M5-111 12F/12R Hyd Clutch Problem

[KyGrazier]

Hello All, I have a '15 M5-111 with only 440 hrs and the hyd clutch is slipping - will not engage. All other hydraulics work on the tractor (loader, steering, rams, etc).

No error messages. No unusual sounds, other than a click noise from the right hyd lever console I now notice when the shuttle shift is engaged either F or R.

Earlier today I was bush hogging and barely made it home as it got to the point it wouldn't pull its own weight. It seems to engage more when you cold start it now - better in Low, and non-existent in High.

Anyone else have this trouble?

Thanks.

 

[Bulldog]

With that many hrs the hyd system should have been serviced twice. What kind of fluid and filters did you use?

 

[KyGrazier]

Bulldog, OEM fluid and filters. Thx

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Did you notice any variation as the PTO was running?
I have heard and seen the damper disk splines strip out of them and cause the same symptoms as a failing clutch.

 

[KyGrazier]

No PTO variation that I could tell as it never bogged down while cutting heavy grass at times.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The Chances of the hydraulic clutch being damaged are very very low.

Is it having the same issues forward and reverse?
It might be hard to tell as the gear ratio vary greatly forward to reverse.

If it slow or doggy in reverse, is it's very likely not the clutch pack itself since forward and reverse use different packs.

I would get the WSM and check on the shuttle / clutch valve testing, it's an external part and could save you a whole ton of $$ if that is the issue.

WSM P/N 9Y111-12850

 

[KyGrazier]

Thanks Wolfman,

Yes, yesterday it would not engage in F or R.

I had driven about 3 miles at 20mph pulling a 15" Bush Hog 2615, then mowed about 1.5A of high, dense grass/weeds in a small lot requiring much shuttling, in 90 degree heat. for about 30min. The issue started on my way back home, and no pull upon arriving home.

It sat all day and I moved it a minute ago. It seemed slow to engage (normally jerks a bit more), but engaged seemingly fine in F/R. I have only had it for roughly 50 hrs, out of 440, so if yesterday hadn't happened, I may have thought it was normal. Nothing attached, so no weight to burden.

I can only hope you are correct and the fix doesn't involve splitting it.

Thanks again for your help.