clutch adjustment, 961

[smallfarm]

Maybe you guys can give me some good info? I am an auto mechanic and not a tractor mechanic, but do live on a farm and have a ford 961 desiel, I have recently purchased this and if this was a car I would say the clutch is next to shot, it seems to slip pretty bad. I am wondering if their is an adjustment for the clutch? some people have told me there is. I have the owners manual and it tells me how to adjust the pedal, but I would have to say there doesnt seem to be any more adjustment to it. What should I do????? any input much appreciated!!!!!!

 

[souNdguy]

for the dual stage clutch, pedal free play adjustment is about all ya got..

soundguy

 

[Brian Allen]

smallfarm
It sounds like it is time to replace that clutch assembly.
Be sure you understand the procedure before you start the job;
there have been lots of posts regarding this.
Make sure you block the front pivot with wedges, before you split the tractor.
Post for more information from others who know your machine.
Regards
Brian

 

[souNdguy]

un;ess it's a wide front 961.. won't have a front pivot. if it is a wide front.. it's a weird one to block, unlike a ag chassie bolster and axle setup.

soundguy

 

[MarkB_MI]

Free play is adjusted with the stop bolt. If you have an inch or so of free play and it's slipping, the clutch is shot. If you can't get any more free play, the clutch is shot. $$$ to replace the dual clutch on the 961.

 

[WayneIA]

The clutch rod has two holes at the point of adjustment.If you are in the back hole and the clutch pedal is standing kinda almost strtaight up and down, the clutch is diffenitly shot $$$$$; The clutch is rebuildable with the right jig, (which I have)

 

[MarkB_MI]

The clutch rod adjustment has no effect on free play. It only affects the pedal height. Free play is adjusted using the stop bolt.

 

[WayneIA]

My point exactly.If the cluth pedel is standing up in order to get free travel.or are out of free travel the clutch is shot.The pedal will not stand up very far if the pin is in the front hole.

 

[smallfarm]

sounds like I have some work ahead of me. Thank you all for the consistant advice. seeing how I must need to replace the clutch, I looked on the parts listing on this website and there is a friction clutch and what appears to be a throwout bearing, Is this what I need????? If so the parts seem to be pretty reasonable as long as I can to the work myself. If I ordered the service manual does anyone think that it will have the procedure for replacing the clutch in it??? Or is my best bet to bite the bullet and pay big money to have a pro Do it??? Any suggestions on the procedures or advice on what path to take would be great!!!! Thanks

 

[Brian Allen]

smallfarm
I am a great believer in service manuals!
What you need depends on what you find as you dismantle!
You may get away with just replacing the clutch disc, but "usually" that is not recommended!
Post back with what you find.
Pictures are best, as the fine people here can see what you have.
Good luck.
Brian

 

[MarkB_MI]

This is the kit you want:

CLUTCH KIT - Clutch kit for 9" double clutch. Contains remanufactured 9" pressure plate assembly, 12 springs, 6 levers, remanufactured 9" engine disc, 15-spline, 1" hub; remanufactured 9" PTO disc, 29-spline, 1-78" hub, new release and pivot bearings. For live PTO double clutch models (1955 to 1964). Tractors: 600, 700, 800, 900, Dexta, Super Dexta. (Part No: 311435K_) $469.90

I don't recall anyone saying if they've purchased a dual clutch from YT, so I don't know anything about their product. There have, however, been a lot of postings about problems with these clutch assemblies from various sources, so it may behoove you to buy locally in case there's a problem with the clutch. If the dual clutch isn't properly adjusted, it won't work and you'll have to split the tractor to take it back out. If you decide to take your old clutch to a shop for rebuild, make them SHOW YOU their adjustment fixture. If they don't have Ford fixture NDA-7502, then they don't have the ability to correctly set up the clutch.

Splitting a 961 is well within the capabilities of a shade-tree mechanic. You'll need a smooth, flat surface on which to work, some blocking, a few jack stands and a jack or two. The most important thing you'll need is the shop manual, which will explain in detail how to split the row-crop tractor. The factory manual is the best, but a new one is outrageously expensive. Used ones are available on eBay. An IT manual is better than no manual at all, I suppose.

Good luck!

 

[MarkB_MI]

Wayne, the pedal height and free play are totally independent things. Try it yourself, if you don't mind going out in the cold. Move the pin from one hole to the other. The pedal will move up or down, but the free play will not change one iota.