MF 135 - Two Stage Clutch... More like a NO STAGE CLUTCH

[slhilbert]

Howdy from a Hoosier!

I am a proud owner of a Massey Ferguson 135, built in 1972. As of this weekend I am having some major clutch issues and am looking for some guidance.

Background, last summer I couldn't get the PTO to kick on with the second stage of the clutch, no matter how much I adjusted the pedal. I ended up just starting the tractor with the PTO engaged to get the job done.

I was out doing some dirt work, opening up a new patch of land and I pressed down on the clutch and I notice the travel on it was greatly reduced and it wouldn't take me out of gear. I figured my clutch pedal had slipped so I went to adjust it. I did the normal adjustment, but still the clutch just will not depress. If I take all of my weight and stand on the clutch I can maybe get it go out of gear.

I am somewhat mechanically inclined and not afraid to tear into this bad boy if need to be but looking for some guidance on what the issue is.

Is there some magic trick to get this thing working without having to split it?

Here is a video I made that shows the issue. Massey Ferguson 135 Clutch Issues - YouTube

Thanks for the Help!
Stuart

 

[shaeff]

Howdy from a Hoosier!

I am a proud owner of a Massey Ferguson 135, built in 1972. As of this weekend I am having some major clutch issues and am looking for some guidance.

Background, last summer I couldn't get the PTO to kick on with the second stage of the clutch, no matter how much I adjusted the pedal. I ended up just starting the tractor with the PTO engaged to get the job done.

I was out doing some dirt work, opening up a new patch of land and I pressed down on the clutch and I notice the travel on it was greatly reduced and it wouldn't take me out of gear. I figured my clutch pedal had slipped so I went to adjust it. I did the normal adjustment, but still the clutch just will not depress. If I take all of my weight and stand on the clutch I can maybe get it go out of gear.

I am somewhat mechanically inclined and not afraid to tear into this bad boy if need to be but looking for some guidance on what the issue is.

Is there some magic trick to get this thing working without having to split it?

Here is a video I made that shows the issue. Massey Ferguson 135 Clutch Issues - YouTube

Thanks for the Help!
Stuart

Hi Stuart,

If your 135 is similar to my 35, there should be a plate on the bottom of the bell housing with 4 large bolts holding it on. Take that plate off and see if there is anything noticeable hanging up inside, obviously make sure the tractor is not running! Is it possible that where the rod goes into the bell housing there is corrosion causing it to bind? Look for obvious things first, and go from there. Have someone operate the clutch pedal with the tractor turned off (and the coil wire removed for safety to prevent accidental starting with you under it!) and keep an eye out for any obvious damage.

Without knowing the specifics of your tractor (transmission type) it's hard to say what's going on, especially since I'm unfamiliar with the 135 although it shares many details with the 35 it seems. Here is a picture from agco parts book online. (type agco parts into google and it should be your first link). Check everything that spins on that clutch pedal cross shaft. You can also see #21, which is the four-bolt bottom plate I mentioned earlier. Maybe this will give you a jumpstart. Good luck!

 

[slhilbert]

Thanks for the response Shaeff. I have the access panel so I will get that taken off (hopefully tomorrow) and see what I got. I will report back. The images look really close to what I have going on.

Stuart

 

[slhilbert]

I took off the access panel last night and what I found was some sort of shaft broken laying on the panel. I had my wife step on the clutch and the plate is moving when the clutch is pressed but doesn't seem to travel near far enough into it. It certainly never compresses. I need to look at diagrams with the name on it so I can better describe what is going on. I don't know what the shaft is or where it belongs but I suspect it is my issue. I am attaching issues of the shaft along with a picture looking into the opening when I removed the pressure plate. Thoughts?

Thank You,
Stuart

 

[zimbo]

That looks like a pin from one of the clutch levers. I think your going to have to split the tractor and check it out.
Also looks like you have an oil leak, there shouldn't be nearly that much oil and grime in there.

Get hold of a good manual, its not that hard to split the tractor, aligning the clutch plates when you put it back can be a pain though.

 

[retro7570]

Been a while since I fooled with one, but the pto clutch has to be adjusted at the pressure plate. Not sure what is going on with trans. clutch,possibly the pin in your pic. came from the pressure plate and locked up a release lever. splitting tractor is your next step.

 

[flusher]

Been a while since I fooled with one, but the pto clutch has to be adjusted at the pressure plate. Not sure what is going on with trans. clutch,possibly the pin in your pic. came from the pressure plate and locked up a release lever. splitting tractor is your next step.

Yep. Once you start finding parts at the bottom of the clutch housing, then you have a tractor splitting job in your future.

Good luck

 

[slhilbert]

Yes, I am mentally preparing myself for splitting the tractor. I have read a few things and watched a few videos so I think it is doable. I just want to make sure I fix everything when I do it. For reference here is what I am looking at to help me.

Yesterday's Tractors - Massey Ferguson 35 (and up) Tractor Assembly Notes
Splitin' a MF 135 for clutch adjustment - Massey Harris & Massey Ferguson Forum - Yesterday's Tractors
Replacing a captive disk in a 2 stage pressure plate - YouTube


I will continue to update.

Thanks,
Stuart

 

[flusher]

Be aware that the oil pan is part of the main structure of the 135 chassis. It's darn heavy. So have the necessary jacks available.

Good luck

 

[redman135]

Before you split the tractor hammer in 2 wedges, 1 on either side of the front axle or the engine will flop to one side when you split the tractor and may fall off the jack.