Hand clutch on 49 WD Wont lock back

Adjust it. Remove the battery box and the cover underneath it. The hand clutch has three sets of slotted shims spaced around its circumference. If the shims are gone there is no more adjustment, and a split is in order to renew clutch discs. If shims are present, loosen, DO NOT REMOVE, each pair of bolts at the shims. Shims, being slotted, can be removed by pulling out. Remove the same number of shims at each location, tighten down, and see if the lever snaps when pulled back. If not, repeat procedure.
 
While you have it apart remove the large snap ring and rotate the pressure washer so that the rollers that engage the clutch are riding on a fresh track and give you a good solid snap.
 
I see what I would call clutch plates, held in place by 2 screws at each point.

While it was off, It would lock in place 10 times straight. While it was running it wouldn't lock in once.
 
There are 2 black discs, and 2 metal/brass/bronze looking discs, with none of them having a slot that you could take any of them out from the clutch case.
 
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Now, JMS, In Stus pic, I don't see any slotted shims??

Stu, Now that you have it taken apart, tell me what im to do with it lol. Which what do I do to get the hand clutch to lock back?
 

The shims are pictured in the top diagram to the left of the pressure washer. They can be so pressed together that they seem solid, but they do peel apart as very thin shims. Take the same number out of each of three locations. If there are no shims left, the clutch linings are worn out.
The advice about rotating the plates is sound, but I never did that without removing the clutch from the tractor and that is a big job. You probably can do it with the clutch still in place, but I don't like removing any more parts over those oil chambers than I have to.
Do you understand how to measure the total clearance of the plates of 0.065" with a 1/16" drill bit or a similar Allen key?
 
I took out the thinnest shims leaving the thickest. It snaps now, but I havnt tried it running yet. I have a 1 16th drill bit, where do I stick it lol.
 
Well I belted up the H to the WD again, and ran it wide open with the plugs out for 10 mins. I left the gas on in the hopes it might cut the oil somewhat on its way out.
I pulled the hand clutch back. It pulled back harder, but it wouldn't lock in.

Between any 2 discs I can separate, with a screw driver wedged in as the separator??
 
If you need a little help, I guess it will do no harm. I don't recall that I needed a wdge.
If the handle is getting firmer, you must be going in the right direction.
There are little springs in there that are supposed to help push the plates apart when the clutch is not closed.

Pics courtesy of Tom MN. His WD45 has the extra discs.

http://home.comcast.net/~old_allis/ac-wd45d-clutch.html
 
I don't know if ill need help or not. Ill try that tomorrow, BUT, What about it not locking back when it was running, even tho it pulled harder?
 
I guess that if you had slop at the pivot pin or lever link pins, you would have mentioned it. Sounds like you may have internal problems with the shifter & bushing. They are shown in the earlier diagram.
If you can't fix it by adjusting to the proper plate gap, then it is time to pull the clutch out. You do that by unbolting the side frames and separating the transmission from the torque housing.
You probably don't want to do that unless all else fails.
A bad hand clutch was a reason that a lot of WD's got parked. But it's not that bad of a job with a modern rolling floor jack.
 
Rotating the pressure washer is an easy job to do without splitting the tractor. Both of my WD's have them rotated because even with new clutch discs installed the clutches wouldn't stay "snapped" in. Spinning that pressure washer so that the little rollers roll on fresh metal over the contour to get the snap is all it takes.
 
Gotter Cotter. Had fun getting ring off AND getting it back on again. Wish SOMEONE said to bolt back the plates between the shims BEFORE trying to put the ring on, but I got it fingered out. Gotta wait till next Wed when I go to town after getting my SS check to buy new plugs, then well see what she does, UNLESS I just cant wait, and belt her back up again to see what the clutch does.
I rotated the plate from a position behind the bolts to a position between the bolts.
 

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