John Deere B Clutch Pulley Bogging Down Engine

[LipRipper3006]

Reassembling the 50' Model "B" that I pulled from the weeds and just got it running again. I tried moving it around the yard a little bit but it seems to have an issue with the clutch. It was a little jumpy
when taking off and seemed to pull down the engine more than the other tractors I've driven. At first, I thought the clutch was too tight so I backed off the castle nuts a little which seemed to help a tad but
it still would load the engine with the pulley engaged in neutral. Next, I adjusted the flywheel endplay out to .015" and it didn't change anything so I put it back at the original setting of .006". I pulled
the tractor back inside and pulled the clutch assembly down to the driver and turned the pulley by hand and it spun freely with no tight spots or excessive drag. I greased the bearing for the pulley when I had
the tractor tore down and the only part that was replaced was the sliding disc because it was cracked. I reassembled and readjusted the clutch and it still seems to pull the RPMs down in neutral. When pushing
the lever forward slowly like you would when taking off the pully turns slightly but then stops and begins to load the engine until you move the lever more it will stop making a slipping sound and turn with
the engine. When you disengage the clutch the RPMs will rise back to normal and the tractor will idle again. It has me stumped and can't think of anything else it can be. Any Suggestions?

 

[Mark-Ia]

Did you grease the bearing, or check the bushing for too much wear?

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

If the pulley turns freely on the crankshaft I'd think the drag could be from the transmission input shaft.

 

[Mike M]

If the pulley brake is not adjusted correctly pulling back on the lever will pinch the back facing and it will start driving again. Not sure if this could be causing your issues or not ? That and if the cotter pins in the bolts inside the pulley that hold them in place are bent wrong they can hit the disk. Those 2 things I have had cause weird issues.

 

[MSD]

X2 on the input shaft or the bearing in the side cover.

 

[LipRipper3006]

I ended up removing the clutch assembly again and have found a certain spot in turning the pully in which there is more drag than in the other spots. I can't tell if it's something on the backside of the pully rubbing or if I got the FRG bearing too tight when installing the cover. I am working on getting the drive disc off now to take a deeper look into the pully.

 

[Drew]

Are you sure the fork is in the groove correctly in the operating sleeve?

 

[LipRipper3006]

*Fixed* I believe I have narrowed down the interference to the dust cover shield part# AB3473R. It seems to either be making contact with the operating sleeve or the pully housing itself. Looks to be fine metal dust/shavings in the FRG housing. Had to take the shield loose and move it as far down, rearward and counterclockwise as the bolts would let me. Still makes a little contact but everything spins freely and doesn't load the engine. Takes off and drives as it should without jumping and jerking now.

 

[Mike M]

I forgot about that issue. I didn't center one once and it was rubbing hard IIRC smoke started coming off of it ? Did you have that part off ? Or was it just out of whack from whoever owned it before.