961 shifting problem

[Naber]

I bought a Ford with a 5 speed transmission and a 2 step clutch a month ago. I believe it's a 961. It has worked great and I have used it alot with no problems until now. It suddenly won't go into gear, just grinds. The PTO still works as it should. Shifting seems to work fine with the engine off. It was parked on a steep incline before this problem started. I don't know if this is a clutch problem, a transmission problem or if I need to adjust the clutch. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[michford]

Checking the clutch adjustment would be the first step. Do you have a service manual for your tractor showing the procedure? Here are a couple of pics from the Ford service manual outlining the procedure. If adjustment does not take care of it, the clutch may be worn to the point of needing replacement.

 

[MarkB_MI]

You say the PTO "works as it should", which I take to mean you can shift it in and out of gear. If there's nothing connected to the PTO, you may mistakenly think it's OK when in fact the PTO clutch isn't releasing.

Clutch wear will not typically cause it to not release; as the clutch wears, free play is reduced until there's no play left and the clutch slips. So I don't think it's a wear situation.

The clutch may be stuck due to rust. This typically won't happen unless the tractor has been parked outside for many weeks without being operated.

 

[riveroadrat]

You can lift up your steering box and look in through the top to look at the clutch covers adjustable bolts on the fingers to see if that's a problem. I don't know who made your clutch but i bought one for a 4 speed at a local parts house and installed it in my 4030 loader. I noticed something a little strange about it when buttoning it up. I had to adjust my pedal rod differently, more so than what I considered appropriate for a new clutch and disc. I ran it that way for quite a while but just when I needed the loader. I noticed that the reverser was always hard to go into gear though without grinding. I loaded a couple trucks and after they left I moved a couple bales and when I set the last one down, the tractor kept pushing forward, no clutch at all. I had to split the tractor again and found that one of the 3 bolts holding the clutch cover on was broke. Of course no warranty at all. I did let the supplier know what the problem was. I could have killed someone over a $1 bolt. I bought all new grade 8 metric bolts for the clutch cover. The main thing is that it gave my input shaft on my reverser a fit and there's no telling what damage it did to the dentals with all that grinding. I had just gone through the reverser before installing that clutch. I just thought everyone should know about these inferior clutches before they install them. The bolt had a clean straight shear break like it didn't have any problem breaking.

 

[rew1953]

I cannot find a listing for a 961, but if it is a 50's model Ford you are seeing a very common problem. The clutch plate rusts to the flywheel and is a real PIA to get broke loose. You have to be very careful if trying to use a solvent. You can cause severe damage to the clutch disc.

The recommended procedure is to start it in gear. You have to disable the neutral safety switch. Then find a respectable hill and load up the motor to the stalling point. T clutch plate will break loose from the flywheel. You have to be patient. It took my NAA 2-1/2 hours of continuous loading before the plate broke loose.

The recommended procedure to prevent this from reoccurring is when the tractor is parked, depress the clutch pedal to the running board, reach underneath and insert a small 4" long piece of 2x4 between the clutch pedal arm and the running board. This disengages the clutch disc and prevents this from rearing it's ugly headn again. It will not hurt the clutch system.