MX5100 clutch issue.

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I was thinking maybe a cat!

but how does this happen on a tractor?
Is this a case of cracks forming over years of normal use, until one day there are enough of them, of some of them are bad enough that even normal use results in catastrophic failure?

I wrote that first just didn't want to push that visual.

Heat and a little moisture can do it, as can fatigue cracking.

It's pretty much a gunpowder result, one little start and it all goes off in nothing flat.

 

[Casper1]

Yep that was the POP you heard, total clutch disk explosion, I've seen a few.
Yea operator "error" is the case here, but given your condition I'll give you a pass.
This is also where an HST would really benefit you as they don't have that issue as often.
The mechanical clutch does very little work, and that is if even equipped, as most newer HST designs don't use a clutch disk at all.

This was the first time in the 38yrs post accident. Henceforth, I will leave dirt stacking to my mini excavator. Most of our ground is fairly level and the steepness of the project that did this in, is not typical.

 

[Casper1]

For reference how many hours are on the tractor?

It's a low use utility. I'm not near the machine, but I would guess under 700.

 

[Casper1]

Parts will be here tomorrow. Messick's had everything.

 

[Casper1]

Flywheel is back, minus .0065 of thickness. The shop said it was in good shape.

Messick's delivered super fast. Ordered yesterday at 1:35pm. Arrived at noon today. New and old pressure plate and clutch disk shown side by side.

I'm also swapping the brittle connectors on the neutral switch on the shuttle shift and the PTO lever. Also, swapping connectors on the lights. I'm using Deutsch connectors for everything. they seem a bit more secure than the bullet connectors on the lights. Hopefully, I can get this back together on Monday, this weekend has too many family commitments.