Tractor Repair: Sticking Ford 3000 Clutch, clutch disk, ford 3000

Question
Arnie - I just read your comment on how clutches may stick if wet.  I just bought a 3000, the clutch seemed to work fine when I tested it.  Now it will not disengage.  The day after I brought it home we had a heavy rain shower.  I also noticed fluid under the front of bell housing so suspect the rear main is leaking too. Is there any easy fix to release the sticking clutch?

Answer
Hello,

  If a tractor is outside exposed to the weather for even a couple of days, the clutch can stick to the flywheel.  I have had it happen to me a couple of times when the tractor was out in the woods where I was skidding logs.  We had some wet weather and when I came back in a few days the clutch was stuck.  On tractors that have a cover on the bottom of the clutch housing, I have been able to reach in with a long screwdriver and pry the clutch disk loose while someone was holding the pedal down.  On tractors without an access cover, about the only thing you can try is to start the tractor in gear and hold the clutch down while hitting the brakes hard.  If the brakes don't hold well enough to break it loose, you could chain the tractor to a tree or something and let the wheels dig until it breaks loose.  If nothing works, then you will end up splitting the tractor, but to fix the oil leak you would have to split it anyway.