CK30 clutch issues

[williekioti]

Looking for some assistance from the pack. Was moving snow today after the last storm, I'm about 90% done and the tractor stops moving with what I would consider a light pile of snow out front. I'm on a slope, so figure I just lost traction. One front tire is spinning, but neither of the rears and I've got the diff lock engaged. WTF!! I mess around with it a bit, put it on a little slope, FWD disengaged and the tractor stops forward momentum w/o spinning the rears. The engine only changes rpm very, very slightly before the "stopage". I don't smell anything unusual, but my clutch quite obviously is slipping right?

I checked the clutch pedal free play and it was only slightly out of spec(1.5-1.6"). I adjusted to 1.0" and retried, no joy, same symptoms. I completed the adjustment at the 50hr service per the manual and now at 135hrs, could my clutch actually be cooked already? Is there something else I can check before I call my dealer? Will have to wait until Monday morning anyways. This sucks, I was w/o the tractor for over a month last winter with a faulty injector pump. It was replaced under warranty but that still didn't help with the time lost or pick up & delivery costs since I moved away from my original dealer. I really need the little orange beast this time of year for snow removal. Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, CK30 gear drive.

 

[HODAK]

If one front tire continues to spin, it would not be the clutch.

 

[williekioti]

If one front tire continues to spin, it would not be the clutch.

I thought that a bit odd myself. What else should I be looking at? Engine spinning, in gear, clutch engaged what else is there? Unless something is amiss in the gear box. There were no unusual sounds or sensations on either occaision. Just no go until I reduced the load by reversing direction. I did not drive it extensively after the anomoly for fear of damaging something. It did propel itself across slope, down slope and even up slope w/o load. But putting the two rears in the dip beside my driveway(in 2WD) and the front facing up slope (call it 10*) engaging clutch yields no go, no tire spin. Could reverse back onto drive no problem.

Before the problem I had been moving snow with the bucket and the rear blade in forward and reverse (pulling it with angled blade and pushing back in reverse). Also, I do store the tractor with clutch disengaged utilizing the catch on the pedal as per the manual and what I've been advised by the service tech.

 

[kioti180]

I am having a problem with my ck 20 gear. Accept that the rear tires spin fine but the front wheels are barely spinning. On flat ground in the snow the tractor is not moving. It is like the 4x4 is not working.

 

[williekioti]

OK, I am a complete idiot. Problem identified and I feel very stupid right now. Spoke to my dealer this morning, explained my "problem" and he asked can you have someone look at the rims while you experience the problem. Duh, I didn't even have to go that far, just a quick look at the rims and I could see slight residue from the rimguard around the beads. So now I know it's nothing serious but have to see if checking and repressuring the tires will solve the problem.

 

[JC-jetro]

OK, I am a complete idiot. Problem identified and I feel very stupid right now. Spoke to my dealer this morning, explained my "problem" and he asked can you have someone look at the rims while you experience the problem. Duh, I didn't even have to go that far, just a quick look at the rims and I could see slight residue from the rimguard around the beads. So now I know it's nothing serious but have to see if checking and repressuring the tires will solve the problem.

So you were spinning the rim with the tire locked in place without tires going flat while rimguard was lubricating the tire and the rim?

JC,

 

[williekioti]

So you were spinning the rim with the tire locked in place without tires going flat while rimguard was lubricating the tire and the rim?

JC,

That would be correct, from the evidence at hand. Are you going to tell me now that I'm screwed, will have to remove my tires/rims, drain, clean up the bead/rim, reseat, refill, air back up and re-install? I so hope not.........................(as the white stuff continues to fall)

 

[williekioti]

Update to I am an idiot thread; aired up the tires to max pressure, problem solved. Worked the beast good beating back my snow banks, back to 'er old form. The rears were down to single digits psi, fronts to 20. I believe I really dodged a bullet here, could have easily blown a bead off.



Guess I'll have to be a bit more vigilant with my PM....................(says to himself as he slinks off in humiliation)

 

[IXLR8]

I have not checked my tire pressures since the tractor was delivered almost a year ago. Thanks to your post... guess what I am doing when I get home. Today was a good day... I learned something more about my tractor.

 

[williekioti]

I have not checked my tire pressures since the tractor was delivered almost a year ago. Thanks to your post... guess what I am doing when I get home. Today was a good day... I learned something more about my tractor.

Anytime someone can learn something useful at my expense, me included, it's a good thing..............................