clueless 2,910 #1 Posted October 29, 2016 Replacing my bad trans with hopefully a good trans on my 312 this weekend. In the process of removing the seat pan I removed this. I've seen it before and I have an idea of what it does, but can't find it in any of my parts manuals. What is it and what does it do? -Chris Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,454 #2 Posted October 29, 2016 I may be mistaken but I believe it's a damper. It was one of the ways they slowed the engagement of the clutch. It came into play at the end of the idler arm travel. Check out part #53 on page 2 of this parts list for a 1990 312-8. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 19,703 #3 Posted October 29, 2016 Racinbob is correct. Personally I don't like them and have removed them all from any of my machines that came with it. Mike..... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 2,910 #4 Posted October 29, 2016 Thanks guys, any down side to not replacing it Mike? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 19,703 #5 Posted October 29, 2016 None....in my opinion. I prefer to operate the clutch pedal myself and not depend on the damper to control how fast/ slow the drive belt engages. Mike...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,454 #6 Posted October 29, 2016 They had 3 different methods of 'dampening' the clutch release and I didn't like any of them. They were fine for decades without such devices and I remove them as well. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,454 #7 Posted October 29, 2016 Now that it's halftime I'll add to this. I believe the damper you have was the first method. Then they went to a strut much like what is used on hatchbacks, etc. It was mounted in front of the idler arm and pushed it. That setup didn't use a spring but could be removed and a spring added in the usual spot. Finally they went with a damper that was mounted behind the idler arm and used the standard spring on the left side. That's what was on my 2005. The first time I mowed the lawn it drove me nuts. I could just slide my foot off the clutch and wait for it to engage. Since it utilized a spring all I had to do was remove the damper and all was well. OK, back to the game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 2,910 #8 Posted October 29, 2016 Ok, the less useless stuff I have to reinstall the better! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lagersolut 614 #9 Posted October 30, 2016 15 hours ago, Sparky said: None....in my opinion. I prefer to operate the clutch pedal myself and not depend on the damper to control how fast/ slow the drive belt engages. Mike...... 14 hours ago, Racinbob said: They had 3 different methods of 'dampening' the clutch release and I didn't like any of them. They were fine for decades without such devices and I remove them as well. Same here , earlier this year the belt started slipping on my 315-8 going up hills and I couldn't figure out why at first - closer inspection revealed the belt stretched a little over the years and the damper was at the end of it's travel ability keeping the spring from putting enough tension on the belt . My thought process was the same - these tractors and belts went decades without this contraption on earlier tractors so will this one and off it came . Wonder how many perfectly good belts those dampers sold ? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
