clutch smell in new mx5400

[Dr.colonel]

approaching 50 hours and that occasional smell of a slipping clutch continues. apparently not just 'new' tractor smell at this point?? plus have seen some fluid drip since new underneath not sure where from and wondering if this is a wet clutch type thing. my old truck I understand this new tractor while I love it has me worried

advise please

Col.

 

[Tx Jim]

Welcome to TBN
According to MX5400DT parts catalog your tractor has a dry traction clutch. Does traction clutch operating pedal have any free travel? Have you contacted your dealer? Most clutch replacements aren't covered under warranty because clutches are classified as a "normal wear item".

 

[Roadworthy]

I believe you should have about an inch of free play with your clutch. Check the adjustment and adjust if necessary. If it is adjusted correctly you obviously have other issues - like it's slipping. The leak is also a concern. Get with your dealer and Jim is correct - there is no warranty on the clutch. Still, with fifty hours this is not a normal thing.

 

[Username Taken]

Is your clutch hydraulic or mechanical?

If it's hydraulic, check the master/slave cylinders for leaks.

 

[5030]

Get it to the dealer and let him deal with it.

 

[BubbaJr]

It sounds like the leaking fluid may be causing the clutch to slip.

Joe

 

[rScotty]

The leak you describe is not normal. Neither is the smell.

First of all, I assume you have a manual 8 speed syncro shuttle transmission with a manual foot clutch. Is this right?

Where is the leak? Is if from the weep hole in the center bottom of the bell housing? The bell housing is a roughly bell shaped structure a few feet across that connects the back of the engine to the transmission. It houses the clutch.

There are three possible sources of leakage within the bell housing, and they all need to be addressed by a professional mechanic. They will not fix themselves, they need to be fixed, and with only 50 hours they should be completely warranty work by the dealer.
You need for the dealer to see it now, and for him to write it up.

rScotty - an old retired mechanic & mech e.

 

[5030]

Is your clutch hydraulic or mechanical?

If it's hydraulic, check the master/slave cylinders for leaks.

Never seen a Kubota with a hydraulically actuated church unless it's a hydraulic shuttle and that isn't in the bellhousing anyway. It's in the transmission case.

 

[rScotty]

Never seen a Kubota with a hydraulically actuated church unless it's a hydraulic shuttle and that isn't in the bellhousing anyway. It's in the transmission case.

Do you agree that it sounds like a problem with his main clutch? Traditionally, that would be the foot linkage type of dry plate manual foot clutch in the bell housing....

Or does the MX5400 have a completely different type of clutch and therfore no dry clutch in the bellhousing at all?

Either way, I say it shouldn't be leaking or smelling at 50 hours. That indicates possible seal problem to me, and there is little or nothing that an operator could have done to cause a seal on a new machine to go out like that. So if that is what it is, it's warranty time. A simple job, but requires a shop, special skills, and is time-consuming.