LOUD squeal while stall-testing the clutch on an H

amnion · May 4, 2009

I just picked up a nice '43 H and my uncle was convinced he needed to give the clutch a good go-around by doing the usual brake-stall test.

He says he put the tractor in 2nd and had the idle going pretty good for the test but when he let out the clutch a very loud squeal or screeching sound was heard along with a bundle of blue/gray smoke rolling out of the pipe. The tractor did not stall out.

Previous to this test I had concluded that the brakes probably need adjusting or replacement as the tractor didn't seem to stop very well in 5th.

So my question is: was the squealing sound due to the bad brakes or something clutch-related?

Wayne in MN · May 4, 2009

What pipe? Exhaust, air cleaner, or belly pump??

amnion · May 4, 2009

From what I could see, the bulk of the smoke was coming from the exhaust.

rustyfarmall · May 4, 2009

Did he let the clutch pedal all the way up? Did the tractor move, or did it just sit there?

Bob M · May 4, 2009

First off the clutch and brake test are best done in 5th gear. Even with decent brakes it's tough to hold an H back in 2nd. And it's much easier to slip a marginal clutch in 5th than in the lower gears.

That issue aside, smoky exhaust could be a couple things: 1 - A tired, oil-burning motor that smokes under load, or 2 - A healthy engine that just hasn't seen a load in a while.

If it's #2 it the exhaust will gradually clear after running 5 - 10+ minutes wide open - quicker if you can get a good load on it.

#1 however will just keep smoking - it may even smoke worse as the engine warms up.

----

Squealing could be from the brakes, a rusty clutch plate or a severely worn out clutch. Hold the tractor stationary in 5th gear (block the rear wheels or run the front end against a tree) and gradually let out the clutch. You'll know quick whether it's the clutch or the brakes!

amnion · May 4, 2009

Bob M-

Yeah, I questioned him as to why he chose to do the test in 2nd rather than 5th but he said that's the way he always does it. I was planning on giving it a test in 5th but hadn't had the chance yet. Using a block or immovable object instead of the brakes is a great idea! Process of elimination.

The exhaust smoke started clearing right away and was completely gone with another 5-10min of running. The tractor doesn't normally smoke when I run it, except for a few light puffs after I start it up.

amnion · May 4, 2009

I can't confirm his clutch-foot action but the tractor did not stop. It was pulling, barely.

David G · May 4, 2009

I would keep your uncle away from YOUR tractor.

KenB_Texas · May 5, 2009

Heck the way I see it if an '43 H will take off in road gear it is a GOOD tractor..

I don't think the smoke from the exhaust is a problem (especially as it clears up quickly)

mkirsch · May 5, 2009

Another good clue would be WHERE the "squeal" was coming from on the tractor. You can easily tell if the squeal was coming from one side or the other, the front of the tractor, the rear of the tractor, down by the brakes, from under the gas tank.

Band brakes are often noisy. Maybe that was it. Try the test again and listen carefully to the noise this time.

...and when you said the tractor "barely" moved...

Did the engine lug down, or did it keep roaring away? If it lugged down, the clutch is fine. If it didn't then the clutch is slipping.

amnion · May 5, 2009

Hah! No kidding. Last time I'll make the assumption that he knows what he's doing in that seat.

amnion · May 5, 2009

I can't say for sure on the sound as my back was turned and I was standing about 15m away from the tractor at the time. I swung around in time to see the bundle of smoke surrounding the exhaust and hear the last bit of the squeal. It did seem to be lugging though.

I might get around to doing the test again tonight, albeit in 5th gear this time around; I'll post what I find.

amnion · May 5, 2009

The H stalls, as it should, in 5th gear wide open when letting out the clutch real slow. So the clutch must be good.

The brakes do squeak pretty noticeably when I get going in 5th and apply them hard. However, I can't say for sure that the sound is the same as what I heard during the test. But I might as well pull the brake housing and have a look at the brakes.

amnion · May 5, 2009

As a side note, I also found that 4th gear uphill sounds like there is an old sewing machine clunking around in the tranny case.

LOUD squeal while stall-testing the clutch on an H

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