Dry clutch completely rusted out

MaltbyMower · May 18, 2005

I bought a Kubota L4350 MDT tractor last year. The previous owner reported that he just changed the clutch. I was guilt ridden this spring when my clutch started slipping. Had I destroyed a clutch in less than a year? I thought I was very conscious over the last year to make sure I wasn't riding the clutch. Well, I ordered a 2 stage pack over the phone ($1,200) and proceeded to split my tractor. When I got it separated, it was covered in rust. The stack was so rusted the beville washers would not sandwich the clutch plates. I took a die grinder with a wire wheel and cleaned everything, sprayed it with SPL100 (not the clutches) until everything is silky smooth. Here is the question, is there anything I can do to keep this from rusting again? I saw 2 drain holes in the bottom of my bell housing, one was very rusty and sure did not drain well and the second was plugged with a cotter pin. Should I put in a vent at the top of the bell house (considering heat rises) along with cleaning the bottom two holes? How big a vent could I drill without compromising the structural integrity of the bell housing?
Obviously Kubota knows about the problem, the shop manual mentions cleaning the rust in several solutions in the clutch trouble shooting section.
BTW, the tractor dealer has a 25% restock fee on my returned clutch, ouch. Wish he would have told me that on the phone.

normde2001 · May 18, 2005

Does your tractor sit out in the weather? If so, I would definitely make other arrangements.

slowrev · May 18, 2005

Norm has the right idea, keep it out of the rain.
Ben

MaltbyMower · May 19, 2005

Yes, I'm think about the attached barn, but that is a $40,000 solution, until then, I'm hoping for some help before I put this bad boy back together this weekend.
Like I mentioned, I applied ProLong SPL100 to all the surfaces (minus contact surfaces) should I have painted instead? Should I install a screen on the side pop out thats used to grease the throw out bearing? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

slowrev · May 19, 2005

I am not familiar with the SPL100 stuff, but whatever you use must stick tight and not sling out onto the clutch facings or you will ruin them. Paint would interfere with the clutch operation I would think the bellview washers/springs would just scrape the paint off and it would wind up on the facings as well. Perhaps some of the rust converter stuff ?
You might want to consider a tarp cover till you can get it under a roof. If you ues a tarp put plastic under the tractor as well to keep the moisture from rising up from the ground and condensing on the underside of the cover tarp and tractor.
Ben

RickB · May 19, 2005

Shouldn't cost 40K to cover the tractor with a roof. Paint isn't the answer, as some close fitting parts must move some, and paint won't help that. Block the pedal down when the tractor is sitting.

MaltbyMower · May 19, 2005

I don't have problem with the clutch disk rusting to the contact surface, I have a problem with the entire clutch and clutch housing rusting.
I think my biggest question is whether or not I can drill a hole for a vent in the casing and how big.
BTW, my property is very open and whatever I build has to look good. Might not be 40K, but it can't be a tarp. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

RickB · May 21, 2005

I understand your problem. The two stage clutch has pressure plates with tabs that are closely fitted to slots in the clutch cover. The plates must move apart and together to function. Paint won't help in these areas. Rust on any area of the clutch not involved with the friction surfaces or other areas of movement and contact simply is an annoyance and really does little or no harm. You need to keep the moisture out, period. Venting is a band aid, if you go that route, be sure to keep vermin out.

normde2001 · May 22, 2005

"BTW, my property is very open and whatever I build has to look good. Might not be 40K, but it can't be a tarp."

Why not a tarp? even a trashbag over the bellhousing would work.

MaltbyMower · May 24, 2005

First, a deep apology to slowrev, I think I wrote out the response before even noticing the tarp comment. I work in the fast paced computer industry and at times get ahead of myself. I think half the folks on this forum would be surprised how much of windows I own for servicing while half the folks here at microsoft are surprised that I can split a tractor.
Needless to say, I got the tractor back together and it runs great! I think wrapping the bell housing with a tarp is a great idea.
SPL 100 is a Pro Long product. My father is rep for the company and has a demonstration, sprays the plug of a drill and the end of an extension cord, plugs them together and then drops them in a bucket of water. To my surprise, he doesn't get shocked while running the drill.