Deere 6x4 Gator (primary clutch) question...

[Richard]

I've got this Gator. Belonged to wife's cousin next door so I know most of its history. There doesn't seem to be ANY tag on it with a serial number so I'm blind to that question.

Embossed under the passenger seat is what appears to be: W00? (B or 8 or maybe P) X4X073915

Long story short.... the primary clutch needs replaced. Not knowing they are near unobtanium, I (FINALLY) beat the old one off....ordered a new.

Seems the original has a taper in it that fits the taper on the crank shaft. Looks like all the new ones might have a straight shaft, shorter shaft....something is different and they won't fit the tapered shaft version.

I've bought two of these during my journey of finally figuring out the tapered unit is tough to find. I've returned one of the newly bought clutches... I'm still trying to find either the correct tapered clutch OR, maybe a used HALF (all I need) of a primary clutch and I can maybe move parts over from the new unit to an old unit.

Very difficult to find those too!!!

Anyone have any idea where I might find a whole primary clutch, tapered input (doesn't have to work) or, maybe the inner sheave that would fit and I can move the guts over???

I thought this would be a 10 minute fix once the new part arrived and this thing has sat for 2-3 months as I keep looking for the correct part.

I don't know if the dealer has the tapered version, I don't have a serial number to verify....but when I went there, they're asking over $1,000 when you can buy (admittedly the wrong unit) new units on Amazon/other for maybe $200/300. Hard to justify that difference, even if the "off brand" units don't last as long..... Also, who's to say they don't all come from the same factory in china?!!

Any direction from anyone?

 

[beenthere]

You might not get very far with a burr under your saddle.

Gas or diesel?

Doubt the Gator is China made, but maybe the cheaper clutch is that you found.

Try to find what you are looking for in JD parts, or have you already found the part numbers?

Maybe has had an engine replacement with different crank configuration?

 

[Richard]

The replacement clutches I've found (which area not the correct fit) seem to be from China. No idea if other locations make them or not. So far, it seems I need a serial number of my gator to be sure about replacement part.....and there is no tags at all (all I have is that embossed number on the frame under seat).

Looking them up on Amazon type place, Seems there are several part numbers for what visually, appears to be the same thing. I'm beginning to suspect the difference might be the mounting method... (by the way, this is gas unit, Kawasaki engine)

I actually thought about engine replacement and if I were to be honest, I'd prefer a diesel.... but if I'm going to step up to that (not knowing if I even could) I might rather start looking for a whole unit and just sell this putting proceeds to new one.

My goal several years ago was to get to 100% diesel, other than chainsaw....and got there until this landed in my driveway. (tractor, backhoe, lawn mower, all diesel)

 

[Richard]

Might add.... I've reached out to some of these sellers to ask if it would fit a tapered drive.... and that has been a major fail. Nobody can put eyes on it...nobody cares to check... it's "order it and return if it doesn't work"

sigh...

 

[Richard001]

Your local machine shop can put the taper in your new clutch.

 

[joecdeere]

Serial number is
W006X4073015

Clutch on engine is tapered, the one on transmission is straight

I have a technical manual in PDF that you’re welcome to, if wanted, shoot me your email in a message

 

[RandyT]

I am coming up with part number AM140986 which from the picture I have seen looks like a taper fit since there is no keyway.

 

[garry1p]

JD clutch for the Gator is a known problem.
My son has one and he sent his clutch to someone that advertises he rebuilds the clutch with his designed modification.
So far it works OK I think he sent it somewhere in Texas, turn around was pretty quick.
I think he found the guy on the JD Gator forum.

 

[Richard]

My issue (primarily) is, before I realized how rare these seem to be, and I knew I was going to replace it, I took it to the recycle center....after all, I had a new one on the way.

Oops.

Seems that was a mistake.

 

[Richard001]

My issue (primarily) is, before I realized how rare these seem to be, and I knew I was going to replace it, I took it to the recycle center....after all, I had a new one on the way.

Oops.

Seems that was a mistake.

Don't throw things away, keep them, never know when you might need it.