DB990 Clutch Access Question

[ScottNC]

Have an 81 year old friend with a 990 that he really needs to make someone else's instead of trying to mow with it. Regardless, the clutch is stuck. My manual shows a pull type pressure plate which I have never dealt with before so I don't know what I don't know. Is there a way to get at the clutch to try and get at least the drive disk freed up without splitting the tractor?

 

[want@1070]

I would try pushing clutch pedal down , then clamp it for a few days, maybe a week,
This worked on my 995.

 

[ScottNC]

My 885 has a couple of covers on the clutch housing that once removed allows some access, I don't see anything like that on this 990. I can try blocking the pedal in the down position, sure can't hurt.

A carriage bolt has been substituted for the clutch free-play adjustment bolt (threaded its entire length) I guess to achieve more travel of the throw-out bearing. It being a pull type pressure plate (the operation of which I am totally unfamiliar with) I wonder what damage has possibly been done by forcibly standing on the clutch pedal with that long bolt in there?

 

[RGMartin]

You are mistaken. No DB that I have ever encountered out of 100s I have been into has had a pull type clutch.

 

[ScottNC]

RG, I was going by a description in a repair manual - CLUTCH Selectamatic Tractors publication #TP619 (in case you have the same). I just reread the section 'Operation - 880 and 990 Tractors'. You be right!

No matter, as much as I'd like to be a good neighbor, I do not intend to split this tractor. Currently the clutch pedal is ratchet strapped down. If I can get another neighbor to help, I'll chain my 885 to this 990 and try to shock the clutch plate loose. This is a 12 speed with the same shifters as my 885 so (again according to the TP619 repair manual) it ought to have a two-stage PTO? If it does, since the pedal is already strapped down, can I hang a weighted bar on the PTO shaft to any advantage in trying to free it as well?

Also, when depressing the clutch pedal there is surprisingly little resistance (at least compared to my tractor) until it abruptly gets rock hard. No reasonable amount of force will get it to go further. That concerns me.

 

[ScottNC]

Bump for another question if you check in RG. Clutch pedal has been strapped down for a week now, tried pumping the tractor with mine - no go. Talked to another 990 owner I know who it turns out, had to deal with a stuck clutch in his tractor. He said there is an access hole in the bottom of the frame under the clutch, so I took a gasket scraper and removed 40 years of caked on muddy oil and a can of brake clean but I found it. Cold rain set in before I had time for a look with a flashlight. The 990 other owner suggested I look into whether the transmission input shaft on this tractor is removable via removing the clutch and tranny cover - without splitting the tractor. It didn't occur to him try to do so on his tractor until after he'd already fixed the clutch by splitting it.

RG, What do you think? I see nothing in print to indicate the input can be removed (with the clutch?) as he suggested trying nor anything that say's it can't be done. The owner of this tractor said for me to push it into the woods where no one can see it . . . so it may wind up as yard art at my place unless I can incentivize him to come after it by making it move.

 

[RGMartin]

I seem to remember reading that a 6 speed tractor could be pulled without splitting, but not a 12. I have never owned or worked on a 6 speed 990, so I don't know. In my opinion it is easier to split one than all the monkeying around removing the top covers.

 

[ScottNC]

Thanks RG. This is a twelve. The tractor the fellow who suggested I look into not splitting has a twelve also, but, his has the high/lo shifter with the big dog-leg in it were the one keeping the grass from growing out front of the house has shifters looking identical to my 885. Something different about the input shafts? I dunno.

Did I mention this thing is for sale? After it got here and I saw what a mess it was and talked to the owner, he got back to me and said to push it off into the woods. Engine starts easy and runs well. I'm told the PTO works in both speeds. Total hours are guess beyond the 8K showing as the tach is but an ornament. The GM internal regulated alternator is wired wrong. The transmission and finals were quiet the 100 yards I drove it in the low side of high and 1st. The shifters are very stiff. To that end, since it showed up with a good bit of clear water (no mayo) in the trans - the shift rails and /or the detents might need a little love out of a Kroil can. It came to me after much pleading against my better judgement to get the spool valve unstuck. Once it was here I found it had no brakes (I suspect the shoes are oil soaked), the clutch stuck, and the 3-point jury rigged via the rear hydraulics (If you're wondering, how'd that work? Don't ask, it doesn't). Owner is 81 going on 82, he has been trying to bush hog with this thing by starting it in gear and stopping it by shutting off the fuel . . . .

I put it in the classifieds here, that add has expired. Give me a shout via PM if even remotely interested and I'll get you hooked up with contact info to the owner. I'm in the dead center of NC, :15 from the Denton, NC Farm Park (July 4th Old Threshers Reunion).