JD 2040 clutch problems

[dugndeep]

I recently was grading snow with my 2040 and it quit pulling.It has the dual stage clutch.I have had no trouble what-so-ever out of the clutch so don't understand why all of a sudden it would stop pulling.I put it into gear and it tries to move but it's like the clutch isn't engaging all the way.The PTO spins when I put it in gear.Could the center hub have separated from the outer part of the drive clutch?The one good part is it tries to move when in gear so I know the drive shaft & it's spline teeth aren't sheared off.That was my first thought when this happened.
I had just used it the day before for the same purpose but it had gotten down to below 0 degrees that night and maybe had sweated from use,I just don't know.My dad seems to think the diaphragm has cracked or broke in some way and is not letting the pressure plate engage the drive clutch somehow.I reckon I'm going to have to split it into to find out.

 

[Zebrafive]

Have you checked the clutch pedal adjustment? Does it have the correct amount of free play?

 

[dugndeep]

Clutch pedal adjustment is right,free play is right,I did find a little piece of clutch lining just a little piece though.I just can't believe the JD prices.$430 for the drive clutch,aftermarket is $230.Jd pilot bearing is $22 and aftermarket is $9.I've had it apart once before to replace the pilot bearing,that was about 15-16 years ago.This is a 1977 model bought brand new in the spring of 1978.It's been a good tractor,I've replaced the water pump and the pilot bearing and that is it,nothing else has ever gone wrong with it.

 

[Zebrafive]

Since you clutch adjustment is OK, I agree a split is next.

 

[Tx Jim]

Ditto what Zebrafive stated.

 

[dugndeep]

Yow I figured that's what it was leading up to.I'll take a few pics and post them on here when I get to splitting it in half.I don't have no nice shop or garage to do this but my old barn does have a solid rock floor.Since I quit raising burley tobacco about 15 years ago this tractor doesn't see a whole lot of action other than bush hogging and plowing plus the grading part.Not a big rush to get it fixed at the moment unless we get 2 or 3 foot of snow and can't get out.

 

[Zebrafive]

One tip for splitting; block the pivot points of the front axle. You do not want the front half to tip to one side as you split the tractor.

 

[dugndeep]

Thanks for the advice,I'm dreading it already and haven't even started yet.

 

[dugndeep]

I took the little access plate that allows you to grease the throw-out bearing off today and started it up and this coming flying out.

 

[jd110]

It appears the clutch disk has disintegrated. When you last used it and it quit, were you drifting any with clutch pushed in? Situations like pushing up a hill in a low forward gear and then pushing in the clutch and allowing it to drift back down the hill in reverse while transmission is in forward can cause damage such as this.