MF 1040 Clutch will not disengage

[Treeland]

My mid 1980s model MF 1040 is having issues with the clutch. Fully depressed, the pedal will not disengage the clutch. The adjustment to the linkage is maxed out and the arm on the shaft is almost to a point at which it hits the side of the case, meaning it will not turn anymore. Could I have lost the clutch release ("throw-out") bearing?

I've changed plenty of clutches on cars, but never on a tractor. This looks like a monster project.

 

[haroldy]

chances are you need a new clutch,,, have to split tractor
did this a couple of years ago ,,had mechanic do it

 

[2stroker]

My Yanmar would do the same thing in damp rainy weather when left to sit out covered. The steel in the clutch friction plate would "rust" to the clutch plate. I was able to " break " it by first starting the tractor in neutral and let it warm up. Then shut it off, place it in low gear or reverse and start the tractor in gear. Very dangerous stuff! I would fthen drive around with the clutch pedal depressed until the "rust" bond broke.
The only way I solved it was to block the clutch pedal down when it wasn't running.
I sold that tractor and have a GC2400 now, so no worries.
Don