WD45 Hand Clutch Disconnected

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   Hey All, 
Purchased a 1956 WD45 - Gasoline.   

Ill explain the issue, then give details of what I know thus far.  

Hand Clutch is disconnected.  Handle is all the way forward (basically horizontal) and stuck.  I haven't tried any force other than my own hand pulling up on it.  

Question is this:  Is there a reason someone would have disconnected the hand clutch and left it.  I'm assuming it just sat this way for so long that it has seized up in that possition.  Second question is, what do i need to think about/do before I try to reconnect it.  

I plan to take off the battery box and see if anything appears broken or seized before trying to opperate the clutch.  But in theory the clutch handle shouldnt do anythign without it being connected to the other shaft right?  

If everything goes well, and freely moves, I know I might need to look at adjusting the spacers and such, but when and why would I need to opperate the hand clutch?

As of right now, the tractor drives in all 4 gears plus reverse.  The PTO engages and disengages the brush hog. Drove it 15 miles home Saturday with no issues driving in 4th gear about 14 miles an hour.  

Pictures attached of the connection.  

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FireMedic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 07 Oct 2024 Location: Minburn, Iowa Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote FireMedic Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: WD45 Hand Clutch Disconnected Posted: 13 Oct 2024 at 12:15pm
	Hey All, Purchased a 1956 WD45 - Gasoline. Ill explain the issue, then give details of what I know thus far. Hand Clutch is disconnected. Handle is all the way forward (basically horizontal) and stuck. I haven't tried any force other than my own hand pulling up on it. Question is this: Is there a reason someone would have disconnected the hand clutch and left it. I'm assuming it just sat this way for so long that it has seized up in that possition. Second question is, what do i need to think about/do before I try to reconnect it. I plan to take off the battery box and see if anything appears broken or seized before trying to opperate the clutch. But in theory the clutch handle shouldnt do anythign without it being connected to the other shaft right? If everything goes well, and freely moves, I know I might need to look at adjusting the spacers and such, but when and why would I need to opperate the hand clutch? As of right now, the tractor drives in all 4 gears plus reverse. The PTO engages and disengages the brush hog. Drove it 15 miles home Saturday with no issues driving in 4th gear about 14 miles an hour. Pictures attached of the connection.

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Gary Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Location: Peterborough,On Points: 5399	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Oct 2024 at 1:10pm
	The Hand Clutch Lever would normally be vertical. It should pivot freely on the shaft which it is mounted. The hole in the lower end of the Lever should be connected by a short Link facing forward and connected to another short Lever. If either end of this short Link is disconnected, the long vertical Lever should pivot freely fore and aft. Gary

SteveM C/IL Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Shelbyville IL Points: 8244	Post Options Post Reply Quote SteveM C/IL Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Oct 2024 at 11:03pm
	The lever could just be froze. It pivots on the pin. You can usually use large slip joint pliers on the short lever to engage / disengage the clutch. Heat the lever up and get it free.

only AC orange Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Access Joined: 06 Dec 2014 Location: Eastern Indiana Points: 468	Post Options Post Reply Quote only AC orange Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Oct 2024 at 8:28am
	Maybe the connecting pin on bottom of clutch handle came out and previous owner didn't know what problem was? If handle moves freely, put a pin in connector link and test handle by moving forward/backward to see if clutch engages/disengages.

truckerfarmer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 26 Jan 2013 Location: Watertown, SD Points: 3217	Post Options Post Reply Quote truckerfarmer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Oct 2024 at 9:57am
	Why anyone would want to disconnect the hand clutch with a loader on there, is beyond me. Although a couple reasons come to mind. One could be that the handle was hitting the loader upright. Another could be that there is issues with the hand clutch, (possibly throwout bearing bad?). A good reason to have the hand clutch working is, it gives you "live power". When you use the hand clutch, the hydraulics and pto keep working. When you step on the foot clutch everything stops. Well, kinda stops when you are brush hogging. When brush hogging, if you step on the foot clutch, the momentum of the blades will turn the pto. Which in turn, powers the transmission, and propels the tractor forward, (or backwards, depending on which direction you were going when you attempt to stop). The hand clutch separates the transmission from the pto and hydraulic pump. Learned that the hard way 27 yrs ago. Was brush hogging with a H Farmall. Stepped on the clutch and the momentum of the mower pushed the tractor ahead another 10', and ended up running into the barn. I use the hand clutch on my WD and WD45 all the time. Same with the power director on my D17. Only use the foot clutch for shifting gears. And when pulling a load, shifting from 3rd to 4th, (road gear) seems easier with the hand clutch.
	Looking at the past to see the future. '53 WD, '53 WD45, WD snap coupler field cultivator, #53 plow,'53 HD5B dozer Duct tape.... Can't fix stupidity. But will muffle the sound of it!

HudCo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 29 Jan 2013 Location: Plymouth Utah Points: 3553	Post Options Post Reply Quote HudCo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Oct 2024 at 9:49pm
	it about a useless tractor without the hand clutch every time you push the foot clutch in the pto will stop and the hyralics will stop the only thing i use the foot clutch for is shifting gears

SteveM C/IL Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Shelbyville IL Points: 8244	Post Options Post Reply Quote SteveM C/IL Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Oct 2024 at 10:30pm
	I use the foot clutch to engage PTO and some while backing because I don't turn around as well as 50 yrs ago. When I was a kid I found it odd that my uncle backed to machinery with foot clutch on his 45. Now I get it....

Gary Burnett Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Points: 2940	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gary Burnett Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Oct 2024 at 6:49am
	Maybe the hand clutch was slipping so it was locked up and the lever disconnected