Took all the metal off the front of the tractor very dirty, cleaned all I could and pressure washed the entire engine fuel tank area and all now a clutch will not disengage to move it. I have to crank it in gear. Also noticed the site glass on the side of the transmission looks milky on the right hand side up near the Bell housing there’s an inspection cover, but when it’s running is throwing water at the bottom of that cover. Do not understand how Water got into it. Apparently I’ve got trouble. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Clutch problem
- Thread starter Old Man
- Start date
Russell King
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L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
There is a drain plug on the bottom of the clutch housing. I believe the clutch housing is what you are describing but to be sure it is between your pedals and bells out to the engine block.
The housing is normally dry but can get oil in it from engine and transmission seal leaks. The water can enter through vents or leaking seals on the shifters. Power washing it probably forced water into the housing. Starting the tractor would probably mix the water and oil into a milky fluid mixture.
The water has probably rusted the flywheel to the clutch plate.
First drain the mixture out of the bell housing. Use a pan to collect it to be sure it is mostly water.
Then you can try to get the clutch plate to break free from the flywheel by driving the tractor around but holding the clutch pedal down. You want a slipping force on the clutch plate. You may have to increase the load on the clutch plate by putting the tractor into a pulling (plowing) operation or a pushing operation (front bumper against a very stout tree (but don’t damage the front end of tractor).
The housing is normally dry but can get oil in it from engine and transmission seal leaks. The water can enter through vents or leaking seals on the shifters. Power washing it probably forced water into the housing. Starting the tractor would probably mix the water and oil into a milky fluid mixture.
The water has probably rusted the flywheel to the clutch plate.
First drain the mixture out of the bell housing. Use a pan to collect it to be sure it is mostly water.
Then you can try to get the clutch plate to break free from the flywheel by driving the tractor around but holding the clutch pedal down. You want a slipping force on the clutch plate. You may have to increase the load on the clutch plate by putting the tractor into a pulling (plowing) operation or a pushing operation (front bumper against a very stout tree (but don’t damage the front end of tractor).
Last edited:
North Idaho Wolfman
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
You have 2 different issues going on.
Water in the clutch housing has cause it to rust up the flywheel and pressure plate.
Remove the split pin drain plug(yellow) out of the bottom of the clutch housing and drain water out clean the split pin drain plug and reinstall.
Second, sounds like you have gotten water in the transmission as you say the sight glass (green) is milky.
You will need to pull the drains out (there are mutiple) and drain all the cases and replace the hydraulic fluid.
Might as well clean the hydraulic filter why you have it drained.
Water in the clutch housing has cause it to rust up the flywheel and pressure plate.
Remove the split pin drain plug(yellow) out of the bottom of the clutch housing and drain water out clean the split pin drain plug and reinstall.
Second, sounds like you have gotten water in the transmission as you say the sight glass (green) is milky.
You will need to pull the drains out (there are mutiple) and drain all the cases and replace the hydraulic fluid.
Might as well clean the hydraulic filter why you have it drained.
You've received good information and I might add that you should not DELAY trying to unstick clutch. The caveat is that transmission fluid needs to be cleaned up before putting clutch under stress ass Russell suggested. Go out NOW and tie clutch pedal down in fully depressed position and leave it until you can work on it. Clutch will sometimes come unstuck when this is done. After getting unstuck, I also recommend tying pedal down when not is using tractor until tractor is used enough to buff rust off flywheel and p plate. You should update this thread as you complete this maintenance so that these good folks can guide you in curing water intrusion problems.