Need Help--Branson 4720 Clutch Pedal Stuck

dtp4939 · Dec 5, 2014

Everything was working fine with no hint of a problem. I was in gear moving forward and pressed down on the clutch to stop. The tractor stopped and was out of gear just as it should be. But when I took my foot off the clutch pedal, it was stuck down. I can't get the pedal up and the tractor in gear. It seems the pedal is down far enough that the tractor is out of gear but it is not down all the way. I still have to push the pedal down further to crank the tractor. I have tried pulling the pedal up and tapping it with a hammer to try to free it up but it seems like it is hitting something and just does not budge. I can't see the other end of the linkage where it connects with the clutch as it is hidden behind things. Any ideas on what is wrong and what I can do to fix it?

Mr Bitz · Dec 7, 2014

First off, if it's still under warranty? If it is get it in.. If not, I would start looking into where the clutch rod goes into the transmission housing. Disconnect that and see if it frees up then. IF not there is a problem inside, possibly the throw out bearing got stuck somehow or the spring broke and fell in to the point of it wedging between the housing and bearing (clutch fork). I would first follow the pedal and remove what you have to to get a good look at it, hopefully something is just binding and wont' be a big deal.. Try to find the obvious first.. Always a good rule of thumb.. Let us know what you come up with..

dtp4939 · Dec 7, 2014

Thanks for your help. I have had the tractor for about 10 years with no major problems. The dealer where I bought it no longer sells Branson and hasn't worked on one in years. I contacted them but they were no help. I have the backhoe on it so I may have to take that off. I can't get under it with that in the way. I will get started trying to take things off to get a look at where the rod connects to the housing and get back with you to let you know what I find out. I travel a lot so it may be a while. Hope its something simple. Thanks.

Vtnewbie · Dec 8, 2014

You already checked the lever that flips down to hold the clutch pedal in, right?

dtp4939 · Dec 8, 2014

Yes. The lever is not holding the pedal down. I'm about to go out now to see about taking things off to see the other end of the linkage. Thanks.

JCar98823 · Dec 8, 2014

I would check the clutch return spring under the dash, seen them snap and get stuck holding the pedal down.

dtp4939 · Dec 8, 2014

That was the problem, the clutch return spring. I worked on it this afternoon. I removed a metal section of the floor under the rubber matte to get access to the lever on the side of the transmission housing. I removed the pin connecting the lever to the clutch pedal linkage and found that the lever was not binding, that it was the pedal itself. So I removed the plastic shroud around the steering column and just as I lifted it a little the spring fell out. The hook on one end of the spring had broken. I'm not sure how it could bind in a way that it could not be dislodged by shaking the pedal, but it did. I'm relieved that it will be a simple fix. Thanks to all for your replies. JCar98823 knew exactly what the problem was.

DavesTractor · Dec 10, 2014

This is the beauty of an internet forum like this. Someone always has the answer!

LincTex · Sep 3, 2019

dtp4939 said:
That was the problem, the clutch return spring. .... the spring fell out. The hook on one end of the spring had broken. I'm not sure how it could bind in a way that it could not be dislodged by shaking the pedal, but it did.

LOL!!

Same exact thing for me... 2006 3510i model, 178 hours.

Thanks to all on this forum for the help!