Isekei Pressure Plate Problem

[Geoff1]

I have a TA550 purchased from new in about the mid 90s. In October 2003, one of the bolts holding the pressure plate sheared off. All three bolts were replaced. Same thing happened in Nov 2004, again all replaced. Now, incredibly, the same thing has happened again. Ridiculous. What is going on? My local agent doesn't seem to know why. Any help greatly and urgently appreciated. (Each time this has happened I have been mowing or mulching; come to the end of a row and the tractor keeps going with the clutch disengaged). Have done about 3000 hours.

 

[lens12]

3 bolts doesn't sound like enough to bolt a pressure plate to a flywheel. Are there any alignment pins?

 

[corelokt308win]

My only thought would be to make sure their grade 8, hardened bolts.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I'm trying to think what would put enough pressure on this plate to shear the bolts. There's really nothing short of the springs for the clutch that puts any pressure on this plate...Is there?

Have you ever had it replaced? Is it the right plate? If you've had your clutch rebuilt, someone may have put springs in the pressure plate that were too strong.

If I'm thinking too far out of the box feel free to put me back in my place.

 

[Geoff1]

Thanks for the advice & sorry about the delay in replying. Everything is the same from new with respect to the pressure plate & clutch. After having discussed it all with my mechanic, the only conclusion appears to be that the supplied bolts are faulty. Hence a new set of bolts have been machined up and the middle spring of each set of 7 x 3 springs has been removed as an extra safeguard. The clutch is now a little softer but seems to work fine. So we have tried something new! Thanks again for all the replies. I shall now have a go at the supplier of the parts.