3 Clutches in 650 hours?

rwakefield

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Jul 20, 2012
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Sydney
i have a 1999 85hp Kubota that has had 3 clutches replaced, machined plate last time in just 650 hours. no we never slip the clutch, and the work is not heavy duty.
there must be some common possible cause? what can I consdier?
 

gpreuss

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L3200DT w/FEL, K650 Backhoe, 5' Rotary, 40" Howard Rotavator, 6' Rhino blade
Oct 9, 2011
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What model is it? 2wd or 4wd? If 4wd, do you usually leave it in 4wd? Original tires, or new and maybe different than the brochure? After three clutches, I'm sure you have it right, but can it possibly be the linkage? Is it a wet clutch, or dry? Have enough fluid - after three disassemblies, you must?!
 

birddogger

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May 29, 2011
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The only guess I can come up with is someone is riding the clutch. The foot must come fully off the pedal once rolling.
Check the clutch free-play adjustment often.
 

GWD

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Jan 8, 2010
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Operating a large tractor with a FEL will increase wear on the clutch exponentially. The constant engage/disengage will cause wear, especially if the tractor has a dry shuttle shift that is used without allowing the tractor to come to a stop. Reversing direction on the move will cause a lot of friction and stress on the clutch disk and flywheel. Having to have the flywheel trued (ground) is an indication of excessive wear.

Sounds like your dealer is trying to eliminate the possibilities of the clutch problem. A out of true flywheel might be one possibility.

The hydro-syncro-shuttle should not be a problem but you probably don't have it given the number of clutches replaced and the enormous expense and complexity of the hydro.

Is most of your work with a loader?
 
Last edited:

kuboman

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Dec 6, 2009
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i have a 1999 85hp Kubota that has had 3 clutches replaced, machined plate last time in just 650 hours. no we never slip the clutch, and the work is not heavy duty.
there must be some common possible cause? what can I consdier?
2 possibilities, operation of the clutch, or problem with alignment. Only you can eliminate the first. As was suggested constant riding the clutch will cause wear but usually the throw out bearing goes first.
 

rwakefield

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Jul 20, 2012
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Sydney
Nearly all of the tractor use is either using a grabber to move half ton rolls of feed, or else PTO drive of an 8 ft slasher. I dont think these would be to hard on the clutch. I do have an FEL but have rarely used it.
 

rwakefield

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Jul 20, 2012
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Sydney
What model is it? 2wd or 4wd? If 4wd, do you usually leave it in 4wd? Original tires, or new and maybe different than the brochure? After three clutches, I'm sure you have it right, but can it possibly be the linkage? Is it a wet clutch, or dry? Have enough fluid - after three disassemblies, you must?!
it is 4wd/ 2wd but i only use 4wd when I am almost bogged, pretty rare. I have never had to replace a clutch in any vehicle previously, this is not riding clutch as a cause but i am wondering if the comments re alignment may be a casue. How do I diagnose that?
 

birddogger

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May 29, 2011
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had 3 clutches replaced, machined plate last time in just 650 hours.
You mean resurfaced the pressure plate? There is the possibility the pressure plate is the problem. It could be made from a batch of poorly tempered springs, or the pre-load was misadjusted.