John Deere B Clutch

Bryce Frazier · Apr 22, 2013

Hi guys it's Bryce. I just finished restoring my 1947 John Deere B, it is still an early styled all fuel with electric start and a 6 speed trans. I fired it up for the first time and tried to move it out of the shop, I put it in 1st gear and slowly eased into it, everything work fine, until I decided to stop.... I couldn't get the clutch to dis-engage!?!?! So I was able to pop it out of gear and let it die, but now that it isn't running the clutch works fine again? Any thoughts on how to fix this? A couple of people I know said to loosen the three adjusting screws 1/4 turn and try again? The pressure is on because our local plow day is this Sunday!!!! Let me know what you think! Thanks, Bryce

retired farmer · Apr 22, 2013

I assume you had the clutch apart and put it back together properly. The one I had used three nuts with cotter pins. If you have access to a spring scale that reads at least a hundred pounds, what you want to do is tighten each nut a quarter turn at a time evenly, till it takes about seventy pounds of pull on the end of the lever to get the clutch to pop in. If you don't have a scale, then, moderately strong force. At least that is what I remember from fourty years ago.

RandyB(MI) · Apr 22, 2013

In order to make sure the adj plate is perfectly parrallel to the driver it works best to tighten all three all the way until just tight. Then back them off 1/4 turn at a time until you can release and snap it in. Then keep on going until you cant get a snap anymore and then start back in until it requires about a 5-10 lb push to snap it in and back out. It only needs enough to over center the dogs. Now it is not only adjusted right to snap but also parrallel to the driver so no grabbing. After initial tightening , everything is done 1/4 turn at a time. Don't worry if the keyway is a hair off at the end, it won't be over a 1/16th of a turn to get it in.
Also a nice little trick to really smooth out engagement is to install a stiff spring washer on each stud before the nut.

Bryce Frazier · Apr 22, 2013

Cool, thanks! I will go out and try this now and see what happens! One more question though, is this supposed be done with the tractor running, or with out the tractor running, but with the clutch engaged? Thanks, Bryce

Leroy · Apr 22, 2013

First go into the clutch and check out thos 3 bolts and made sure they are in perfect condition, if there is just enough wear to feel a catch with your thumb nail then that is your problem, might be able to turn them a half turn to get a smooth side where the notch is or for a temperary fix take a file and smooth that notch out so it is as slick as glass. Only after checking this go into the adjusting like the others talk about. If you have just one bolt with a catch in it you will not stop untill something bad happens. Our tractory had battery and distributator with an ignition switch so we were just able to turn the key and shut the engine off. After trying for a couple of days finly pulled clutch apart and that is what we found. Replaced bolts and no more problems.

RandyB(MI) · Apr 22, 2013

not running / not engaged as a start point.

Bryce Frazier · Apr 22, 2013

Thanks, good to know! I just tried to adjust it, but now the clutch is stuck in dis-engaged.. I will try that! Thanks, Bryce

Patsdeere · Apr 22, 2013

If everything looks ok inside, here is how I do the adjustment. First I take the 3 nuts off and then just get them started. Second, I engage the clutch. third I turn the nuts and equal number of times. Fourth, once they get sort of tight I disengage the clutch, should make a popping noise. The crisper the better. If it isn't real crisp I put it back in and do another quarter turn. When the noise is crisp and feels good I pin it up and am done. Done it on multiple ones and they seem to be happy.

Bryce Frazier · Apr 23, 2013

I just stumbled upon something interesting. I was trying to adjust it to no avail, so I decided to remove the entire unit and begin tearing it apart. First thing I did was try to remove the clutch fork housing, I pulled the four bolts, and it didn't budge? I aggressively wiggled it around, then it broke loose and popped out, now the clutch works again!!!! SO, I re installed the fork and adjusted it, and now everything seems to be in order and working right, however I have not had the tractor running yet to test it! If this doesn't fix it, my dad thinks that the linkage from the handle might be adjusted wrong, to where it applies the brake, before disengaging the clutch. Is this possible? Thanks for the info guys, you are all always a HUGE help! Thanks again, Bryce

Bryce Frazier · Apr 23, 2013

Well, I got the tractor all fixed, and took it for its first drive. WHAT was the problem you ask? I realized last minute that the pulley brake barley even touched the drum with the lever all the way back, SO I correctly adjusted it and now it works great!! Thanks for your help guys! Bryce

John Deere B Clutch

Bryce Frazier

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retired farmer

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RandyB(MI)

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Bryce Frazier

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Leroy

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RandyB(MI)

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Bryce Frazier

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Patsdeere

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Bryce Frazier

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Bryce Frazier

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