IH 300 utility clutch issue?

atlasracer

New User
I have a 1956 IH 300 utility and when going into 5th gear at times I get nothing then get nothing in all other gears I have to stop tractor start at 1st then all ok possible clutch issue?
 
Could be but need more information. Does tractor have a t/a? If so did tractor stop or power the wheels in slow side of t/a before the problem or now?
 
Could be the clutch is to the point you will be replacing it soon or it could be in the TA or it could be in the shiftier or even something in the transmission it self
 
You have not indicated a history of the failure or how long you have owned the tractor, so the answer I am giving is going
to be longish. I believe it is an issue with the Torque amplifier (TA). You have not indicated a knowledge of the TA. The
TA device is a speed reduction two speed gear, that is in front of the transmission (5 speed) and after the master clutch
(activated by your left foot). The TA has, in it, a one way clutch. This clutch is not a typical friction clutch it
allows motion in only one direction. The gear reduction action causes a cluster of gears to try to turn in the opposite
direction of engine rotation. This one way clutch (Google it, look at images) prevents that motion. If it fails, the gear
carrier will turn opposite the engine rotation and the tractor will go nowhere, as in your case. It is a common failure
and fixable.
The TA also has a small friction based clutch that is used to cause the TA gears to all rotate in the engine direction.
This is direct drive. The TA is operated by a large lever on the left side of the dash. If your tractor does not have
this lever, it may have been removed by the previous owner. If there, but does nothing, or gone, it can add to our
understanding of the problem you describe. That lever, when forward, engages that TA friction clutch, putting the tractor
into direct drive. If that friction clutch has failed, the tractor will be operational in reduction. If that is the case,
the beginning of the failure of the one way clutch will cause your symptoms. Tell us about your TA lever.
To assess your problem put the tractor on a level concrete/paved surface, and shut it off. If you have the TA lever, put it
forward. Put it in 5th gear. Now get off the tractor and push forward on the tractor (top of the rear wheels pushing
forward is easiest). If you can roll it forward, the TA friction clutch has failed. The fact that it slips in 5th
indicates the TA one way clutch has also failed.
TAs are really good devices and worthy of repair. Kevin Meier (who participates on this forum) has parts and complete TA
assemblies for good prices. The repair requires splitting the tractor at the engine tor mid section, and the mid section
to transmission. A double split. Tell us more. Jim
 
Thanks for your reply, a little history of tractor, My father grew up on the farm where he was there the day this was delivered new he later purchased it around 1990 and had a lot done to it engine rebuild and such not sure of clutch, it was his baby. My father passed away and thus it is now my baby. when I got it the TA was in the rearward position engaged? I have been operating in forward position my interpretation of the manual (which I have the original) this is where it should be normally used, still not sure of that. If it is just the TA clutch and not regular clutch looks like I should be ok just have no TA. What your saying makes sense I did hear a "plink" first time this happened and has only done it 2-3 times try not to use fifth. I am a mechanic of almost 30 years so I understand what you are saying and strengthens my thought of the TA being the issue. Thanks again
 
Thanks, tractor has TA just no forward motion(like clutch slipping) until I stopped put it in first and was fine full power and no slippage has done it 2-3 times try not to use 5th but have since and it works ok then. Note I have TA in forward position. Thanks
 
Thanks. The TA is pretty reliable (mine in a 350U is original and has about 10 thousand hours on it). We used it in and out of TA at least 5 times on every round when plowing in our clay fields, and every time starting in 5th. It probably has near equal time in reduction as it has in direct. Keeping it in direct all the time slips the rollers on the race 100% of the time, this can make flat spots on the rollers. Keeping it in reduction wears the TA throwout bearing 100% of the time. slow movement of the lever from direct to reduction, and slow movement of the lever to direct from reduction are the worst practices for the friction clutch. Whipping it into TA reduction with a jerk of the lever, and nearly releasing the lever to slam forward. is clearly best practices as that tactic wears and heats the small TA clutch least.
If you pull the lever back, put it in 5th, throttle up and let up on the clutch quickly, then just as it gets to the point that the governor is mellowing out the speed in TA reduction, snap the lever into direct. If it accellerates cleanly like an automatic trans shifting, that is normal. Jim
 
Unless you can tell if the T/A unit lockup works with no unlocking when lever is back it could be the main clutch or T/A clutch slipping. If T/A unit locks and holds with handle back and tractor stops it would be the main clutch slipping. Unless you know it worked with handle back before it maybe hard to tell. If T/A unit starts slipping a whining sound can usually be heard. If you know the term free play or space between a release bearing and pressure plate fingers? May want to check linkage adjustments to see if you have that at both clutches with lever forward and main clutch engaged.
 
So should I operate that back or forward most of the time my father ran it back but I thought that was in "slip" mode. The tractor is just used now for home use snow removal light driveway work,and is very seldom on the road except goin from driveway to driveway removing snow. Thanks
 
I have checked and adjusted free play in pedal and lever just not sure which way to run the TA and if I don't need it wil it be ok worn out or not working. Thanks
 
Jim have to point out that in normal loaded use of a correct working T/A the pressure plate doesn't turn or the release bearing with lever pulled back.
 
Nope. Just using it is all it takes to keep it happy. The only thing it does not do at all is hold back (engine braking) on
downhill runs. Just leave it in direct when coasting down hills. When pulling tillage tools, it will not coast, so that is
not an issue. Jim
 
Just wanted to say thanks for the info lifted up tractor and did what you said and it does just spin in 5th haven't been using 5th so hopefuly will address issue later and TA makes no difference in either position when operating.
 

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