1715 Clutch questions

[Dataway]

I've got a 1715, single clutch type, about 1000 hours. I've replaced the throwout bearing once a couple hundred hours ago.

Is my memory serving me correctly that the throwout bearing is in a "Dry" area of the transmission?

The original throwout bearing died due to lack of lubrication and the cavity it was in was covered in condensate produced rust ... it wasn't a sealed bearing and I figured it wasn't going to last long.

Anyway ... has anyone ever drilled a hole in the outer case (assuming it's dry like I remember) to be able to squirt some oil on the bearing periodically? I can't remember if the clutch itself is dry or wet .... obviously it would cause problem getting oil on a dry clutch. Hate to split the tractor again just to replace this bearing that would probably live quite a bit longer with some oil on it.


And ... a bonus question ... would you 1715 owners expect the clutch to slip going up a hill about 25 degree incline, with a bucket full of gravel, a full frame backhoe installed and filled tires .. using mid-range 2nd gear? I've gone up the same hill in the same gear without the gravel many times in the past no problem ... pretty sure it was slipping carrying the gravel ... changed to 1st gear, mid-range and it goes up with no sign of slippage.

 

[JC-jetro]

1- yes, throwout bearing is inside the tranny and is dry.
2- if you split a tractor to put some oil then might as well change the sealed bearing. They are always sealed for lifetime, whose lifetime? i don't know.
3- probably bad idea to squirt oil there as it should not get on clutch plate. On my 1700 there is an inspection hand hole that I take the rubber cap off and inspect. if you look at the attached pic the bearing is sealed and is too close to fingers on the pressure plate. I had to change a clutch on my son's car when the seal on the engine side leaked a bit of oil and got the friction plate contaminated. He could barely go up a 5 degree incline due to slippage.
4- I don't think the clutch should slip while going very slowly but don't have first hand experience with situation you mentioned.

JC,

 

[Dataway]

Thanks for the pics ... yep that's what I remember.
The previous new throwout bearing also made noise from pretty much day one ... not sure if I bought a NH part or an off brand.
Hopefully it will last till next spring

 

[JC-jetro]

Thanks for the pics ... yep that's what I remember.
The previous new throwout bearing also made noise from pretty much day one ... not sure if I bought a NH part or an off brand.
Hopefully it will last till next spring

if throwout bearing is not riding on the pressure plate fingers then the only thing it can damage is itself only and nothing else. I don't reckon you have the hand hole on the side of Tranny to quickly check. I think that was an awesome thing to have. At least they should have a removeabel plug where you could send a scope to check. I can see the bottom of the housing if there is any oil leaking from the transmission input shaft or the flywheel side.

JC,

 

[Dataway]

Yep ... the 1715 has no such convenient hole/plug .. not sure why when so many of the other aspects of this line of tractors is the same.

Normally not a big deal ... but with an FEL and a full frame back hoe it's kind of a pain to pare it down for splitting.

For some reason I get a LOT of condensation in that area of the tranny, first time I changed out the throw out bearing the case was just covered in rust dust everywhere.

In the big picture ... it's been a wonderful tractor ... 1200 hours and runs like a top, everything works and it's paid for itself three times over with all the work we have done with it.

 

[JC-jetro]

on kubota there is drain connection with a small spring loaded check valve. from time to time i push it up just to see if I have any condensation or oil.

 

[Dataway]

I live in like the worst place in the world for condensation. Huge temp swings, high humidity and I go sometimes months without really heating up the whole tractor enough.

In general though, I could not be happier with my 1715 ... it's done a huge amount of work for a big, dumb, low tech tractor. The clutch is probably the only weakness, plenty of people have had various different problems there, but overall it's a tough machine.

Next adventure is buying a bare steel outer rear rim and cutting the hub out of the OEM wheel and welding it into the new rim ... in theory seems easy enough, we'll see how it goes.

 

[JC-jetro]

I live in like the worst place in the world for condensation. Huge temp swings, high humidity and I go sometimes months without really heating up the whole tractor enough.

In general though, I could not be happier with my 1715 ... it's done a huge amount of work for a big, dumb, low tech tractor. The clutch is probably the only weakness, plenty of people have had various different problems there, but overall it's a tough machine.

Next adventure is buying a bare steel outer rear rim and cutting the hub out of the OEM wheel and welding it into the new rim ... in theory seems easy enough, we'll see how it goes.

No question about it. My fords 1700 is 40 years old and still runs like a top. After 40 years still have 90% of OEM clutch left, although I don't have a loader and back hoe and was used on the light side. I just wished I had power steering, I had to overhaul the steering box and it was not fun. Those Shibauras were outstanding tractors.

JC,

 

[Dataway]

Luckily the clutch was replaced before I bought the tractor .... it was a rental unit with about 700 hours on it, so it probably saw some abuse. The place that sold it to me replaced the clutch, I think did the PTO over-run clutch update and replaced three tires. They were amazed the clutch was worn out, they said they usually last the life of the tractor.

I paid something like $11,000 for it with the FEL and backhoe, was also in good shape cosmetically .... it's done about $30,000 worth of work for me so far