Branson 4720 clutch issue?

[hotrodelrod]

Hello to all. First post on a great site. I have a 4720 with loader that to date (230 hrs.)has been a great machine.Recently I went to use the tractor and the clutch seems to be stuck in the engaged position. In other words, if I jam it into gear, as i am moving forward and engage the clutch pedal nothing happens, just keeps on going. I spoke with my dealer and was told "try stabbing the brakes as you are moving forward, sometimes this will free it up" No luck! Now I am told I am looking at a $1000 + repair. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[MicroPilot]

Have you tried adjusting the clutch pedal free play?


There is a turnbuckle on the clutch linkage that you can adjust to take in the clutch pedal freeplay. You should have about 3/4" travel of the pedal. This procedure is also detailed in the owners manual.

Check here on page 72 if you don't have an owners manual.

http://web.archive.org/web/20060317...x.php?option=content&task=view&id=4&Itemid=28

 

[hotrodelrod]

MicroPilot, i did check the linkage and it was correct. Thanks for your reply.

 

[hotrodelrod]

Anybody else experiance this?

 

[MicroPilot]

Is the PTO clutch also stuck?

 

[hotrodelrod]

MicroPilot. Just tried to engage PTO and it apperars to work as it should. Thanks

 

[DavesTractor]

Hello to all. First post on a great site. I have a 4720 with loader that to date (230 hrs.)has been a great machine.Recently I went to use the tractor and the clutch seems to be stuck in the engaged position. In other words, if I jam it into gear, as i am moving forward and engage the clutch pedal nothing happens, just keeps on going. I spoke with my dealer and was told "try stabbing the brakes as you are moving forward, sometimes this will free it up" No luck! Now I am told I am looking at a $1000 + repair. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Not too uncommon on a tractor that has for some reason gotten too much moisture into the bellhousing area. Has it been in a creek or anything? Sometimes just high humidity and lack of use will cause it. Normally it will unstick itself. The method to unstick a clutch is not without risks. Driving a tractor with a stuck clutch requires a lot of space with no obstacles, and the operator needs to remember to shut the tractor off if he needs to stop. The other issue is that if you nail the brakes really hard, something will let go, either the clutch...or the ring and pinion...or something. So be reasonable. Make sure the clutch pedal is depressed, put it in medium 3rd or 4th, with the clutch depressed stab the brakes a little, then maybe a little more. Most often it will come loose. Then latch or block the clutch pedal down when not in use. Check the vent hole ( I think there is one) in the bottom of the bellhousing area and make sure it is open.

If you are not comfortable with the procedure, ask the dealer to do it for you.

 

[hotrodelrod]

Thanks for your advice Dave. I have tried this once, but will try again. Maybe 2nd times a charm!

 

[YanmarFever]

Ok, this method was taught to me by a Japanese Yanmar dealer in Japan.

He said,
1.. hook up your mower to the pto shaft (brush hog)
2.. run the tractor at 1500 idle (not fast)
3.. push in the clutch.... ( very important) everyone forgets.
4.. turn on the pto, and you will hear a pop.

Now, this works great on Yanmar's, as far as a branson you are on your own. Over the years I have unstuck over 20 machines (Yanmars) this way, so far so good.

This is how I do have done this in the past many times, and it works I accept no responsibility for anyone else doing this...yoyo.

 

[hotrodelrod]

Not too uncommon on a tractor that has for some reason gotten too much moisture into the bellhousing area. Has it been in a creek or anything? Sometimes just high humidity and lack of use will cause it. Normally it will unstick itself. The method to unstick a clutch is not without risks. Driving a tractor with a stuck clutch requires a lot of space with no obstacles, and the operator needs to remember to shut the tractor off if he needs to stop. The other issue is that if you nail the brakes really hard, something will let go, either the clutch...or the ring and pinion...or something. So be reasonable. Make sure the clutch pedal is depressed, put it in medium 3rd or 4th, with the clutch depressed stab the brakes a little, then maybe a little more. Most often it will come loose. Then latch or block the clutch pedal down when not in use. Check the vent hole ( I think there is one) in the bottom of the bellhousing area and make sure it is open.

If you are not comfortable with the procedure, ask the dealer to do it for you.

Well, i went outside this AM. followed Daves directions to a T, IT WORKED! Thanks to Dave and everyone else who gave advice!

 

[DavesTractor]

Ok, this method was taught to me by a Japanese Yanmar dealer in Japan.

He said,
1.. hook up your mower to the pto shaft (brush hog)
2.. run the tractor at 1500 idle (not fast)
3.. push in the clutch.... ( very important) everyone forgets.
4.. turn on the pto, and you will hear a pop.

Now, this works great on Yanmar's, as far as a branson you are on your own. Over the years I have unstuck over 20 machines (Yanmars) this way, so far so good.

This is how I do have done this in the past many times, and it works I accept no responsibility for anyone else doing this...yoyo.

Ern, I can see how this would work with a single-stage clutch, and it would be less dangerous as the tractor would remain in neutral. Do you think it would break loose a stuck drive clutch on a 2-plate system? I've never thought about this method before, but I can see it's advantages.

 

[YanmarFever]

Dave
Its worked for us many times on ( Yanmars).
Some Yanmars sitting in the containers for a month at a time come out with the clutch stuck. I finally got my supplier to lock the clutch hold down clip, which put an end to the problems.
As far as a 2 stage clutch I think it would work too, cause its the pto shaft thats separating it.
When using this method one has to be careful... but its worked for us many times :thumbsup: