CK35 Burned Out It's Clutch AGAIN?!

[k0ua]

I don't know abut Kiot's, (my Kioti does not have a clutch) but the Kubota it replaced had a clutch and the manual said to use the hold down pin to pin the clutch in the dis-engaged position if you were storing it for a length of time. And the OP is definitely storing his tractor for a "Long time"

 

[rademamj1]

You can see the major concerns in the tractor forums, going back to even 2001, regarding clutch position and long term tractor storage. It certainly was the focus of many comments, documenting clutch seizure and clutch binding from even as little as 18 months storage.

clutch lockout for storage - Yesterday's Tractors

I have noticed that on my Kubota and on an '80s era Iseki-built White tractor I was working on, there is a latch so you can lock the clutch pedal pres

www.yesterdaystractors.com

But as the industry moved more into HST tractors, owners and operators got away from using the best practices to avoid clutch seizure. It's almost forgotten now how to prepare a tractor clutch for long term non usage.

 

[k0ua]

The first thing I would want to know is WHY did the clutch "burn up". What happened to it? This problem needs analysis by a competent mechanic. A hypothesis needs to be formed and action taken to prevent the same thing happening in the future. You KNOW for a fact that Kioti clutches are manufactured to last many thousands of hours under normal usage. You have proof of that right here on this forum. Why didn't yours last? That question needs to be answered. Your answer of "These Kioti's must not be any good" and "I will just trade off this problem for a better brand" is flawed. Kioti's are excellent tractors with excellent engineering. But any tractor can have a problem, but you need to find out what the problem is before making any rash decisions. This is just my advice and you are free to ignore it of course.

 

[sd455dan]

Any tractor will require to be split in half to replace the clutch. It's just the nature of it.

This is not a manufacturer issue. Could happen to any brand. It's a lack of use issue.

As others said, HST might be a good option for you, although, given the amount of hours that tractor has seen, I wonder at what point you really need the tractor. I don't want to sound rude or anything like that.

"Any tractor will require to be split in half to replace the clutch. It's just the nature of it."

Almost universally true - I do know Nuffield and Leyland tractors had a feature for that.
Some of their models can in fact be clutch R and R'd without a split.

 

[coobie]

I last posted in 2012 about this same issue so I just wanted to post again to warn future buyers of small Kioti tractors that my model stinks. Here's a synopsis: in 2012, my 2009 CK35 had 122 hours on it when it suddenly stopped moving. Turned out the clutch shredded itself but it was under warranty so it was a free repair job. Fast forward 8+ years later and my tractor now has a whopping 235 hours on it. But sadly, the clutch burned up in it today, AGAIN! And no, I do not ride the clutch. I've had stick shifts for 46 years and my 25 year old truck still has its original clutch! Anyway, unfortunately, this time I have to pay the repair bill. So, I am just going to bite the bullet and trade it in on a John Deere or Kubota, which is what I should have bought to begin with! So any thoughts from anyone on which tractor is decidedly better or is it pretty much just a toss up? Thanks for any input.

Operator error maybe riding the clutch pedal? Are you only one using the tractor?

 

[RandyT]

The first thing I would want to know is WHY did the clutch "burn up". What happened to it? This problem needs analysis by a competent mechanic. A hypothesis needs to be formed and action taken to prevent the same thing happening in the future. You KNOW for a fact that Kioti clutches are manufactured to last many thousands of hours under normal usage. You have proof of that right here on this forum. Why didn't yours last? That question needs to be answered. Your answer of "These Kioti's must not be any good" and "I will just trade off this problem for a better brand" is flawed. Kioti's are excellent tractors with excellent engineering. But any tractor can have a problem, but you need to find out what the problem is before making any rash decisions. This is just my advice and you are free to ignore it of course.

If the Operator isn't riding the clutch I would be concerned about a clutch alignment issue or flexing of the tractor frame allowing misalignment.

 

[Everhard]

I'll second what KOua said - my Kioti has a hook to hold the clutch when it's not in use and my manual states to always use it when the tractor isn't used. Not a big deal if you're using the tractor daily but if it's parked for any length of time it would be very important to use.
Second to that is improper adjustment - that would be the same as riding the clutch.
E.

 

[fried1765]

Well I have 780 hours now on my CK4010 and no clutch issues. I will say that non usage is detrimental to clutch longevity. The same thing goes for slip clutches in most rotary cutters and other implements, with 18 months of not being used, it's prone to binding and increasing failure rates. These equipment last longer when being used.

"non usage is detrimental to clutch longevity"
Really?
I keep tractor clutches "blocked".

My 1951 8N only got a new clutch because of an engine rebuild.
My 1989 Ford 1920 still has the original clutch.
The 8N is used every 3-5 years for an hour or two.
The 1920 has been used 30 hours over the last 6 years.

 

[ruffdog]

If the tractor is not used much, maybe the linkage pivots are sticky or rusted. That would keep the clutch from fully engaging as if a person was "riding" the clutch.

 

[k0ua]

Second to that is improper adjustment - that would be the same as riding the clutch.

I really have to wonder about that 60 hour clutch adjustment.