Free a stuck clutch BCS walk behind tractor (no special tool)

BCS Harvester 720 was in storage for 20 years, the clutch was stuck frozen. My easy quick fix.
TiP: store your BCS with the clutch in the engage position to avoid this problem

[@aus71383]

I had this problem recently and learned an even easier method from the folks at Earth Tools KY. First of all - store the machine with the clutch lever locked in the squeezed position, to prevent the clutch sticking in the first place. Mine got stuck from experiencing a sudden increased load that bogged the engine down. Anyhow - the method they told me is to squeeze the clutch lever in, put the transmission and PTO in neutral, and run the engine at ~1/4 throttle for 20-30 minutes to build up some heat - which will cause expansion of the metal. This may do it - it didn't for me. Then shut the tractor off and leave the clutch lever squeezed and let it cool - which will cause the metal to contract. I let mine cool for a couple hours and it was working again.

[@JoeBakerOutsideTheBox]

Wow! good to know...thanks for your input

[@cb7364-q1o]

Thank you for this. It worked for me perfectly last night. We had a cold night which I think helped but this saved me a lot of time and potential frustration.

[@aus71383]

@@cb7364-q1o Great! I was pretty frustrated and called them wanting to order a new clutch, and planning to send my basically new but apparently worthless clutch in for them to refurbish. Never had a problem since - but I also haven't found any more hollow aluminum tubed shade canopy frames hiding in the blackberry bushes either.

[@fouroakfarm]

Ive got the same issue with an old 725! Thanks for the video. BCS even put out a tech service bulletin on this and encourages people to clip the clutch lever engaged when unit is not in use to prevent future seizing up

[@JoeBakerOutsideTheBox]

I did know about the service bulletin, thanks for your comment

[@RedDawg2k]

Just so this comment is in the right vein, thank you for the quick and informative video, it is very helpful. Especially using the long lag bolt as a tool. In my experience, this is a temporary fix. it will seize up at some point in the future. And if you do not do this fix when it happens, you can grind gears and that is a much more expensive fix.

[@JoeBakerOutsideTheBox]

Thanks for your input. I believe the clutch was seized because the previous owner just stored the BCS with the clutch engaged for many many years. I stored the BCS with the clutch disengaged and never had any problem since.

[@ronaldatkinson2051]

This one has a side bolt to remove to release it. My 718 has the newer clutch. It requires a hex key to remove from the shaft. Make that "a long hex key" into the center, of the shaft recess, inside the clutch. I was surprised to find no bolt was present to remove. While i thought I was done, I have to dissemble my BCS 718 two wheel tractor again. I was not able to completely, thoroughly, unlock and clean my clutch, now I have to do it again.

[@JoeBakerOutsideTheBox]

Funny how engineer make things more complicared has the mschines evolve… good luck with that clutch

[@ronaldatkinson2051]

The only "stuck" clutch I am concerned with is the one stuck on the original motor's shaft. I need to put it on the new motor. There is no bolt. I wish you could help.

[@JoeBakerOutsideTheBox]

If the original motor is scrap, hollow the shaft with a drill bit, drill a hole into the side wall of the hollow all the way to the clutch then pour a little oil into it then pull the clutch with a slide hammer

[@ronaldatkinson2051]

@@JoeBakerOutsideTheBox I appreciate your input. Since then I looked at the "install new clutch" video. There was a "3/8in socket driven, long allen wrench set" shown in tools needed. The video's allen size reference was wrong. Just get a long, full set (mine are from Lowes) metric as primary and SAE as back-up. I forgot which size I needed for the 2014 #718 (2 wheel) tractor, clutch removal for an engine exchange. You will need an impact wrench to drive the socket head machine screw off of the 3/4" shaft. Do not lose the screw or the flat washer. Once the clutch is on the new shaft, the socket head screw is placed using a socket + wrench and then use the impact driver to snug the bolt. The older video shows how to measure placement. A torque wrench is needed to get the right tension of the clutch / assembly, and we'll have fun... fun... fun...

[@tooljockey2777]

Hey joe im having trouble getting the clutch removed from the shaft, I undid the screw and used pullers but the damn thing is stuck on. Any sugestions? could i possibly cut into the clutch to remove it?

[@JoeBakerOutsideTheBox]

Whatever you do, be careful those things are like a loaded gun. I used penetrating oil on the shaft overnight, air hammer chisel on the shaft could work. good luck stay safe

[@tooljockey2777]

Joe Baker i will be careful thanks so much man take care

[@oscarpascual6491]

Hola, es posible que puedan compartir videos en español, gracias

[@patriciolopez7380]

Que porqueria si no hace nada