Broke the 1200 yesterday

[sawdustdad]

I don't understand how adjusting a clutch too much could cause that failure without some other issue.

The adjustment is just at what point the pedal actuates the clutch--tighten the adjustment nut too much and the clutch will slip without touching the pedal. Not enough adjustment and the pedal won't fully disengage the clutch.

Neither extreme should cause the clutch to self destruct. Or am I missing some other factor? Perhaps a driver pin failed, caused the clutch to go off balance and vibrate apart?

[darkminion_17]

Those pins look kinda long,maybe they were rubbing up on the clutch lever when it was engaged

[johncub7172]

Yea, that's a bummer. Perhaps the throw out bearing locked into the backside of the release lever? Or, the release lever mount/location flexed causing other drive shaft issues?

[bocephus1991]

The pins are kinda long. I think the bearing locked onto the arm. The arm has a ring worn around it. I was mowing when this happened. I would have never expected anything like this happening from the clutch being improperly adj. I really have no 100% explanation for it. I started tearing it down this afternoon, after staining the deck floor. Going down now to work on disassembly. Late weekends are about the only time I have to work on it. It's a truckn mess is all I know for sure!

[budscub]

I can't really see it well in the photo, but does that break look fresh. almost looks like that may have been cracked for some time. It looks to be rusted across that break line.

Good look.

[Rmowl]

That stinks! Could've been a lot worse though. Hopefully you have a back up so you can do the repairs when they fit in the schedule, good luck

[Bob95065]

My brother had my 1000 for a few years. He is pretty much a threat to all things mechanical. When I got it back the throw out bearing was completely locked up. There was a nasty groove cut in the lever from the locked T/O bearing grinding away as the shaft spun. I cringe when I think what it must have sounded like when he put the clutch in. Mercifully the clutch linkage to the lever broke and he stopped using it. He must have gone a long time looking at how torn up the lever was. The lever didn't break and there was no damage to the original disc due to the T/O bearing failure.

I did a band-aid repair to get the tractor going so I could mow the lawn. I put a new disc, T/O bearing and a lever from a WF I had laying around. I replaced the disc because it was delaminating. The clutch rattled like crazy and slipped but it didn't slip all the time.

I decided to completely rebuild the clutch this winter. I put a lot of cash into it but the original was in there 38+ years (Aug 1977 to March 2016) so I figured it was money well spent. The shaft had steps in it from the locked up T/O bearing wearing it so I replaced it. I replaced the shaft, T/O bearing (once again-not taking any chances), lever, lever bracket, pin, teaser spring, teaser spring cup, grease bushing, shaft pins, driver pins and pilot bushing. The clutch now sounds and operates like new. It is really smooth.

I guess I still don't understand why you had such a nasty failure due to tight clutch adjustment. If the bearing was ok it should have spun with the engine if the clutch was adjusted too tight. That bend pin leads me to believe that it somehow contacted the lever which caused the failure. If I were you I would definitively determine what caused the failure so you don't buy patrs twice because it failed a second time.

Bob

[ACecil]

Sorry to see that, Brian.

[bocephus1991]

I got it all torn apart last night. I am going to shorten the pins. The teaser spring, clutch spring, driveshaft and plates are fine. Going to replace the release lever, hangar, clutch and throw out bearing.

[bocephus1991]

Another picture