TO 30 FLywheel Stuck?

Gilley · May 13, 2015

My TO 30, '53, was stored outside this past winter. My problem sounds similar to another post. I couldn't shift it into gear after starting. It would just grind gears. With a friend, we guessed the clutch plate and fly wheel were stuck together. So we pulled it with his '56 dozer and chain, with the clutch held in. Eventually it freed so I could shift. I used it a little bit for a day, but several days later the same thing happened again, and this time no amount of pushing and pulling will free the clutch plate. What suggestions can you give me to free it?

phil(va) · May 13, 2015

Get it to an open space by pulling out of gear with the truck. Jump around the safety switch and try to start it in gear
facing an open field. Try running it around the field in the highest gear you are comfortable with, while pumping the
clutch. Keep your hand close to the ignition key in case you need to stop quickly. You may also be able to remove a
couple of bolts and remove the plate under the flywheel and see up in there. There may be a mouse nest keeping it wet
inside. Dry it out, perhaps with a hair dryer, etc. If you get it free, leave the clutch blocked down. A wedged brick
is what I use on one of my tractors that is prone to this situation. Some advocate starting in gear and running it into
a tree pumping the clutch. I wouldn't do that myself, but if you have the guts for that, it might work. If all else
fails, I guess you know you will have to split it.

Gilley · May 14, 2015

Thanks Phil. Will give that a shot, although still pondering the tree slamming...Will let you know how things go.

Bruce(OR) · May 14, 2015

Start it in gear. Foot on clutch. Step on brake pedal. If the brakes are good the clutch should free up.
If brakes are shot, local tree is available. Not advised. New clutch made from kevlar will prevent freezing in
the future. Wife's '20 works great. Never ever stuck.

Gilley · May 15, 2015

Thanks for offering help, Bruce. The problem with starting it in gear is that the gear shifting lever is used to start the tractor in this model. We are thinking of temporarily rewiring the starter so we can start it w/o using the shifting lever, then doing as you suggest. Also, another tractor guy suggested putting a heavy weight on the pedal or using a piece of 2x4 propped against the the clutch pedal to keep it disengaged for several days. He thought it should free itself doing that. I am trying that but the jury is still out. But definitely will do that between uses and over the winter from now on once I get it freed.

Bruce(OR) · May 15, 2015

Since your using the shifter to start it with, get a set of jumper cables. Set in the seat, connect the cables
and get it started in gear. You can get a helper to carry the cables next to you while trying to un-stick the
clutch or pull the cables off when you get it going.

TO 30 FLywheel Stuck?

Gilley

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phil(va)

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Gilley

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Bruce(OR)

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Gilley

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