Jinma 284 Clutch Problems

[gpmorin]

I致e had this Jinma 284 for several years, although am still learning how to maintain and fix. The tractor is used to move material around, and plow (rear mounted blade) in the winter.

I recently started the tractor after sitting for several months. I depressed the clutch, and put it in gear (reverse). The gears gave a quick grinding sound, and immediately started to reverse. I popped it out of gear with clutch pedal still depressed and it stopped. I tried again, this time ensuring the pedal was fully depressed - same result.

I致e been looking around the web including here. I started thinking a clutch adjustment was in order. I moved it in low/low (no grinding sound when I shift) into the garage, disconnected the loader and removed the left loader bracket. I can see the clutch adjusters. I did some more reading, then more inspection. Prior to adjusting the clutch with the three adjusters, I decided to eliminate most of the play in the pedal using the turnbuckle thinking this would further release the clutch plate - no joy.

Back to the reading... A question on one of the forums asked about the PTO. With the tractor in neutral, I move the PTO lever to ENG, and release the clutch - no movement on the PTO. This is the same in both speed ranges.

So, I知 am convinced I don稚 know what is happening. Any thoughts or requests for more info?

The forum members here have been very helpful in the past. Thanks in advance!

Gpm

 

[Roadworthy]

If you have a live clutch or a two stage clutch it could still be an adjustment issue. Try to find adjustment instructions in an owners' manual.

 

[piper184]

You didn't say what year your tractor is so this is based off of my 2006 284.
With the PTO engaged and the clutch released the PTO should be locked up. You should not be able to turn it by hand. If you can turn it, either the speed selector is in neutral or there is something wrong in the PTO system.
The most likely problem with your clutch is that the disc(s) is stuck to the flywheel of the clutch plate. Stepping on the pedal is working as it is supposed to but the disc is not releasing, most likely some rust.
Try watching the disc/plate assembly while slowly applying the clutch pedal. You should see the plate move away from the flywheel and hopefully release the disc. The plate doesn't move very far so watch closely. You can put the transmission in gear and jack up the left rear wheel. That way you can turn the wheel by hand while watching the clutch assembly and see what is going on.
Usually a stuck plate can be broke loose if it is just lightly rusted, assuming the plate is sufficiently releasing the disc.
I don't know what you have for manuals but go to my website where I have posted some documentation on the 284. The clutch adjustment is shown starting on page 28 of the first file listed there. The second file as procedures for both two and single stage clutches starting on page 22.
Harnerfarm Jinma 284
Getting the PTO (second stage) clutch adjusted can be a pain so I would start by working on the main clutch, once that is working properly you can tackle the PTO clutch.
Of course the manual says you should adjust the clutch on a fixture, whatever that is. That would require breaking the tractor apart and removing the clutch. For me that is a last ditch effort but something we all face eventually as clutches do simply wear out and have to be replaced.

 

[gpmorin]

I will get the year this evening (traveling today). I believe it is a two stage clutch, and yes - I have the owners manual. I will update with what I find.

Thanks!

 

[gpmorin]

I will confirm if I can rotate the PTO with tractor not running and PTO engaged.

I did try to observe the plate releasing - it did not look like it was releasing, although the forks appear to be pushing/disengaging the plate.

Suggestions on un-freezing the plate from the flywheel? This does sound like what I have happening.

I will check your site and report my findings.

Thank you!

 

[piper184]

I would check to make sure the pressure plate is backing off from the flywheel all the way around. This means you have to check what you can see through the access hole, then rotate the engine a few degrees and check again. Once you have determined that the clutch plate is releasing completely then you can proceed.
An easy method to try and break the disc free from the plate is to jack up the left rear wheel, tie the clutch pedal forward and put the transmission in gear. Then rock the rear wheel back and forth to try and pop the disc free from the plate.
If that does not work you might try pulling the tractor in gear with another vehicle while holding the clutch pedal down. Hopefully that will put enough torque on the disc and it will come free without damage.
Other than that you might try a little heat on the clutch plate. Maybe getting it to expand a little will help. If still no go, you are probably looking at splitting the tractor to get the clutch pack out.
Best of luck to you.

 

[piper184]

Oops, I see that you said it did NOT appear to be releasing.
In that case I would adjust the clutch pedal so that you get maximum travel of the throw out bearing. Tie the clutch pedal as far forward as you can and try to pry the plate away from the flywheel. Maybe gently tapping on it all the way around as you go.

 

[RonMar]

If it is not fully disengaging, one of 2 things is possibly happening.

