L35 clutch slipping?

[macraedj]

Hello, I have a question on my L35. Last time I used the tractor I was working with the rpm's around 2000 and toward the end of the day I couldn't even spin the tires on ice while pushing a load. Even when not pushing a load I'd be at a dead stop and put it into 4th and the tractor would just barely start to go. What would this be? I know next to nothing about tractors. I did check all the oil levels and they were fine, no noise or smells. The lower gears were slightly more snappy, but still didn't seem to be catching like they used to. All hydrauliccs seem fine, ie backhoe still works and loader works.

tractor is a 2003 or 01 not sure, its a GST and has a backhoe.

thanks

 

[crashz]

It sounds clutch related, but that doesn't mean that the clutch is toast. I could be an adjustment as it wears. I'd try to contact a reputable dealer and check the owners & service manuals for more info.

BTW- if it is slipping, the more it slips the more heat is generated which can warp the flywheel.

 

[macraedj]

Thanks for the reply, I contacted a local tractor dealer/shop and they quoted me 3 grand to fix the clutch, ouch. They said about half labor and half parts. So I checked online at Keller Kubota and the cost of all the parts was somewhere around 450 bucks. That's if the flywheel isn't messed up, but still a whole lot cheaper than 1500. So if I decide to do it myself I could save around 2500 dollars, just wish I knew a thing or two about mechanicing, which I certainly don't.

 

[elad]

If I were you, I would take CRASHZ's advice before buying any new parts
or spending money on guessing what the problem might be. Don't sound
serious to me----yet. Good Luck
elad

 

[macraedj]

Does anyone know where I can buy a l35 shop manual for less than $190? I'm going to replace the clutch with a friend who knows about this sort of thing, but a manual might still come in handy. thanks

 

[arrow]

Mac, if indeed it is the clutch gone bad and not just an adjustment, the Kubota may be like my JD 750. You'll have to split the tractor in half to separate clutch from engine housing. Quite a daunting task for a self desribed non mechanic. If your place is getting $70 bucks an hour, that means its taking them 21 hours or three work days to do this job so I'm thinking the Kubota needs to be split in half as well. They very well may be adding a flywheel and fluids and filters and sealant and hazardous disposal fees and pick-up and delivery and somehow getting to another $1500. I did mine and it took me 2 weeks (65-75 hrs) to their 3 days. Granted , I was alone but never again , just don't have the patience and I've worked on race engines. (way easier). Your best bet may be to get another quote. Take a look at the shop manual, it may change your mind about doing it.

 

[powerstroke444e]

you would want to check to make sure it is the Main dry clutch not one of the GST clutches. As I have had to put the hydraulic clutches in an old L3300 GST which is the same machine as yours but yours has more stuff like extra frame for the backhoe in the way.
If you take the drain plug out of the bottom of the clutch housing & it smells burned you have bad main clutch if not ???? you may want to have a dealer check the pressure on the hydraulic clutches on the GST.
Just wanting to save you a little time.
How many hrs on your machine???

 

[PitbullMidwest]

Does anyone know where I can buy a l35 shop manual for less than $190? I'm going to replace the clutch with a friend who knows about this sort of thing, but a manual might still come in handy. thanks

ebay Buy It Now price: $82.50 KUBOTA L35 TL720 BT900 SERVICE MANUAL - WE HAVE OTHERS - eBay (item 150219797749 end time Mar-26-08 12:42:06 PDT)

They also have the parts manual as an eBook (.pdf) for $15.00.

Please keep us update on what you find out.

 

[Yankee Clipper]

If I were you, I would load it and take it to a Kubota dealer. Have them check the pressures on the transmission's pilot circuit and also on the GST clutch before you do anyhting else. Otherwise you are wasting time and money.

The GST clutch is a wet clutch that engages / disengages every time you move the handle.

If the GST is OK, then I would start thinking about the dry clutch in the bellhousing.

Good luck!