Clutch problems on Farmtrac 320dtc

rox29160 · Aug 23, 2010

I have a 2004 Farmtrac 320 dtc, in which the "clutch adjusting bolts" (the bolts that the release bearing rides on) keep shearing off. This will be the third time I have had to replace the bolts since I have had it. I bought the tractor used, but it only has about 400 hours on it total. Once we replace the bolts, they last about 50 hours of runtime. This will be about a year in my case since I only use this tractor to cut my grass, but it is a huge pain breaking the tractor in half to replace three bolts. The mechanic says the clutch looks almost brand new and the release bearing seems to be fine, as well. I also have a larger tractor that I use for farming and for heavier duty work that I have never had any problems with so I don't think it is my clutch operating skills. If anything, I am way harder on the other tractor's clutch, spinning around at the end of rows and such.
If I can find a new release bearing, I am thinking about replacing it while we have the tractor broke down. Anybody got any ideas on what could be causing them to shear like this? Any help is greatly appreciated.

trac · Aug 23, 2010

Replace the release bearing and use the original bolts in the fingers, all OEM. Don't use bolts out of some hardware store. They are not the same strength as OEM. Trac

rox29160 · Aug 23, 2010

Thanks for the reply Trac. I haven't been able to get the bolts from the dealers in the past, but I haven't been getting them from a hardware store either. The dealers all tell me the only way to get the bolts is with a clutch rebuild kit, which before I didn't think I needed. That may be the answer though. Now I'm thinking that maybe the clutch is the culprit and has weak springs on one side or something. I have been ordering the bolts from Ag Parts, Ltd out of Iowa. I think they are Grade 8 bolts with the rounded heads. I am planning on replacing the release bearing while we are in there just to try something a little different. The release bearing is only about $80. Its a little harder to put a new clutch in it (in the neighborhood of $850 the last time I checked) when I'm told the clutch looks to be in good shape. I'm at my wits end with this tractor at this point.

cook96cbra · Aug 24, 2010

Just wondering.... Would it be possible to do something different all together? Like have a "ring" milled that would bolt down in the place of the rounded bolts, reccess the bolts and have a ring that the throw-out rides on. Can you invision what I'm talking about? If the bolts are prone to breaking, make it stronger somehow????

rox29160 · Aug 24, 2010

I think I understand what you are saying, but exactly how to go about doing it is a little different story. I don't see why it wouldn't work. I thought about just getting a machine shop to make me some higher grade bolts, maybe grade 12 or so. I helped the mechanic break the tractor down last night. To my surprise the bolts were not sheared off this time, two of them had worked their way loose (one completely out) This is the first time for this. A little Locktite may have fixed that problem. The other two times the bolts were as tight as the day we put them in, they just shear off. We are sending the clutch off to get it re-built this time to make sure it is not something in the clutch itself causing the problem. The people rebuilding it know what we have been dealing with so they are supposedly going to check everything over not just replace the pads.