BCS Clutch Adjustment

[milkman]

The red lever is separate from the clutch, but is on the same handle as the clutch and is connected to a 'kill switch'. The clutch lever is on the bottom and this red lever is on top of the left handle of the tractor. It is spring loaded so if you let go of the handle the engine dies. It's just a safety device.

Oh, that red lever, I have the same thing, but it is black.
Seems I heard or read somewhere that the newer BCS models has something similar to a shuttle shift, for quick forward/back direction changes, is that true?

 

[HEC]

I'm wondering if the tractor had been setting awhile and not used and the clutch may have stuck to the preasure plate , that sure sounds what might be your problem.I had that happen to a small farm tractor once that sat all winter without being used. I started it up and it took off clutch in or not .I'm guessing these bcs tractors must have a very similar setup.
Good Luck
HC

 

[oldtelephone]

I wonder if you ever got your BCS 850 cluctch fixed. I and working on one too.

 

[wstr75]

Here is a link to another BCS site where I describe un-sticking my BCS clutch.

Yahoo! Groups

I used my BCS several times since and the clutch works like new. I spoke to Bill at the BCS Shop and he said we should have the clutch engaged (transmission not turning position) when storing the tractor. This keeps the friction components apart and not able to rust weld together. I put pull the clutch lever up and lock it but leave the red lever up so as to not stretch the kill switch spring when in storage.

Bill in NC

 

[oldtelephone]

Well I had a time with mine. Water had worked it's way into the clutch housing and the Clutch was locked up good! The shade tree mechanic in me want to hit it with a hammer but the Machinist in me took over and I started to study how it should work. I removed the clutch and found a socket and oak board to protect the ends of the clutch. I clamped them down in a Bessey clamp and "POP" it came loose. While I was in the Clutch housing I found some 1/4" steel ball bearings. Any Idea what they are for?

 

[jperry507]

Yup, got it fixed.

I took off the motor, and the clutch was stuck. Never park your BCS with the clutch engaged. a bit of rust had formed and was a pain to unstick. I used penetrating oil, a hammer and a vise.

~ Jim

 

[jperry507]

If anyone else ever has a problem like this, use this link:

http://bcsamerica.com/pdfs/serviceinfo2-6clutchstuckinengaged.pdf

Good luck!

 

[Rara Avis]

Here is a link to another BCS site where I describe un-sticking my BCS clutch.

Yahoo! Groups

I used my BCS several times since and the clutch works like new. I spoke to Bill at the BCS Shop and he said we should have the clutch engaged (transmission not turning position) when storing the tractor. This keeps the friction components apart and not able to rust weld together. I put pull the clutch lever up and lock it but leave the red lever up so as to not stretch the kill switch spring when in storage.
Bill in NC

I just used this as an excuse to SWMBO to make sure I now own enough attachments so that the BCS is in use year round...

 

[greenbeanman in Kansas]

Never park your BCS with the clutch engaged.

You wouldn't have known since you are a new owner with an already stuck clutch but I am pretty sure the owner's manual strongly cautions about storing the tractor with the clutch engaged.

After reading about so many problems I'm glad I developed my good habit early on with mine.

 

[wstr75]

Umm, the BCS service guide link above has the following sentence which tells us to disengage the clutch (squeeze the lever). Note the reference to using the locking tab. I think the Italians see disengaged as meaning the drivetrain is disengaged from the engine. We Americans tend to see the clutch being pushed in as engaged.

10) Instruct the customer that to prevent this from happening again, always lock the clutch lever
(Ref.#6) in the upright, disengaged position, using locking tab (Ref.#7), when storing the unit.

Take a close look at the drawing in the lower right corner of the link. It shows the clutch lever squeezed and the locking tab holding it in during storage.
http://bcsamerica.com/pdfs/serviceinfo2-6clutchstuckinengaged.pdf

I bought a BCS with a stuck clutch and can tell you the cone clutch design is simple but it does leave metal surfaces pressed-up together when the clutch lever is in the power transfer mode (lever in run position).

Bill in NC