Help w/clutch use on Hydro TC33DA

[Buckee]

I carried this over here from the main "Operating" section because I need NH-specific advice. My TC33 Hydro has a clutch, which according to the NH manual is to be utilized anytime the drivetrain is shifted to/from hi, mid, lo range or neutral (and also when engaging PTO). My NH dealer insists it's wasted effort, the clutch has no effect on the drivetrain shifting process & is only for PTO. I tried it his way & all seems to work fine, but after going back & rereading the manual, it clearly says to use it for drivetrain shifts. Replies on the other thread have me thinking the dealer is right (PTO only), but why does the manual say otherwise? Thanks

 

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

We only use the clutch when engaging the pto........nothing grinds on the trans range changes............as long as the hydro pedal is in neutral..........I've never changed ranges while moving.........perhaps that's where you "might" need the clutch ?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif 2003 TC33D.............Tom

 

[jinman]

Tom, even if you depress the clutch while moving, the geartrain will still be rotating because of the wheels turning. It will probably still grind.

I think the only time you really need to use the clutch is for a soft engagment of the PTO on the Class II tractors and others with a clutch. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> I've never changed ranges while moving.........</font>
The Operator's Manual specifically says not to do this. Page 2-12 in my book.

BTW, my manual says the same thing, the HST pedal must be in the Neutral position and the clutch depressed when changing the HST range. Hmm, learn something new every day. I've never done it and never heard any grinding. Like the others, I use the clutch for the PTOs (rear and mid) and when engaging/disengaging 4wd.

 

[DUMBDOG]

On my 1630 we use the clutch for all range changes and for the PTO, when changing ranges even with the clutch it is hard to shift the ranges, one of these days will have to make an adjustment. Sometimes do not use the clutch to disengage the PTO.

 

[RickB]

There is no adjustment for your symptom. DO NOT depress the clutch while making range shifts. Stop the tractor, shift range lever. If you can't engage the range you want, let the tractor roll slightly to line up the gears, or with the engine at idle lightly tap the hydro pedal to align the range gears. Depressing the clutch with the hydro pedal in neutral accomplishes nothing except preventing you from "rolling" the transmission to line up the range gears.

 

[Roto]

I agree completely!! Wasted time depressing clutch for range shifts. Need it only for pto.

Mike

 

[DUMBDOG]

Thanks.

 

[drm]

RickB,

I agree that it is easier to line-up gears when the range selector will not engage smoothly as stated. But, like the original question my dealer said not to use the clutch to select the range and the manual states to use it. Why? What does engaging the clutch accomplish if anything? I am ASSUMING that NH has a reason for their advice in the manual.

BTW, I use the clutch unless the range selector does not engage then tap the hydro pedal (with out using the clutch). This has seemed like wasted effort to me.

…Derek

 

[jinman]

After 20 years in the training and technical manual business, I can tell you that manuals are written by technical writers. Many of these don't have a clue even what they are writing about, much less how to operate it. Mistakes are made very often without a subject matter expert (SME) noticing what has been written. Before you can get it corrected, that text has been duplicated a bazillion times in other references and the wrong info spreads like a virus.

I don't know if this is what happened in New Holland's manuals, but I'd take RickB as my tractor SME on this one. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif