 seconds later? Should clutch only be used for shifting gears instead of example? Thanks
 
   / is this bad for clutch #2  
It'll wear the throwout bearing more. I usually use neutral unless there's a reason to stay in gear. That's in cars and motorcycles. My tractor's an HST. But the same principles apply to any manual transmission.
 
   / is this bad for clutch
  • Thread Starter
#3  
It'll wear the throwout bearing more. I usually use neutral unless there's a reason to stay in gear. That's in cars and motorcycles. My tractor's an HST. But the same principles apply to any manual transmission.

How long would you say is ok? a five seconds for example to allow someone to open a gate, or more/less?
 
   / is this bad for clutch #4  
When I am in gear and need to stop tractor, and stay stopped for lets say 30 seconds. Is it bad to keep clutch pedal pressed rather than shifting into neutral and letting off clutch then shifting back into gear 30 seconds later? Should clutch only be used for shifting gears instead of example? Thanks

It’s not a big deal to hold the clutch in for 30 seconds or so. Usually, any longer than that I pop mine out of gear and let it idle.
 
   / is this bad for clutch #5  
I've been trying to farm for 40 years this September. Over the years I have had about 2 dozen tractors from the Farmall B at something like 16 hp to a JD 4230 100 hp; most all the popular colors but orange. All were used except the Bransons which I bought new. In all those years, all the brand types and sizes, and degrees of age and usage I have had, never have I had to replace a throwout bearing (clutch release bearing) or clutch disc, nor have one fail me...slipping, squealing, etc.

If a short duration I don't have a problem with what you want to do.

I grew up when stick shift was what you had in cars. Only time clutches were a problem back then was when you had a driver that rested his foot on the clutch pedal.....releasing some of the pressure of the pressure plate which allowed the disc to slip slightly while driving along. Even though I was on the Gulf Coast with humidity and salt air, I do not remember a throw out bearing problem from anybody. Practice back then was that when replacement was necessary, clutch disc, pressure plate and throwout bearing were included as a "kit".
 
   / is this bad for clutch
  • Thread Starter
#6  
thanks all, I grew up w/ car clutches as well and know not to "ride" clutch
 
   / is this bad for clutch #7  
Just another thought though. If somebody is in front of you opening the gate it might be safer to throw it into neutral, in the unlikely event that you foot slipped off the clutch. I even put my (AT) pickup in neutral any time that a pedestrian is using the crosswalk in front me.
 
   / is this bad for clutch #8  
When I am in gear and need to stop tractor, and stay stopped for lets say 30 seconds. Is it bad to keep clutch pedal pressed rather than shifting into neutral and letting off clutch then shifting back into gear 30 seconds later? Should clutch only be used for shifting gears instead of example? Thanks
No, the only times that I've replaced a bearing was when I've had to replace a clutch (raising **** in hot rods) and then just because i had it out. I've never had one go bad.
 
   / is this bad for clutch #9  
I think the throwout bearing concern is about 50 years out of date. My guess is the left leg will wear out before the bearing.
 
   / is this bad for clutch #10  
Just another thought though. If somebody is in front of you opening the gate it might be safer to throw it into neutral, in the unlikely event that you foot slipped off the clutch. I even put my (AT) pickup in neutral any time that a pedestrian is using the crosswalk in front me.

Flesh vs FEL Bucket, Flesh never wins. Nuetral is a really good Idea.
 

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