John Deere 302 Reverser or Clutch

gforcejunkie · Oct 11, 2017

Hi, my John Deere 302 with reverser recently started having issues with clutch or reverser slipping. My tractor started acting like the clutch was slipping when I was grading my back lot. I can put it in forward or reverse and it wants to go however it can only move on flat land and no matter how fast the rpm's are, the amount it grabs is the same. With the clutch engaged, it will not stall the engine. I have replaced both the reverser brake and clutch piston seals and seam to have not helped. I replaced all of the springs within the reverser unit and that didn't help. I don't want to say that it is the main clutch because that only has 12 hours on it. Does anyone have any other ideas?

jd110 · Oct 11, 2017

Have you checked reverser system pressures for forward and reverse? If you have good pressure and still have slippage, then it most likely the main clutch in flywheel is slipping. Do you have any oil leaking in clutch housing area? You mentioned clutch was replaced 12 hours ago. Was the pressure plate replaced as well? A new clutch and pressure plate should last many 100's of hours if installed properly and used by a good operator. An inexperienced operator can destroy a clutch in minutes. Also possible you got defective or poor quality parts. Unfortunately in today's world, many replacement parts are made of inferior materials from obscure countries. Did tractor operate properly immediately after main clutch was replaced?

Tx Jim · Oct 12, 2017

Ditto on checking reverser pressures. Does clutch pedal have any free travel before throw-out brg contacts PP fingers?

gforcejunkie · Oct 12, 2017

Thank you for the help. I ended up looking in to the clutch housing with a borescope while it was in gear and could see the main clutch was slipping. hopefully this will be the last time i have to open it up.