Driving question

[Mickwhitt 5,138]

Hi all, 

Now that I'm actually driving my WH I need a few bits of guidance from more experienced hands.

I'm not sure about the clutch on my C125.

I've adjusted it as best I can but when I depress the clutch the tractor stops pretty aggressively, no free wheeling so I can catch it on the brake.

Is this just because the gear box is in mesh and won't allow the wheels to turn? 

Should the tractor free wheel when in gear and the clutch depressed?

Just makes my driving pretty jerky, or do I need more practice and control?

Mick 

[ebinmaine 73,015]

Because of the job that I have I operate quite a few different types of equipment.

Regular cars of different sizes. A pickup truck occasionally. A 2 ton flatbed with about an 11 foot bed. And it progresses up from there to the crane truck which is a 41000 pound vehicle, empty.

iRun demountable forklifts on a regular basis. At least three different machines.

I also run standard type counterweight forklifts.

 

Keeping all of that in mind, I've noticed over the years that not only does each type of machine have its own way that needs to be operated... But each individual machine has its own personality.

 

 

My Cinnamon Horse which is a C-160 is a fairly similar beast to yours.

 

I've actually gotten into the habit of pressing the clutch and literally waiting to see what happens for a split second. Sometimes the machine will slow down or even stop on its own and I don't even need to use the brake.

 

 

I don't think it's unreasonable at all that yours would have a transmission that drags enough to slow down the vehicle substantially without actually even using the braking system.

 

 

[Stormin 9,985]

11 minutes ago, Mickwhitt said:

Is this just because the gear box is in mesh and won't allow the wheels to turn?  At a guess. Yes!

Should the tractor free wheel when in gear and the clutch depressed? Don't think it should.

 

Something for me to try tomorrow.

Edited April 22, 2020 by Stormin

[Dan.gerous 2,696]

Will have to try my C125's tomorrow and let you know, hadn't actually noticed what they do.

[kwalshy 238]

On my 314-8 my clutch allows me to slowly come to a complete stop with no need for touching the brake pedal.  While starting out from a complete stop, I have to let the clutch out slowly or it'll be very jerky, almost like I could pop the front tires off the ground like my sport quad/atv. 

 

The C-105 is not as sensitive, the same when coming to a complete stop, really don't need the brake.  

[Achto 29,433]

I hardly ever use the brake peddle on my C-141. Stepping on the clutch usually brings it to a halt.

[SylvanLakeWH 28,625]

I have never used the brake pedal on my C 105 or my rat rod... Both stop using the clutch - one as you describe and the other more like a brake...

 

[pfrederi 18,719]

Just tried my 310-8 that has a 10 pinion rear end.  She coasts to a stop on the level, going down a hill she was speeding up when I stepped on the clutch even pushing it as far as it goes had no impact...

[tunahead72 2,554]

Interesting questions Mick, and it looks like most of us don't even think about it any more, it's just second nature at this point.  There is a "correct" procedure for stopping in the owner's manual for your tractor, have you taken a look at that?  But as Eric pointed out, these machines do develop their own personalities based on any number of factors, best to take the official instructions as a pretty good starting point.

 

I'm curious, what are you doing to adjust your clutch?  I can't find it now of course, but as far as I know the only adjustment for the clutch adjusts the position of the pedal itself.  This is only for the comfort of the operator, and not for the actual operation of the clutch mechanism.

[tunahead72 2,554]

1 hour ago, pfrederi said:

Just tried my 310-8 that has a 10 pinion rear end.  She coasts to a stop on the level, going down a hill she was speeding up when I stepped on the clutch even pushing it as far as it goes had no impact...

 

I'll have to test mine later, but this is how I recall both my 310-8 and C-105 operating.

 

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,371]

I don't think I have ever even touched the brake pedal on my C125. Out here on our flat ground it always comes to a stop with only the clutch

[Darb1964 1,120]

Many factors, how well greased, if the tires are low on air, temp outside, what weight oil in the gear box. Even what attachment is on, if you have wheel weights. The clutch adjustment will effect when it grabs as you release it for the most part. Can help stop if not completely disengaged, i like just how you have it, on level ground no need for the break.

