B8200 IMPROPER STORAGE DESTROYS CLUTCH

[ezriderf6c]

The Kubota B8200 has a dry clutch. If you store your b8200 tractor for more than a month and leave the clutch engaged (not depressed), even with the transmission in neutral it will rust your clutch and ruin it. This is not speculation, it comes straight out of the manual. There is a lever that you turn into place after depressing the clutch that will lock the clutch depressed and prevent this from happening.

 

[rbargeron]

Tractor clutches left engaged can become stuck in place - but the great majority break free right away when used.

 

[TheOldHokie]

The Kubota B8200 has a dry clutch. If you store your b8200 tractor for more than a month and leave the clutch engaged (not depressed), even with the transmission in neutral it will rust your clutch and ruin it. This is not speculation, it comes straight out of the manual. There is a lever that you turn into place after depressing the clutch that will lock the clutch depressed and prevent this from happening. View attachment 68794

The sky is not falling. My B7200 has set for months sometimes outside and in 20 years I have had not one stuck disk.

Dan

 

[mcfarmall]

Had this happen on the Farmall C today. I started it up while in first gear, drove it around the yard while pumping the clutch pedal. She broke free in less than 40 feet. I'm parking it with the clutch depressed this winter.

 

[ezriderf6c]

Tractor clutches left engaged can become stuck in place - but the great majority break free right away when used.

I’m quoting the actual b8200 operator manual.

 

[ezriderf6c]

The sky is not falling. My B7200 has set for months sometimes outside and in 20 years I have had not one stuck disk.

Dan

I’m quoting the actual b8200 operator manual.

 

[Lil Foot]

My B7100 has had 3 owners- can't say anything about the 1st owner, but the second & me have never blocked the clutch disengaged for storage, for over 15yrs, with no problems.
But it is probably drier here than most places.

 

[fried1765]

My B7100 has had 3 owners- can't say anything about the 1st owner, but the second & me have never blocked the clutch disengaged for storage, for over 15yrs, with no problems.
But it is probably drier here than most places.

I always store my 3 tractors inside!
I am in a salt air environment.
I always block the clutches.
It is simple to do.
Why not?

 

[GeoHorn]

My M4700 is stored without blocking the clutch. Never a problem. But if your Owners Manual stipulates it…. and the tractors has a provision to assist you……why not do it?
It’s even a matter of SAFETY if you consider someone turning the key to START having forgotten to confirm the tractor is out-of-gear.
But CHOCK your tractor wheels to prevent inadvertent movement.

I’m quoting the actual b8200 operator manual.

Re-reading your OP does not appear to be a “quote”… it appears to be a “paraphrasing”.

 

[ezriderf6c]

My B7100 has had 3 owners- can't say anything about the 1st owner, but the second & me have never blocked the clutch disengaged for storage, for over 15yrs, with no problems.
But it is probably drier here than most places.

humidity would definitely play a part in it. Down here in the south, 57% humidity feels relatively dry.

 

[RCW]

Had this happen on the Farmall C today. I started it up while in first gear, drove it around the yard while pumping the clutch pedal. She broke free in less than 40 feet. I'm parking it with the clutch depressed this winter.

I always store my Minneapolis Moline with the clutch disengaged.

Hand clutch, so pretty easy to do.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

One possible problem with keeping the clutch disengaged, is that,over time, the springs can lose some of there 'springyness' and not have the required force to push the disk against the flywheel.

 

[D2Cat]

Remember the B8200 came out in about 1985. At that time Kubota was getting a good foothold in the compact tractor competition over Yanmar and a few others. Kubota's were very popular in the Far East as machines used in rice patty farming. That was their original use. That is why there is a drain under the bell housing, for water to drip out after the tractor was removed from the patty. The owner's manual was worded for those times and uses.

If you're not using your tractor in a rice patty don't be overly concerned about a rusted clutch to pressure plate problem

 

[Henro]

One possible problem with keeping the clutch disengaged, is that,over time, the springs can lose some of there 'springyness' and not have the required force to push the disk against the flywheel.

This seems to be intuitively possible. But I wonder if this is actually the case.

For example, if something is hung on a spring, if the spring under load was going to lose its strength over time, then the spring should continue to get longer over time. And garage door springs. They are pulling against the weight of the door continuously while the door is down. Seems like garage door springs are changed when they break, not when they stop using their pulling power.

I do not know the answer though. Would love to hear from someone who has good knowledge of springs...Not meaning to say that Greensvillejay is not that person...

 

[Nicksacco]

I wondered too about blocking the clutch and affecting the spring tension/spring life.
Hmmm, I wonder if partially blocking it would make any difference?
Perhaps partially blocked, it would not stick to the plate.
Thoughts?

 

[GeoHorn]

The early Fords had a clutch drain hole (kept clear with a cotter-pin in it that vibrated/jiggled during opertions) instead of the Kubota-method of closing it up with a threaded plug. I think Kubota would have benefitted if they’d considered the same method.

Keeping a clutch disengaged can reduce/adversely affect the pressure-plate finger-springs, as Nicksacco points out. It also places continual pressure upon the throw-out bearing.

 

[D2Cat]

The early Fords had a clutch drain hole (kept clear with a cotter-pin in it that vibrated/jiggled during opertions) instead of the Kubota-method of closing it up with a threaded plug. I think Kubota would have benefitted if they’d considered the same method.

Keeping a clutch disengaged can reduce/adversely affect the pressure-plate finger-springs, as Nicksacco points out. It also places continual pressure upon the throw-out bearing.

Kubota did use the same method early on.

 

[fried1765]

One possible problem with keeping the clutch disengaged, is that,over time, the springs can lose some of there 'springyness' and not have the required force to push the disk against the flywheel.

I have always wondered about that.

 

[twomany]

Only crappy springs take a set when loaded for extended time, and crappy springs take a set even when unloaded. Clutch springs are not crappy springs, those clutch guys KNOW what they are doing.

With that, I parked a 1941 Dodge ton and a half, on a wet spot in the yard some years ago.

The clutch plate "bonded" to the flywheel after about two years inattention.
Dang what a job, crawled under there. split the trans, held it up with 2X4s. Replaced the clutch and throwout. Must have taken three or four hours ;-)

 

[Nicksacco]

Here's a video of Neil Messick talking about shipping and other things.
At about 2:12 he's talking about clutch plates.
So the question that popped into my head (since I never purchased a new tractor) is; " Do the dealers leave the clutches blocked until the tractor is prepped?" This is rhetorical of course, unless anyone knows.
sheeesh, more info. I suppose I could hypothesize more about this until the cows come home but will spare you!