Clutch Free Play Update

About a week ago I posted a thread about clutch free play on my 300 utility. So I finally made it up to where the tractor is located. Pulled the bottom access plate off to look at the throw out lever and the gap between the throw out bearing and the fingers on the pressure plate. One of the fingers has about a 1/8 inch gap and the other 2 have about a 1/2 inch gap. So basically it doesn't move those last 2 fingers until the clutch pedal is just about bottomed out. Can those fingers be adjusted, and if so without splitting the tractor again?

They may be adjustable,but I would never bother trying.Your pressure plate has failed and needs replaced.You need to split it.A 300u is not bad to split-I can't remember if you need to drain the hydraulic reservoir,but it is fairly easy.If you split it and have questions,just post back.Mark.

on a farmall cub, yes you can do it. it takes a bit of time , but it is do able on the cub.

So I had a guy put in a new clutch, I guess to him that just meant a new disc and pilot bearing. What I am trying to figure out, is it likely that the only fix would be new pressure plate? Just wanting to verify that there isn't an easier fix.

No really easy fix other than a new P/plate. the pivots wear unevenly and adjusting them with the finger tip screws might work for a few monts, but is not the answer. The person who decided the P/plate was good failed to actually apply pressure to the fingers and (I think) has some responsibility for the resplit labor. Your money did not get a repair. Jim

That is what I was thinking of suggesting, I pay for the new parts but the labor is on him. It is just the time of year when I wanted to get some use out of it. Thanks guys.

To do the job correctly not only just stuffen parts to it but to have the flywheel refaced and the step hight set . There is a specific measurement from the face to where the pressure plate bolts up . If this is not done then then finger hight is off and clutch function will not work as designed and proper loading of the clutch disc will not be met . YOu may now have pieces and parts bound up in the pressure plate or some of the disc lining coming off the disc and this is causing the odd finger settings . Doing a clutch job on a utility can be some what a pain and yes you will have to break the hyd. lines to split . Ya don't need a bunch of special equipment to do it . Some good wood blocking and a three ton floor jack and a decent set of standard hand tools . Block the engine remove the steering arms unhook hyd lines remove the fuel tank unhook the wire and lable them as to where they came off of place the floor jack under the belly AWAY from the bottom access inspection cover , remove the bolts holding the tractor together ans wiggle and lightly pry it apart giving you a couple feet to work in remove the pressure plate watching how it is coming off as i have had more then one come apart on me . Once the clutch and pressure plate is off then to remove the flywheel you will have to hold the flywheel from turning to break the bolts loose or use and impact , keep in mind that it is HEAY and CAN BE VARY SHARP around the ring gear (USE GLOVES TO HANDLE ) . Also if the ring gear is showing signs of bad teeth then this is the time to replace it . When going back together torque the flywheel bolts to spec. Then HANG the pressure plate on the PTO INPUT SHAFT then HANG the disc on the transmission shaft install the pilot bearing in the flywheel . I should have said BEFORE you HANG the clutch you replace the throw out bearing then hang the clutch the SLIDE the tractor together and you work up thru the inspection hole to bolt the pressure plate to the flywheel and remove the shipping bolts and OR blocks that hold the fingers in the down possession . This is done after ya have all the bolts back in holding the engine to the bellhousing. Then ya make your outside adjustments and go have fun.

make sure the pressure plate is not hung up on the lip around the edge of the flywheel. If the flywheel has been resurfaced the machinist may not have machined the upper surface our far enough and the pressure plate will not seat properly.