Kind of proved my point about dealers having no clue about that clutch, There is no throw out bearing!
Before you toss $2k away in the wind, ask the dealer for a Print out showing the " throw out bearing" he's going to "replace"!
I ended up going to the closest Kubota dealer to work on it. Not really any other options nearby and independent guys were booked out close to two months.
Ended up spending about $2100 bucks. Here's what they said they found and did regarding the clutch:
Removed clutch, found that the clutch throwout bearing collar had somehow turned and the clutch fork could no longer pull the collar back. Checked condition of the clutch plates, they were in good shape. Installed clutch and clutch cover with new seals. Assembled unit, tried adjusting clutch freeplay could not get it to adjust right. Checked linkage, found quite a bit of play. New linkage parts and clutch lever parts are no longer available from Kubota. Removed linkage and repaired as needed. Adjusted clutch free play.
I have no idea what they mean by the throwout bearing collar had somehow turned? This thread has said there isn't even a throwout bearing! I believe the guys working on it didn't have a clue about everclutches.
When I got the tractor back, the clutch is again working. There's a new problem though. When the clutch is out/engaged (pedal not pushed down) there is a very loud vibration noise coming from the internal clutch or clutch plate area. That noise was not happening before it was worked on. The noise happens when everything is in neutral (gears, shuttle and slow / fast lever) The noise goes away once the clutch is pushed in approximately a third of the way or the engine rpm's are bumped up some. However in neutral and idling its loud. Obviously something is loose or vibrating or possible metal on metal ? It shouldn't be making any noise of that nature while just idling. Something clearly is not right.
I'm guessing something is loose or wasn't reassembled correctly. I have driven it around and done some loader work with the tractor. The clutch is working fine and I don't hear the noise while running it for the most part. I attribute that to being at higher RPM's. That noise will occasionally happen when I'm running the tractor in gear if I'm not giving it any gas.
Does anyone have any thoughts or theories on this?