JD 420 clutch issue

exedman · Oct 21, 2018

Hi all....

After brush hogging with my JD 420, I went to park it and had no clutch...period.

The pedal feels totally disconnected...no resistance.

If it's the connecting linkage, will this require splitting the tractor to reconnect?

Any suggestions appreciated.

John

mddorange · Oct 21, 2018

If it's the connecting linkage, will this require splitting the tractor to reconnect? NO.

exedman · Oct 21, 2018

Hi...

I'm guessing that you access the linkage through the plate that has the gear shifting lever.

John

beenthere · Oct 21, 2018

To confirm, this is the 420 tractor 2-cyl.. which model ?,
and is it a two-stage clutch?

Look up the clutch connection views for parts. If I recall correctly, the clutch connect on my 420U was not reachable through the gear top cover. But never needed to work on it the years that I owned it.. 1976-1998

This .pdf may help..
http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/pdfs/PC0505.pdf

exedman · Oct 21, 2018

Hi....

It's a 420 W and it has a 2 stage clutch.

John

Tx Jim · Oct 23, 2018

exedman said:
Hi...

I'm guessing that you access the linkage through the plate that has the gear shifting lever.

John

John
Clutch linkage on a JD 420 2 cyl utility tractor ""can not be accessed"" by removing gear shift cover.

Tx Jim · Oct 23, 2018

1st thing I suggest to check is position of adjusting cam(key 15) which by rotation of cam adjusts free travel of clutch pedal. Cam is located in clutch housing or torque tube. My next guess is throw-out brg wore off the ends of pressure plate fingers

exedman · Oct 25, 2018

Tx Jim said:
1st thing I suggest to check is position of adjusting cam(key 15) which by rotation of cam adjusts free travel of clutch pedal. Cam is located in clutch housing or torque tube. My next guess is throw-out brg wore off the ends of pressure plate fingers

Hi TxJim.....

You were absolutely correct!!!!!

The jam nut on the clutch adjustment had worked loose and it took me 30 seconds to get my clutch back!!!

I have owned the tractor for 30 years and have never touched this adjustment. I use this tractor as my backup because I can use it for my 6 foot snowblower on my 2200 foot driveway here in northern Vermont. Some winters we get many feet of snow.....sometimes 2 or 3 feet in a storm.

Thank you ever so much for your expertise......

I owe you....

Take care,

John