New to forum...Not sure I'm doing this right, but here goes! I have a 1993 L3650GST tractor with a clutch pedal that "grabs" only at the last couple of inches of letting the clutch out, then the tractor jerks and begins moving. Is this likely a clutch rod adjustment issue or an internal clutch problem? If internal, dealer says the tractor must be "split" in order to replace clutch...big money. I did try adjusting the clutch rod by loosening the nuts at both ends of the turnbuckle, but could not get the turnbuckle to move...can I heat it up and then try turning? Thanks for your help.
Kubota L3650 GST clutch rod
- Thread starter ottand198
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North Idaho Wolfman
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Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
First don't use heat on the coupling, take off the rod and soak the joint in 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF, that should break the bond to let you turn it.
Pull the rod off and run the tractor (keep reading, answered below) if it slips, or still acts wonky, then your way past a rod adjustment to fix the problem.
Now if when you run it properly with only using the shuttle lever, and it still jerks into gear, and doesn't flow into gear, your not looking a mechanical clutch issue, your looking at a hydraulic clutch pack or regulator issue, I bet worn clutch pack seal.
Now for the proper operation of the tractor, and I'm not meaning to me rude or harsh as a lot of people think it's required and normal to use the mechanical clutch pedal:
On a GST you should NOT be using the clutch pedal, or you should only use it when operating the PTO for engagement and disengagement or doing light tasks such as hooking up an Implement where you need small precise movements.
thus you can run and operate the tractor without the clutch rod even being on the tractor, just remember "pull the shuttle to neutral to stop", this is important!
When you use the shuttle lever it first allows the tractor to go into a range and then engages an internal hydraulic clutch, this is all done without ever touching the manual clutch pedal, and will not do any damage or cause any wear.
Also do you know that you can change from any gear to any gear without doing anything except moving the shifter, it goes through the same steps internally as moving the shuttle lever.
Yes any gear to any gear, like 8th to 1st, and yes that would be a harsh shift on you, but the tractor can handle it just fine, because of the hydraulic clutch.
Pull the rod off and run the tractor (keep reading, answered below) if it slips, or still acts wonky, then your way past a rod adjustment to fix the problem.
Now if when you run it properly with only using the shuttle lever, and it still jerks into gear, and doesn't flow into gear, your not looking a mechanical clutch issue, your looking at a hydraulic clutch pack or regulator issue, I bet worn clutch pack seal.
Now for the proper operation of the tractor, and I'm not meaning to me rude or harsh as a lot of people think it's required and normal to use the mechanical clutch pedal:
On a GST you should NOT be using the clutch pedal, or you should only use it when operating the PTO for engagement and disengagement or doing light tasks such as hooking up an Implement where you need small precise movements.
thus you can run and operate the tractor without the clutch rod even being on the tractor, just remember "pull the shuttle to neutral to stop", this is important!
When you use the shuttle lever it first allows the tractor to go into a range and then engages an internal hydraulic clutch, this is all done without ever touching the manual clutch pedal, and will not do any damage or cause any wear.
Also do you know that you can change from any gear to any gear without doing anything except moving the shifter, it goes through the same steps internally as moving the shuttle lever.
Yes any gear to any gear, like 8th to 1st, and yes that would be a harsh shift on you, but the tractor can handle it just fine, because of the hydraulic clutch.
Last edited:
Thank you for the info. I typically use the clutch pedal to shift quickly from forward to reverse. Example: If I am driving forward in 5th gear, I would depress clutch pedal and apply the brakes and then shift the shuttle to reverse and off I go. Guess I could simply slip the shuttle lever into neutral as you suggest, hit the brakes and then shift into reverse as soon as the tractor stops forward motion. I've always had the "standard transmission" mindset where you always use the clutch...will now take full advantage of GST function. Thank you!
North Idaho Wolfman
Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
You really don't even need to wait for it to stop, shifting from forward, then slight pause in neutral, then into reverse on that tractor will no hurt the tractor, transmission, or the clutch, it will simply slow stop and then go the other direction.
About the only time I ever use the brakes is for setting the parking brake.