Two stage clutch - Ford 960

[ridgeandvalley]

Had an 8n for many years. With that tractor I could "feather the clutch" if that's the right term so that starts were smooth as could be. If I was hooking up an implement, I could easily creep the tractor forward or backwards just the right amount to line things up.

In 2018 I picked up a Ford 960 since I needed some more horsepower to run a haybine and baler. It has the live PTO and the 2 stage clutch. I found myself making "lurching" starts rather than smooth ones. I figured as I got used to the new tractor, I'd get the feel for it. Still doesn't feel as smooth as I'd like. It feels like the clutch doesn't engage until it reaches the very top end of its travel and then engages very quickly. I do throttle down and that helps some, although I really didn't have to do that with the old 8n.

I don't know if I'm describing this well, but is it just the nature of the 2 stage clutch and the higher angle at the top position of the pedal, or is there an easy adjustment that I should be looking at. I know I can move the pin to make it a single stage, but I don't really want to give up the live PTO by doing that. I'd love to be able to more gradually engage the clutch for those smooth starts and tiny little movements necessary for hooking up implements.

 

[WayneIA]

With your foot off of the pedal, does the clutch pedal seam to stand pretty much perpendicular? If so , you will have a hard time "inching" the tractor with your "knee in your chest". It sounds like you are about due for a new ground drive clutch, and when properly adjusted, the pedal will be down around 7 I/2 inches from the step.

 

[grandpa Love]

I have the same issue with my 960. I was
told clutch needs adjusting.......when I
split tractor to fix a bearing in
transmission. Stay tuned.......

 

[MarkB_MI]

Hmm. The two-stage clutch on my 4000 is quite smooth. Of course that may be because it's pretty old; I considered replacing it when I split the tractor 20-odd years ago, but balked at the price. My guess is you have a reman clutch plate that's a bit sticky; there's not much that can be done about that other than replacement with an OEM clutch.

 

[shaun wallace]

The 861D mutt I built got a new one. It is smooth engagement.

 

[showcrop]

My 960 engages very smoothly.

 

[ridgeandvalley]

Mine is a pretty clean, low hour machine. It doesn't make any unusual noises when engaging or anything like that. It just doesn't engage until the clutch pedal is at the very top of its travel.