Need direction on unsticking clutch on John Deere 870

[scofield1702]

JD 870 sat up unused in super wet weather for several months, cranked it up Sunday and couldn't get it to go into gear. No grinding, just cannot force the stick into gear. Didn't take long poking around TBN to diagnose the problem - symptoms match a number of folks whose clutches rusted to the pressure plates during storage. Solution that seems to have worked for some is to go in through a small inspection plate (right side, just inside and forward of the brake) with a long screwdriver and free up the clutch by leveraging it apart.

I have located and opened the inspection plate. I stand ready with a flashlight and a long, stout screwdriver. I would be deeply indebted if someone could give me very explicit instructions about where to stick this screwdriver and apply pressure.

It's all greek to me in there. My understanding of how a clutch works is rudimentary at best, a fact I am learning the hard way I guess... I have already tried two separate sessions of sticking it in different places and applying pressure with no luck. I suspect that I am not giving it enough oomph, but I am hesitant to really go to town until I know for sure that I am applying pressure to the correct spot.

A photo would be ideal. It being such a dark, tight spot, I reckon it would be a hard thing to photograph. Lacking that, a detailed description from someone who actually understands how all those parts fit together. Even better from someone who has performed this particular maneuver before on this (or similar) tractor.

Thanks

 

[Leejohn]

Never heard of doing that before, and I don't think a screw driver well get it. If it is in a place that you can start it in gear, just start in gear and drive around hitting the brake alittle now and then. That always done it for me. You might have someone pull you while in N. not fast and not a long ways, go easy.

 

[Grouseguy]

Lol ….he was lot of help

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I've unstuck a few...

First thing I do is block the clutch pedal down with a piece of 2x4... Then I put a chain between the tractor and a pickup or another HEAVY tractor, then I start the stuck tractor in gear and pull the PU. I have the PU driver ride the brakes and make the stuck tractor work HARD and after a bit I ride the tractor brakes too.

Eventually the flywheel will get hot, and the rust will let go. It may take a while, don't give up early, you need work it hard to get the needed heat!

Works EVERY time for me.

SR

 

[sandman2234]

I have unstuck the clutch in a Cletrac crawler several times. With it you are basically disengaging the pressure plate from the flywheel and clutch disc. Unless you are mechanically inclined and understand what you are forcing, you would be better off to do what the others are describing, which is start in gear and work it. Be careful of how you attach to the tractor because you could cause issues if not hooked up correctly. Also make sure the kill switch is operating correctly!
David from jax

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Yep, I'd push the clutch pedal down and keep it down while I drove it. Hit the accelerator and let off, just vary speed, hit brakes. You may have to tie it to a truck and drag the truck to get the clutch free.

That screw driver trick may work but you need to have the pedal down. The clutch needs to be in release position so screw driver can release it.

 

[Grouseguy]

It’s scary apparently someone actually knows a person that would try to release a clutch by methods described “without depressing the clutch pedal open!!! because it’s mentioned more than once …. I just assumed no one would do that…. LOL

 

[5030]

Chain it to a stout tree by the drawbar, put it in a high gear (engine off) depress the clutch pedal, start the motor (throttled up a bit) and hang on. When it gets to the end of the chain, it will break loose. Done it a few times, always works and why neither of my tractors have clutches. I really dislike dry clutches.

 

[ultrarunner]

Happens a lot with antique cars put up for a long time.

So far every Model A was freed starting and driving around the ring with clutch depressed while goosing the throttle.

 

[rScotty]

Never heard of doing that before, and I don't think a screw driver well get it. If it is in a place that you can start it in gear, just start in gear and drive around hitting the brake alittle now and then. That always done it for me. You might have someone pull you while in N. not fast and not a long ways, go easy.

Yep. That screwdrive trick never worked for me either. I always try it, but just like everyone I know it ends up with trailering it somewhere you can drive around safely, rock it back and forth to pull start it, and then drive around while using the clutch cautiously and hoping that it will loosen up. Most do. Big trees help. Just like LeeJohn & 5030 say.
rScotty

 

[Tx Jim]

Chain it to a stout tree by the drawbar, put it in a high gear (engine off) depress the clutch pedal, start the motor (throttled up a bit) and hang on. When it gets to the end of the chain, it will break loose. Done it a few times, always works and why neither of my tractors have clutches. I really dislike dry clutches.

I guess you've never thought of possibility of a tow chain breaking then hitting you? I've heard of putting blanket over chain to lessen chance of this happening BUT your method sounds as if an accident has a very excellent place to happen.

 

[5030]

I guess you've never thought of possibility of a tow chain breaking then hitting you? I've heard of putting blanket over chain to lessen chance of this happening BUT your method sounds as if an accident has a very excellent place to happen.

forgot too add the blanket and always use at least a Grade 80 chain. Non issue here now as none of mine have dry clutches. The dry clutch tractors are long gone. Chaining to the drawbar and low on a tree keeps things down low in case the chain does break. As usual it is always 'at your own risk' and I'll leave it at that.

 

[SPYDERLK]

You may be able to free it by just driving it briefly with the clutch in. You want to be in a gear that will cause the engine to work hard going up a mild hill or other convenient feature of your property. You may be able to start the tractor in such gear, but if not you can start in a lower gear and upshift while rolling and feathering the throttle. Once in the appropriate gear try to accelerate up the hill at full throttle, clutch in of course. Try a couple or 3 times but not many because long time running with the clutch throw out bearing loaded at operating RPM is a wear gamble. If it does free up fairly promptly good - if not chain to a big healthy tree from the tractor drawbar as described in others posts. You may want to protect the tree bark at the chain point.

 

[Grouseguy]

Were you ever successful getting the clutch plates to release ?

 

[stephanadams]

Be careful of how you attach to the tractor because you could cause issues if not hooked up correctly.

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[laytonte]

Yep, I'd push the clutch pedal down and keep it down while I drove it. Hit the accelerator and let off, just vary speed, hit brakes. You may have to tie it to a truck and drag the truck to get the clutch free.

That screw driver trick may work but you need to have the pedal down. The clutch needs to be in release position so screw driver can release it.

Any pictures of exactly where I need to be praying with a screwdriver? Have a JD 870 that was parked on a hill in gear, a few days later went to move and now clutch is stuck.