Case DC clutch problem

[dbafh]

I've got a problem with my 1953 Case DC. When I depress the clutch, it doesn"t release. If I put the tractor in gear, depress the clutch, and try to start it the tractor rolls forward under starter power. This problem started about 6 months ago, and back then if I let the tractor run a while the clutch would eventually start working. Now the clutch doesn't work at all.

I had a mechanic from a local dealer stop to take a look at it. He believes the mail seal is bad, causing oil to leak on the clutch. In his opinion the repair would cost more than the tractor is worth.

I"ve heard of clutches slipping, but never one that wouldn't let go. Does anyone have experience with something like this?

 

[700 man]

If its a foot clutch,when I bought my 53 SC the owner had a block of wood to hold the clutch depressed if he didnt use it for long periods,otherwise it woulden release.He said it happened to his Dad and he wasnt sure what he did to release it,but they put the block there after that.Seems to work.

 

[dbafh]

Wish I'd thought of that back when the problem started. If I ever break it free again I'll give this a try. Thanks!

 

[700 man]

Good Luck

 

[Bob from Australia]

The mechanic does not know the DC. It has a wet clutch with no rear main oil seal. Oil from the engine is pumped into the clutch and runs back into the engine through large holes in the back of the crankcase.

 

[dbafh]

Thanks for the reply. You have given me hope!

 

[tractorhank]

I had the same problem with a case cc. Tried everything to break it loose and nothing worked until my brother in-law came by and had me take off the clutch adjustment inspection plate. I then loosened all of the pressure plate bolts about 6 turns each. I then put the tractor in gear and pulled it about ten feet with another tractor with the ignition unhooked so that it would not start by mistake and the clutch broke free. Tightened the bolts back up again and now always make sure clutch is disengaged while parked for any length of time. I don't know if this is the same for your tractor, but it saved me having to split the tractor.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The mechanic is all wet concerning the oil. The Case clutches were designed to run in oil. There is no seal between the engine and the clutch housing.

 

[Nick in Kansas]

My '54 DC does the same thing after it sits for long periods of time. Usually if I can stat it in 1st gear, I can get it to release after time. Have been known to go all the way around the shop with the clutch depressed, stomping on the brakes, before they released though.

 

[Jimmie D. Phelps]

This is a little off subject but did you know in motorcycles with wet clutches that they cannot use reg motor oil. even in synthic. As most oils have friction reducers in them. They have to run special oil without the friction reducers. In your case you may need a better grade of oil one with more friction reducers so the clutch plates will not stick togather to the flywheel. I don't believe it would cause your clutch to slip. In Case tractors I always liked the hand clutch the best as you could adjust it .

 

[Jimmie D. Phelps]

I thought of something else. Maybe your hole in the crankshaft is pluged and your clutch is not getting enough oil to it. ????

 

[Jimmie D. Phelps]

I just read that there is no seal on the back main. Maybe someone before you had the tractor tried to put a make shift seal in it. Maybe the Mechinic you talked to did it?? Just a thought, as you said he thought you might be gettin oil on the clutch.

 

[Anonymous-0]

That, in itself, is a good reminder never to park a hand clutch unit with the lever engaged.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Sorry, Bob. I didn't see your post.

 

[Fry]

My dad has the same problem with his SC. It"s not a fix, but a couple of times now I"ve had to start it in neutral, run the RPMs down as low as they go, and slam it into gear to get moving. A little bit of this and the clutch would loosen up. After a few times of this, dad notched a 2x4 to keep the clutch pedal in when parked.

I"ve always wondered what the neighbors thought when they saw me driving backwards in circles around the field at 4am before clearing snow...

 

[C. Amick]

I assume that you have a foot clutch. The clutch plate is probably stuck to the flywheel. You need to try and make the clutch plate slip. If you can get it in high gear and hold the brakes, that may work.

 

[dbafh]

Update: Many thanks to all for your thoughts and suggestions on my clutch problem. I finally got some time to work with it today. I put the tractor in a heated garage for a couple of hours and had a look in the side access panels. I don't really know what it's supposed to look like in there, but there wasn't any oil pooled in the casing. I then started it in 1st gear and drove around the yard for about 15 minutes. I tried hard braking, going up and down hills, running in forward and reverse, all with no luck. I finally parked it with a block under the clutch pedal so hopefully it doesn't get stuck any worse.

Taking stock of the whole situation (stuck clutch, carb needs work, leaks from every place imagineable) I'm starting to think I may need to retire the old girl. I use it for plowing snow, hauling firewood, and pulling an occasional stump. I've had it about 14 years, but it hasn't been the most reliable for the last 2. I'm not really setup for or knowledgeable enough to do any heavy-duty repairs. Do you think I should keep fighting with the clutch to break it free or try to find a buyer? Any guesses as to what I could get for it in its current condition? I don't think I ever gave a complete description: its a 1953 DC3 with foot clutch, eagle hitch (including the top link). It has a loader with dual hydraulic controls. I put a new magneto in last year, and the front hydraulic rams are 3 years old. I have the original operators manual and some other docs that apparently came with the original tractor. The rear tires were replaced just before I bought the tractor, and aside from their age they are like new since I used it so little. It has been kept in a garage the last 14 years, but spent a lot of time outdoors prior to that based on the faded color and the rust on the lower fenders.
Once again, thank you for all of your help with this!

 

[Ron Sa]

I had the same problem with a 53 DC and foot clutch. When I boutght it, antifreeze had been leaking into the oil for a long time and the crankcase had a lot of gunk in the bottom. I clean out the crankcase and fixed the engine as need but the clutch would not always release. Finally, I split the tractor to fix the clutch. Because the engine oil circulates thru the clutch, the clutch was gummed up with a hard antifreeze and oil paste. The design of the clutch mechanism is such that crud gets trapped and packs into a close clearance at the outer diameter of the clutch disc. Most likely, the solution to your problem is to split the tractor and clean years of crud out of the clutch parts.