885 Drive Clutch Engages At Very Top Of Pedal Travel

[ScottNC]

This tractor has the Laycock Clutch. The PTO clutch is fine, the drive clutch however, engages at the extreme top of pedal travel. Given the 885's awkward ergonomics this makes for difficult backing to attach the 3-point to equipment. New clutch disks and bearings so it isn't a wear issue - it was like this before disassembly. The pressure plate fingers are so high that pedal free play cannot be increased to more than the minimum to keep the throw out bearing from being constantly loaded. The bolts on the pressure plate fingers that the throw out bearing rides on are adjusted as low as is practical. There is a feeler gauge adjustment at the pressure plate finger pivot point that can be accessed with the tractor assembled but the dimension spec has been changed so many times it is a crap shoot to know which one to use. Plus, does this clearance even have an effect on the engagement point?