310-8 Clutch Problem

[Ed Kennell 38,178]

 This is the tractor I recently purchased as a non runner with a locked up clutch pedal.    I saw the ad on Marketplace and bought it for the deck.

The owners Father purchased it new in 1992 and installed a new 42" SD deck in 2018.     He said he was mowing this summer when the clutch locked up and now it won't start.   He just wanted it gone so he could get his car in the garage.    I'm a hydro guy and don't know much about these gear drives.     What I found may help you gear jammers some day.

 

I thought the belt probably came off and jammed the idler pulley against the tunnel.    The belt was worn, but still in place on all three pulleys.

When I pulled the tins off to find what what was locking the clutch cross shaft, I found one of the dirtiest tractors ever.

 

 

Did you spot the problem?   The worn belt had allowed the plate that contacts the clutch damper to go under the plunger that then sprang back out and locked the clutch.

This damper and a worn belt changed this working Wheel Horse into a junk priced roller.

 

She sounds happy to get some fresh air in her lung and the deck is quiet.

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,562]

Sad... but lucky you!!!

[ri702bill 8,323]

So much for the PO's stellar Maintainence record......

But - no traces of oil leaks.....

Edited November 27, 2023 by ri702bill

[Ed Kennell 38,178]

4 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

no traces of oil leaks.

Even the axle seals look tight and the differential gear oil looks clean.   The engine oil is past due, but at least it's on the full mark.    

It just amazes me that it could even run with a 99% blocked air filter.    

The locked clutch may have saved this horses life.

[peter lena 8,629]

@Ed Kennell  agree with you on the filth build up , that  over working shuttle deck belt tensioner , is telling you of spindle related bearing issues , bearing hang up collectively , drags , causing belt spring reaction , bounce . bet those spindles  are bearing shot . seen a lot of those . regularly look my trio over for anything , only spring pull on my clutch pedals , and lubricated everything .  do an upgrade on the deck , they can move without  , noise / effort . pete 

[Ed Kennell 38,178]

1 minute ago, peter lena said:

do an upgrade on the deck

The entire rig will get a complete up grade after I power wash that 1/2" thick brown coating.

[peter lena 8,629]

@Ed Kennell  done a number of those  , leave NOTHING ROTATIONAL TO CHANCE , every bearing , gets a  RE GREASE , including mule drive bearings , deck idler , PTO cone bearing , inner needle , also get after lever starting engagement area , usually sloppy , teflon washers fill up the gap , solid smooth . hard ware store , small pull out drawer section . of course  lucas hd green grease , like SUPER LUBE , also  in detailing , none of my decks has a squealing  start , and they also  spin down after use , no sudden  drag stop.   know your insight / experience , will LEAD the way  . looking forward to  the save . pete 

[Jon Paulsen 290]

 where is the poor 310-8 in Ed's signature 

 

 

[Ed Kennell 38,178]

Does anyone know what models and years have this clutch damper?   @gwest_ca

[JoeM 7,874]

One word "WOW"

Good find! and save

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,299]

You can quit smiling any time Ed.  You may want to wear a hazmat suit when you start cleaning. If you don't feel like clean it, haul it down south to my place, I work on it all winter. 

[oldlineman 1,481]

I have a 1989 414-8 with that damper Ed

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,045]

1 hour ago, Ed Kennell said:

Does anyone know what models and years have this clutch damper?   @gwest_ca

It looks like the first version they used and was simply an air dampener. Pedal pushed down allowed air to enter it and on pedal release air was exhausted through a small hole in the back end of it. Could be a dirty environment for such a design. Have cleaned them out and returned to service.

In 1991 the 416-8 started using a gas strut  which was a retrofit for the older models.

[leabassett@sbcglobal.net 149]

That looks clean to me My John Deere 140 when I got it  had almost a five gallon bucket of crud I scraped off. That was before I cleaned it.

[953 nut 55,243]

3 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

The entire rig will get a complete up grade after I power wash that 1/2" thick brown coating.

Well, I guess we know what will be at the top of Ed's for sale at the Big Show list next year.

[Racinbob 11,081]

15 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

Does anyone know what models and years have this clutch damper?   @gwest_ca

 

Here's a service bulletin on those contraptions. 

WH61-90 #413 Clutch Idler Damper 1988-on.pdf - Service Bulletins - RedSquare Wheel Horse Forum

I wonder how many of the 'experts' that made up these new rules ever drove a garden tractor. That was the first attempt at compliance for Wheel Horse. Two or three variations followed over the years. Fortunately you also have the spring on the left side. Ed, you know what I'd do. 

[ri702bill 8,323]

13 hours ago, gwest_ca said:

In 1991 the 416-8 started using a gas strut  which was a retrofit for the older models.

A good clutch spring is all you really need. Hydraulic dampers can be sluggish in the cold; gas springs loose their charge over time.

[Lee1977 6,661]

Well, we can see why he had to replace the deck.!

[Ed Kennell 38,178]

On 11/28/2023 at 7:59 AM, Racinbob said:

Ed, you know what I'd do

Done Bob, thanks for the link.    Now we know why WH added the damper........big brothers regulations trying to fix stupid by adding stupid safety devices.

[pfrederi 17,739]

You can't fix stupid....

[Ed Kennell 38,178]

On 11/28/2023 at 8:33 AM, ri702bill said:

A good clutch spring is all you really need. Hydraulic dampers can be sluggish in the cold; gas springs loose their charge over time.

This model still has a real clutch spring.....just have to remove the stupid damper plunger.

[Ed Kennell 38,178]

Too cold  (20F this AM) to power wash, so I moved her into my heated shop to do some dry cleaning.

 

There is a gas tank under the crud.

 

 

The drive belt should be a 5/8 X 80.9.   This one was worn down to just under 1/2" wide and measured 81.5" long  and was only 3/8 thick.   Off to TSC tomorrow.

Edited November 29, 2023 by Ed Kennell

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,299]

@Ed Kennell be careful you don't want to throw too much money at that roller.

[Ed Kennell 38,178]

1 minute ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said:

@Ed Kennell be careful you don't want to throw too much money at that roller.

Whaatt,  Ya think you'll get it for cheap??   

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,299]

Based on the $0.30 a gallon price increase where I live, and the huge 3.2 % SS increase that is coming in January I have to watch my pennies. I will gladly pay you Tuesday for WH today.