John Deere Clutch Pedal Stuck

How can one unstick the clutch pedal on a 1956 John Deere 420?

What model 420?

Been a lot of discussion on that. Only remember one time my brother had one on a NG JD stick. If I remember correctly, we tugged it a little with another tractor and it popped loose. I have a JD 420 2-cyl that sits a lot but have never had a problem.

Is it the clutch pedal or the clutch that is stuck? The poster said the pedal is stuck. My thoughts are:

If the pedal won't move it is likely the shaft rusted stuck in the housing or the throwout collar is seized. The model wasn't specified. On crawlers the brake shaft is inside the clutch shaft and those seize to each other at times. I don't think a tug will help that condition.

If the pedal moves but the clutch doesn't disengage it is likely the clutch disc stuck on the splines. A tug or other shock might free a stuck disc.

My 420w did the same thing. Hooked a
chain to a tree, started it in 1st
gear and pushed in the clutch pedal.
Took about 20 seconds and it finally
released. Just be ready to hit the
ignition switch if the front end
starts coming up

(quoted from post at 06:01:37 02/21/19) My 420w did the same thing. Hooked a
chain to a tree, started it in 1st
gear and pushed in the clutch pedal.
Took about 20 seconds and it finally
released. Just be ready to hit the
ignition switch if the front end
starts coming up

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It is the pedal that is stuck. I can start the engine but can't get it in gear with the engine running. I can move the gear shift easily with the engine off. I took it to a retired John Deere mechanic as I didn't want to break something. When he gets to it, I will write what happened. Thanks to all who responded.

Timely post. I recently split my 1958 420W to change some gaskets and seals on front of transmission. Now that I have it back together I am having the same issue I think. By removing the little cover on the side of the tunnel I can see the clutch pedal moving the throw out yoke far enough to move the throw out bearing. I can also see the finger on the pressure plate being moved my the bearing, but I have the same issue. The clutch will not stop the power shaft from turning so that I can shift it into gear. I would be interested in what you find out or any other suggestions.

(quoted from post at 16:45:38 02/28/19) Timely post. I recently split my 1958 420W to change some gaskets and seals on front of transmission. Now that I have it back together I am having the same issue I think. By removing the little cover on the side of the tunnel I can see the clutch pedal moving the throw out yoke far enough to move the throw out bearing. I can also see the finger on the pressure plate being moved my the bearing, but I have the same issue. The clutch will not stop the power shaft from turning so that I can shift it into gear. I would be interested in what you find out or any other suggestions.

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The tractor is at the mechanic's place now but he has another John Deere and a grader ahead of my job, but when he tackles it, I will let you know.

(quoted from post at 19:45:38 02/28/19) Timely post. I recently split my 1958 420W to change some gaskets and seals on front of transmission. Now that I have it back together I am having the same issue I think. By removing the little cover on the side of the tunnel I can see the clutch pedal moving the throw out yoke far enough to move the throw out bearing. I can also see the finger on the pressure plate being moved my the bearing, but I have the same issue. The clutch will not stop the power shaft from turning so that I can shift it into gear. I would be interested in what you find out or any other suggestions.

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AJ Chickenwealth,

Larry Kastens said his pedal doesn't move. That doesn't sound the same as the problem you described in your post. From your post I take it your clutch worked prior to splitting the tractor, as you don't say you split it because the clutch didn't release. If it worked before you split it; it should now. You didn't say which PTO, it has continuous running or not, they are different clutches.


You said your pedal moves, how far does it travel? Did the clutch work before you split the tractor? Do you have the same pedal stroke as before you split your tractor? Have you tried adjusting the pedal free play if it is not to spec? Did you have the clutch apart when you split it? How hard did it go back together? Did you have to pull it together with the bolts?


A few possibilities come to mind. The clutch or pilot bearing got jammed putting it together. If you worked on the clutch it self, the clutch is not assembled correctly. Something you had to take apart is not assembled or adjusted correctly. Some clutches require setting the pressure plate finger height when initially installed, continuous running clutches may require even more adjustments during assembly.

The clutch disk plate was rusted to the flywheel. The tractor had to be split. The clutch linkage was also rusted and a torch was used to unstick it. The mechanic said that it would be a good idea to wire the clutch pedal down if one is to leave the tractor for a long time. Thanks to all who responded.

(quoted from post at 06:35:25 02/18/19) What model 420?

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It is a full size 420 with a loader and wide front end.