[ebinmaine 73,015]

1 hour ago, HandyProfessor said:

flat ground

What's a big hill out there? The ramp into the shed?

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,371]

2 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

What's a big hill out there? The ramp into the shed?

You guessed it 

[ebinmaine 73,015]

4 minutes ago, HandyProfessor said:

You guessed it 

Trina and I went to North Dakota a few years back.

 

It absolutely floored me to see the next highway on ramp from the one you're using.... TEN MILES AWAY !!!!!

[Lee1977 7,232]

I have enough hills a banks on my property that at some places I don't even need reserve to turn around just pull up grade push in on the clutch roll back letthe ckutch out and go. They will get dangerous fast

down hill in gear with the clutch pushed in. I have four and a half acres from the lowest point to the highest is around 20 feet.

 

Check Richards  ( 953 nut )   wild ride down his driveway across the road and almost in to the creek. I can't find the tread.

[Pullstart 67,086]

Mick,

 

when the tractor is off / in neutral, is it challenging to push?  I’m just wondering if the brake is dragging or if there is another underlying issue somewhere?  Stopping “pretty aggressively” makes me question the nature of the tractor vs something wrong.

[Dan.gerous 2,696]

Hi @Mickwhitt

 

Had both my C125's out today and they are both completely different.

 

One coasts along without stopping when you press the clutch, and ironically that's the one that the previous owner had removed the brake pedal and brakes.

 

The other one stops quite suddenly when you press in the clutch. This one has fully functioning brakes....

 

I much prefer the one that coasts along for a bit, that seems more "normal' to me.

 

Hope that inconclusive finding is of some help to you.

[Dan.gerous 2,696]

The horses lined up for trials.

 

The shed in the background will be about four times longer once the greenhouse and tractor parking shed are put into the end of it, and phase one of the garden will be next to it. Getting materials is holding me up at the moment.

Edited April 23, 2020 by Dan.gerous

[formariz 12,045]

All the ones I have act slightly different from one to another. They all however on a regular transmission , not a hydro, will come to a stop fairly quickly and smoothly by just depressing clutch . I actually use clutch action a lot when using front mounted blower to blow leaves controlling speed that way instead of changing gears. This way I am not constantly stopping and shifting since the size of the leaf pile requires different speeds in order to move them .efficiently. Going on a steep incline downhill tractors will speed up rather than slow to a stop so brake will have to be used if you disengage transmission..

Where brake comes real handy(or footsy) to me Is  getting tractor moving on a steep incline which I have many. I keep brake on just releasing slowly as I engage clutch. This way tractor will not roll backwards or forwards as you get it going. Pretty much like using hand brake on a manual transmission car taking off on a hill. Nowadays of course they have hill assist so that is not needed.

Found also that belt size differences make a big difference on it specially taking off.

Edited April 23, 2020 by formariz

[formariz 12,045]

19 minutes ago, Dan.gerous said:

The horses lined up for trials.

 

The shed in the background will be about four times longer once the greenhouse and tractor parking shed are put into the end of it, and phase one of the garden will be next to it. Getting materials is holding me up at the moment.

I like that color scheme on the hood. Great idea.

[Dan.gerous 2,696]

1 minute ago, formariz said:

I like that color scheme on the hood. Great idea.

That was how I brought it, I'm not really a fan and the paint job is very rough - it's my wife's machine so she is deciding what to do with it.

[formariz 12,045]

2 minutes ago, Dan.gerous said:

That was how I brought it, I'm not really a fan and the paint job is very rough - it's my wife's machine so she is deciding what to do with it.

Personally I really like it. I may just do exactly that on the next refresh of one of the black hoods

[Dan.gerous 2,696]

20 minutes ago, formariz said:

Personally I really like it. I may just do exactly that on the next refresh of one of the black hoods

It's not that bad I guess, but the Porsche badge ruins it.

[ebinmaine 73,015]

1 minute ago, Dan.gerous said:

Porsche badge

That's the piece. I agree.

 

Get out the putty knife or a sawzall or a hammer or a small dab of tannerite and you can take care of that.