Clutch Job on L-175

buffumjr

Member

Equipment
L175
Mar 30, 2019
70
1
8
Orange City, FL USA
My clutch won't disengage. I tried adjusting it, but it didn't help.

If I split the case, and replace the clutch, here are the prices.

Aftermarket - $150 +-
Genuine Kubota $360

I have a Bridgeport surface grinder, so I can reface the flywheel.

1. Do I need to do this? Or is there a way to unstick the clutch?

2. Are aftermarket parts good enough?

3. How can I prevent this in future?
 

Fordtech86

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3200
Aug 7, 2018
4,780
5,609
113
Pineville,LA
Find a big tree or other immovable object and run into it with clutch depressed. And to prevent it when you park it block the clutch down so it’s released. Not sure if your model has the pin on the clutch pedal to lock it down. 2x4 works too.

This gets brought up fairly often on here.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
28,609
5,069
113
Sandpoint, ID
My clutch won't disengage. I tried adjusting it, but it didn't help.

If I split the case, and replace the clutch, here are the prices.

Aftermarket - $150 +-
Genuine Kubota $360

I have a Bridgeport surface grinder, so I can reface the flywheel.

1. Do I need to do this? Or is there a way to unstick the clutch?

2. Are aftermarket parts good enough?

3. How can I prevent this in future?
DO NOT resurface the flywheel, even taking the smallest of amount off the flywheel can make them not work properly.

I tell people that split them for a stuck clutch just take a 220 Grit paper on a sander and give it a quick buff that's it.

If you have something to run off the PTO, you can also use that hard while stepping on the clutch pedal to help break it free.

In the future block the clutch pedal down when your not using it. ;)
 

buffumjr

Member

Equipment
L175
Mar 30, 2019
70
1
8
Orange City, FL USA
I'll go use a ratchet strap right now. If t fails, I';ll split.

Yes, I can see how parking it with the clutch pedal in would help.

What makes it stick?
 

SidecarFlip

Banned

Equipment
M9000HDCC3, M9000HD, Kubota GS850 Sidekick
Oct 28, 2018
7,197
546
83
USA
The plates drive and clutch disc rust together.
 

SidecarFlip

Banned

Equipment
M9000HDCC3, M9000HD, Kubota GS850 Sidekick
Oct 28, 2018
7,197
546
83
USA
Being a retired T&D maker and owning my own short run machine and fabrication shop (we do short run automotive related machining), I've never heard of a 'Bridgeport' surface grinder. I'm curious, could you post a picture of yours?

Never want to reface ANY flywheel with a linear grinder. You always use a vertical grinder with a rotating table.
 

buffumjr

Member

Equipment
L175
Mar 30, 2019
70
1
8
Orange City, FL USA
Well, I split the tractor. My first. Wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

Clutch disk in good shape, but was stuck on flywheel. I had to unstick it with a screwdriver.

Both the flywheel and pressure plate were very rusty. I used a flap disk on an angle grinder to clean them. Next time, I'll strongly consider replacement.

I have the throwout bearing on order. As soon as it arrives, I'll put everything back together, and start on the ROPS. After the ROPS comes the loader.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
28,609
5,069
113
Sandpoint, ID
Well, I split the tractor. My first. Wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

Clutch disk in good shape, but was stuck on flywheel. I had to unstick it with a screwdriver.

Both the flywheel and pressure plate were very rusty. I used a flap disk on an angle grinder to clean them. Next time, I'll strongly consider replacement.

I have the throwout bearing on order. As soon as it arrives, I'll put everything back together, and start on the ROPS. After the ROPS comes the loader.
Check and replace if needed the pilot bushing while your in there. ;)
 

buffumjr

Member

Equipment
L175
Mar 30, 2019
70
1
8
Orange City, FL USA
The job is done. The only part I replaced was the throwout bearing. It wasn't bad, but it's a long standing habit of mine.

This L-175 did NOT have a pilot bushing. There was a dimple in the crank that the nose of the input shaft fit into. It wasn't even a tight fit. Odd there was no pilot bushing or pilot shaft.

I made a clutch alignment tool out of aluminum. ID of the clutch disk splines, and the ID of an unused hole in the crank.

The job was a bit hard on me. 100 degrees, and I'm 71. Hope I don't have to do it again. Will run it every few days to prevent that.