MF 65 clutch issue?

[fosterchild420]

I have a 1964 model 65 high crop tricycle. After setting out a roll of hay, it felt like a lot of drag. I stopped in my driveway and tried to back off to the side. The tractor felt like I had a brake stuck. Being it was below freezing, I didn't think a lot of it. When I put in neutral, released the clutch, it stalled. I pushed the clutch in and restarted it. Both shifters are in neutral, multi power is in high (stuck in high never has worked), you can release the clutch halfway no issues. Upon full release, there is such a load that it stalls the engine almost out. I left it for that night and came back later when it had been above freezing a few days. Same issue present. I thought maybe stuck in two gears. I opened the fill hole and checked that everything is moving correctly in and out of gear. It appeared all was right. With engine running, you can't release the clutch fully without stalling the engine down. The tractor will move about 3 feet in either direction before it feels like the something tightens up. With the engine shut off, transmission in neutral, I can freely roll the tractor forward and backwards. So I don't think there is an issue with a stuck brake.

Anyone got any ideas or a direction for me to start working?

 

[PatrickS2222]

This doesn't sound like it will be an easy fix. Nevertheless, it certainly is quite repairable - just a lot of heavy work. What condition is the oil, and how full is it?
First thought is a collapsed (or seizing) bearing in the gearbox input shaft or counter-shaft area ... certainly something that turns when idling in neutral. It rolls easily in neutral, so it isn't in the gearbox main-shaft or rear end.
The "moves about three feet in either direction" bit puzzles me. It might sound pointless, but maybe trying to roll the tractor with a gear selected, while someone holds the clutch down, to see if the same drag is evident. This would also turn the same section of the gearbox, but using the rear wheels instead of the engine.
I renewed the bearings in a very similar gearbox for a MF35 a couple years ago, and can picture exactly what is involved ... and how brutally strong everything is! It isn't difficult to understand why nothing seems to wear out for decades!
Keep us posted!