JD 950 Clutch out (1979)

[TrainsByDeere]

Clutch became too easy to depress and wouldn’t go into gear. With engine off, putting tractor in gear and then depressing clutch pedal and turning key, tractor lurched. I assume clutch is shot. How tough is it to replace? My local shop is $67.50 an hour plus $200 for pick up and drop off. If I have to split the tractor, it’s out of my ability but as a disabled senior and vet with a crazy government driving up the prices of everything, doing it myself may be necessary.

 

[beenthere]

Welcome to TBN

Any friends that could/would give you a hand? Slow and steady, not a terrible task to split the tractor. Getting some support frames gathered together or fabricated can make the work easier as well as safer.
But having more than one brain on the project can be a big help, as well as an extra pair of hands and access to some handy tools.

Have you found any helpful videos on the internet to help with diagnosing the real problem and not plunging in thinking it is the clutch and not something else?

Browse JD parts at this link and see what you are going to tackle.

https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/sidebyside/equipment/80602/referrer/navigation/pgId/212714775

 

[K5lwq]

I would suspect the roll pin sheared that goes through the yoke and shaft. It looks like from the diagram you may be able to get to it without splitting the tractor by removing the top plate just above the clutch shaft. Look at item 3 on the diagram and pin 6 & 7 and you will see how it goes together.

 

[rScotty]

I don't think you have enough information about what is wrong yet. Right now you are testing the clutch pedal mechanism instead of testing the clutch.
I'm a mechancial guy, and there are half a dozen little things I'd want to test and explore before thinking about splitting the engine.
My suggestion is to get an old fashioned mechanic up there - someone who has done some manual clutches - and pay him to take a look at what it needs. All manual clutches are the same.

rScotty

 

[TrainsByDeere]

Clutch became too easy to depress and wouldn’t go into gear. With engine off, putting tractor in gear and then depressing clutch pedal and turning key, tractor lurched. I assume clutch is shot. How tough is it to replace? My local shop is $67.50 an hour plus $200 for pick up and drop off. If I have to split the tractor, it’s out of my ability but as a disabled senior and vet with a crazy government driving up the prices of everything, doing it myself may be necessary.

Cost me 2 weeks and $2500. That sukt.

 

[rScotty]

Cost me 2 weeks and $2500. That sukt.

For a two-stage clutch on a 40 year old tractor? with pickup and delivery? I'd say you did ok.
It depends on how it runs otherwise. That's one of the best Yanmars ever made, even if they did paint it green. There was a matching loader available, and some 950s even came with 4wd and power steering.
rScotty

 

[Tinhack]

$2500 is coffee and snack money around here. You got off easy.

 

[yanmars]

Labor here is not too far off of twice that. I have a Yanmar 336d, similar to the JD850/950

 

[2manyrocks]

Every dealer I've asked in Middle TN lately has been $100 hour labor. The other good news is you were able to get it running again. You won't find another tractor of the same quality as your 950 for $2,500 these days.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Clutch became too easy to depress and wouldn’t go into gear. With engine off, putting tractor in gear and then depressing clutch pedal and turning key, tractor lurched. I assume clutch is shot. How tough is it to replace? My local shop is $67.50 an hour plus $200 for pick up and drop off. If I have to split the tractor, it’s out of my ability but as a disabled senior and vet with a crazy government driving up the prices of everything, doing it myself may be necessary.

Sounds more like your throw out bearing went out. Lot of them older John Deere had a grease fitting so you could grease it. But it has to be split now to change. If it has the two disc clutch, probably still good.