JD B fly wheel removal

I've never worked on a JD before, but I have a student working on a mid 70's (possibly)JD "B". He is having a lot of trouble removing the fly wheel. Is there some trick I can tell him to try. Any help is welcome.

Thank You!!

That's a good point Wally. What he sees as "bolts on the outside" might just be the hump of metal that is bolted on for the crank ratchet.

If it is the bolts on the outside late-styled flywheel, another way to get it loosened might be to use our old fence post method. Get a large wooden post, and bump the flywheel at several places around the periphery. This should shock it just a bit and if all of the bolts are out, it should come free.

Frank

Since Wally brought it up and coupled with FIT's picture I'm now placing my bets that this is the best odds of his problem and those were "the two bolts on the outside" What a change of perspective Wally brought up. I never would of saw it that way.

I can only hope that young fellow gets online and checks this out.

We'll help him out.

Frank

If it is a "B", it can be no older than 1935 and no newer than 1952. There were two basic designs of flywheels: bolts on the outside ('47 and later) and bolts on the inside ('35 through '46).

For the bolts-on-the-outside- style, remove the large tin (sheet steel) nut form the crankshaft, then remove the two large bolts. You might have to wiggle it a bit to get it let go, but it will come free with a little rocking.

For the bolts-on-the-inside- style, it really helps if you have the special wrench that Deere provided with the tractors when sold new. They are available from used equipment dealers and on eBay very frequently. Short of that, some folks weld the correct size socket to a bar or use an old extension, then heat it with a torch and bend it into the correct contortion. This will relieve the pinch on the flywheel and again you might have to wiggle it a bit to get it let go, but it will come free with a little rocking.

That's about all there is to removing the flywheel. Comeback on what type you have and you might get some more thorough advice.

Frank

You most generally get questions of how to keep them tight ?

Well, he should completely remove the two long bolts from the flanges as well as the large tin nut. Additionally, he might try to put a chisel or two in the slot between the flange shoulders. A little, just a little pressure here might relieve the pressure so as to let the flywheel wriggle off.

Frank