Clutch chatter

[cleat]

My new DF 254 shudders a but pulling from a stop in any of the high range gears. Is this normal and will it get better as it wears in or worse ?

 

[Rich Waugh]

Tractor clutches aren't really meant to be smooth like a car's clutch. Generally you just let the clutch out rather smartly and away you go - Either all in or all out, but don't try to "feather" it or you'll burn it up in short order. Trying to start out from a stop in 3H or 4H is another prescription for wearing out a clutch. That's what the gears are for.

 

[cleat]

I grew up on a dairy farm using larger tractors that were smoother but likely also heavier. The balky transmissions in those tractors meant starting out in whatever gear you needed to use whatever the load.

I see that the syncro trans in my DF makes upshifting very easy. I was hoping to be able to start out in H1 or H2 more smoothly but it may indeed get better as things loosen up a bit. The shifter and loader controls have gotten better just using it this past weekend.

 

[greg_g]

I see you're on the way to figuring it out yourself. Without the syncro feature, owners just learn the technique of double-clutching to shift up after getting the load moving in a lower gear. You have the advantage of not having to learn double-clutching

//greg//

 

[TTTTTT]

I know yours was dealer prep'd, but wouldn't hurt to do a quick clutch check. The access is easy on the DF's, on the right side above the loader mount left of the starter in the pic ( 4 screws) .Check the fingers are about 2.5 mm or an 1/8 or so from the throw out bearing and that the pedal free play is about 1"- 1 1/2 " before it engages



Dave