1937 E-38 Cletrac "stuck clutch" Help Please

progich · September 04, 2010, 07:35:41 PM

Hi all,
New owner and first post to this forum. I have been working on getting my Cletrac running, It runs great now that I did a few things but when I try to put it in gear the gears just grind away. I have it at a low idle then push the clutch all the way down then try to put it in gear. It is like the flywheel does not slow down, is this a stuck clutch? If so what can I do at this point? I have it on my trailer at the moment. While in neutral it pulled up the trailer just fine (tracks free). Should I put it in gear and try to pull it with the winch on the trailer to free the clutch? I will block the clutch pedal down before I do this too. Any help would be great. Thanks all, Pete

oliverchris · September 04, 2010, 07:52:37 PM

Yes, your clutch is stuck and your remedy is worth a try.
If you had electric start you could try and start it in 3rd gear, but I guess you have a hand crank model. Not sure the winch will give it enough of a jolt. How about put the Cletrac in gear and tow it with a truck? - don't turn the fuel line on unless you have a driver on the E!
I am sure some others will have good ideas...

progich · September 04, 2010, 08:06:19 PM

Quote from: "oliverchris"Yes, your clutch is stuck and your remedy is worth a try.
If you had electric start you could try and start it in 3rd gear, but I guess you have a hand crank model. Not sure the winch will give it enough of a jolt. How about put the Cletrac in gear and tow it with a truck? - don't turn the fuel line on unless you have a driver on the E!
I am sure some others will have good ideas...

Hi and thanks for your reply,
I was just out and tried to pull it in 2nd gear with the trailer winch but it is dragging the E up the trailer. Its a 9,000 lbs winch so it can pull just about anything. I do have an electric start on the E (It is a Farmer add on at the PTO) but was not sure if I wanted to start it in gear by myself. I am going to step outside and pull the plug wires then turn it over to see if that works. If anybody else can give my some ways to unstick this clutch I would very much appreciate the help. Thanks, Pete

progich · September 04, 2010, 08:22:25 PM

As Oliverchris suggested I put it in 3rd gear then engaged the starter with the clutch fully pressed. all it did was move the Cletrac slowly up the trailer. I then put it in reverse and used the starter to move it back down the trailer. Not sure what to do next? Do I need to chain it to a tree then start it in gear now?

oliverchris · September 04, 2010, 08:45:18 PM

Quote from: "progich"Do I need to chain it to a tree then start it in gear now?

That is exactly what I would do with an electric start. I have an OC3 stuck in the same way and simply cannot unstick it...I am going to try in different weather in case a bit of a damp morning with heavy dew will help?? I was talking to Landis and he said some have a tendency to stick....no rhyme or reason to it though it seems :evil:

Bob · September 05, 2010, 04:21:43 AM

I'd chain it to a tree or something solid (I chose the log truck) give yourself some slack and hit it a couple times, in any gear really. Just don't get ridiculously rough with it to break it, inside or out.

progich · September 05, 2010, 02:13:48 PM

Quote from: "Bob"I'd chain it to a tree or something solid (I chose the log truck) give yourself some slack and hit it a couple times, in any gear really. Just don't get ridiculously rough with it to break it, inside or out.

I'll give this a try today before I decide to tear into it. I just have to show the wife how to stand behind the Cletrac and engage this homemade starter set up while I am in the driver's seat. That should be fun.