1. The friction disc is sticking to the clutch plate/flywheel.
2. Something has happened to cause the pedal depression to not fully move the final linkage on the clutch pack. I had a roll pin go bad where the clutch linkage/lever connects to the rod that goes thru the case. The lever made its normal movement but the rod that passes thru the case only rotated about 50% of the distance the lever end did.

As mentioned, you will probably have to access the clutch thru the side covers. If you have a front end loader, you may have to partially disassemble it as loaders are often connected to the tractor where the side covers are, covering the access hole.

 

[gpmorin]

Updates:

The tractor is an AG-BOSS 284. It looks like it was transferred to the original dealer in October 2004 - I have some of the original transfer paperwork. I am the third owner.

I've posted a video that may help: AG BOSS 284 Clutch Not Disengaging - YouTube

This shows what I am seeing thru the access hole while depressing the clutch pedal. I am not sure what the clutch plate is. There is movement of the linkage, however I am not seeing any plate moving. Any clarification on what I'm seeing would be helpful.

Next I will try jacking the left rear wheel and turning to try to pop it loose.

Thanks for all the help! Keep it coming.

Gpm

 

[piper184]

Hopefully the attached picture goes through. The top red line is the main clutch pressure plate. The black line is the clutch cover which is not supposed to move, the bottom red line is the main clutch disc and the bottom blue line is the fixed pressure plate. You can see these items in the clutch drawing in the manual.
It would appear your throw out bearing is moving properly and far enough. You can see the release lever (fingers) pulling the main plate away from the flywheel end. This is proper and it appears to be moving far enough that it should release the disc. Looking at the disc my guess is that there is a little rust sticking the disc to the fixed pressure plate.
Hopefully it is not too bad and you can break it loose either by rocking the rear wheel with the clutch pedal tied forward or perhaps towing it with another vehicle.
Don't try hitting or prying on the disc and also don't use any type of rust penetrate or solvent. You might try (with the clutch pedal tied down) tapping on the edge of the fixed pressure plate. You may have to manually turn the engine over slowly and tap all the way around.

 

[gpmorin]

Success!

The picture came thru fine. So - after studying this picture and the cutaway view in the manual (for a long time), I determined that in fact the clutch disc was stuck. I tried jacking the left rear wheel and popping it free by rotating the wheel while in gear and pedal tied down. No luck there. My next move was to cut a wood dowel to fit in against the clutch disc (main clutch driven plate in the cutaway view). There is a slight groove in the disc that allowed me to tap away from the pressure plate. Doing this around the disc (manually rotating the engine) eventually popped it loose!!!

@piper184 - you have been exceptionally helpful with the details - thanks!

As usual, the forum members have guided me off the ledge (separating the tractor is not in the cards for now). I appreciate the help.

So I don't think I will let the tractor sit for extended periods going forward. I have a couple more repairs (minor) and plan on running the 1000 hour maintenance schedule.

Thank you!

Gpm

 

[Bob Rooks]

So I don't think I will let the tractor sit for extended periods going forward.

As I have previously stated many times, just tie or block the clutch pedal down when you are storing for extended periods. Storing inside or under cover (not tarps, that's really bad) will help a lot too. You want to eliminate as much condensation as possible.

 

[gpmorin]

Good advise. It lives under a shed roof. I now have an loop to keep the pedal depressed when parked.

Thanks all,

Gpm

 

[RonMar]

Being suspect of chines metallurgy in this level of manufacture, I don't know that I would recommend keeping the clutch pressure plate springs compressed for an extended length of time... they are disc springs and might not keep their compressive force... just use it regularly, you should really be running the engine and mixing up the oil in the gearboxes regularly anyway. also make sure the drain hole at the bottom of the housing is clear to allow any water to drain out if any finds its way in there.

Looking at your video, it looks like your clutch may be a little out of adjustment also. The 3 levers lift the primary pressure plate to free the main disc(drives trans via hollow outer shaft)which is sandwiched between the primary and secondary pressure plates. The other 3 outer bolts on the housing pass thru the primary plate and you will see they have slack in them. As the primary plate lifts, the slack is taken out and eventually the primary plate lifts the secondary plate. The secondary pressure plate sandwiches the secondary disc(drives PTO via inner shaft)between its inner/forward surface and the back of the flywheel. It was hard to see, but it didnt look like the secondary pressure plate was being lifted very far.

Set properly the trans should fully disengage by 1/2 pedal travel and the PTO should disengage as you reach full pedal. Set like this you can shift gears and drive the tractor without ever disengaging the PTO.