mikeeyre74 289 #1 Posted May 30, 2015 Yesterday, I had a bit of an issue starting my 1977 B-80. As it turns out, I wasn't engaging the clutch safety switch on the left-hand side… The reason being, I had managed to push the clutch pedal so far forward that the actuator Rod attached to the clutch smashed the bracket that the safety switch is mounted to, and bent it down and out-of-the-way. Since it was bent away, the clutch pedal itself didn't engage the switch to allow the tractor to start. Got me to thinking, is there supposed to be some over travel stop on that pedal that allows it to contact the switch, but not bend the switch after you make contact? It seems an awfully weird design if not… All you have to do is push on the pedal a little too hard, and you end up breaking The tiny little switch mount. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,916 #2 Posted June 1, 2015 It looks like this slipped through the cracks somehow. I'm replying mainly to bring it back and hopefully somebody will see it this time. Something is definitely wrong and that shouldn't happen. I had a few tractors of that vintage but I'll be darn if I can recall what would cause it. The clutch switch on yours is by the pedal and the one I have now is entirely different so I can't just take a look to refresh my memory. There's a bunch of the C's and B's out there and somebody can answer your question. Anybody? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,289 #3 Posted June 1, 2015 Since they nicknamed me B-100 Bob, I should know this stuff with my eyes closed. I have three 1977 B-series tractors in the shed, and for the life of me, I can't remember what component is the physical stop for the clutch. The clutch rod attaches to an arm, which is pinned to a rod which goes through the frame, and is part of the idler assembly. When you depress the clutch, the idler arm goes forward to release the belt, and hits a stop that I THINK is mounted to the hood stand, under the belt guard.When it stops raining, I will check for sure, that is unless someone else gives you a definitive answer before then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,916 #4 Posted June 1, 2015 That's funny Bob. That's the way I felt. There's got to be a stop but where the heck is it? I don't recall ever hearing of the issue. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,916 #5 Posted June 2, 2015 This thought came to me while looking at another post. There's two holes in the pedal where the clutch rod connects. It should be in the upper hole. If it was in the lower hole it looks like it could hit the switch bracket. Again, just a thought. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,633 #6 Posted June 2, 2015 This thought came to me while looking at another post. There's two holes in the pedal where the clutch rod connects. It should be in the upper hole. If it was in the lower hole it looks like it could hit the switch bracket. Again, just a thought. On Lawn Rangers there are 2 holes in the pedal. Using the lower one makes it easier for short legged people (my wife) to drive it. i have to use the upper hole. When it stops raining I will have to look at some of the other horses.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikeeyre74 289 #7 Posted June 2, 2015 Mine is set to the upper hole in the of the two, currently. That linkage rod that connects the pedal to the arm thing the back there, that's why hits the bracket that squashed the whole operation.. I never would have thought that it could have ben the bracket, honestly.. you'd think that would have been strong enough as it was, but.. then again, you're pushing it with your leg.. and in a knee jerk reaction, I guess it's possible to bend a tiny bracket with a bad motion like that. I'm still open to suggestions if I've got something going on wrong here.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,916 #8 Posted June 2, 2015 It was just a thought Mike. Somebody will come up with the solution. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikeeyre74 289 #9 Posted June 3, 2015 Hang on now.. I might have stumbled across something. Is this damage possible somehow because of the belt guard being off? This happened during a weskit period where I have the belt guard off the tractor because I was trying to determine the source of a noise, which turned out to be a worn out belt slapping against the belt guard.. and I just swapped out the belt today and put the guard back on to keep from injuring myself again (yes, i zinged my calf with the belt guard off. Of course!) And now that the belt guard is back on, It doesn't seem as if the pedal goes even down far enough to contact the part I bent earlier. There must be something there I can't see that's helping out with the guard on vs guard off.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
