Tractor Repair: 4630 ford tractor clutch problems, clutch problems, steep slopes

Question
Could you answer the question, as to, why the clutch as gone out twice in the last two years on the tractor, mentioned on the subject line?  I've drove this tractor since Sept. 1999 and had no trouble with it until the clutch was replaced in the Summer of 2005.  I do not know if the parts, used for repair, were new or rebuilt.  Also the the pedal linkage was shortened after the repairs were made.  I drive this tractor to mow a levy.  The levy has steep slopes.  I drove in fifth gear for over five years but now drive in third gear.  I drive or back up the slope and allow the tractor to coast back down the slope.  Could rebuilt parts cause the problem?  Could the change in driving from fifth to third gear cause the problem?  Or maybe the shorting of the linkage cause the problem?

Answer
Terry Vaughn Category: Tractor Repair Private: No
 Subject: 4630 ford tractor clutch problems Question: Could you answer the question, as to, why the clutch as gone out twice in the last two years on the tractor, mentioned on the subject line?  I've drove this tractor since Sept. 1999 and had no trouble with it until the clutch was replaced in the Summer of 2005.  I do not know if the parts, used for repair, were new or rebuilt.  Also the pedal linkage was shortened after the repairs were made.  I drive this tractor to mow a levy.  The levy has steep slopes.  I drove in fifth gear for over five years but now drive in third gear.  I drive or back up the slope and allow the tractor to coast back down the slope.  Could rebuilt parts cause the problem?  Could the change in driving from fifth to third gear cause the problem?  Or maybe the shorting of the linkage causes the problem?

Hi Terry
A number of questions here, you don’t say if you did the repairs you self but it sounds like it was another party.
The clutch is of course a major part of the transmission. And to my mind should only have new parts fitted, but if they are not lined up and set up correctly then there could be problems.
Your pedal movement is vital-- that is the free play under the stop point this is with most tractors about 3/8 of an inch before any clutch action starts to happen when you put your foot on the peddle, in other words the first small amount does nothing. If this free movement was not there then it probably means that the clutch was slipping and would soon lead to complete failure –burnt out !!!
As to the use of 3rd instead of 5th may be she’s getting old! And tired. And needs a complete rebuild.
Do you have a manual?
Martin.