Adjusting engine clutch free play

[andyvt]

When I depress the clutch pedal on my 450C it will push straight to the stop with no apparent difference in stroke feel.
I am guessing that free play needs to be adjusted.
Which direction should I be turning the adjustment bolt to gain the proper amount of free play?

[Jim B]

I have likely asked you before and forgot your answer. Do you have TM1102, The technical manual for your 450C? There is a section on adjusting the engine clutch and H-L-R clutch valve. They are both supposed to be done when the engine clutch needs adjusting. There are steps to be followed, for them to work together properly. There is a fair bit to it and following the manual is the best way. I expect it tells you loosening the bolt increases free play.

Have you checked your transmission out anymore?

[andyvt]

I do have TM1102 and have read the relevant section
I just wanted a starting point.
I have not done any investigation of the transmission what with the cold weather.
The old girl is going to be sitting till spring.
Thanks for your feedback

[andyvt]

I attempted to adjust clutch free play and started by backing the bolt out and could discern no apparent change in pedal feel even when it was backed out to the max. I then tried screwing it back in and all that seemed to happen is the pedal “bottomed” out sooner but still no free play feel.
I must admit that my mechanical ignorance exceeds my knowledge so I’m pretty much shooting in the dark when it comes to determining the correct pedal feel.
As an fyi, in its current condition, I can easily engage the gears with no grinding or resistance so I don’t know how it would work if properly adjusted. Like I explained in another post, when in 2nd gear it will run out of pushing power and basically just sit there but not revving like it would if the clutch was slipping, just not moving with the engine at whatever rpm it was at when operating.

[Jim B]

Backing the screw out should increase pedal free play. Turning it in lessens the free play. You will need to feel carefully as you turn the screw in to reduce the pedal free play. Since you are working against the return spring it will be difficult to feel the point the throwout bearing touches the pressure plate fingers (zero free play). If you have a borescope, you might be able to go in through the hole where you adjust the HLR clutch valve and see when the throwout bearing touches the fingers, then back away from there to set the pedal free play.

[andyvt]

Thanks I do have a scope and when we next get a break in the weather I will check.

[andyvt]

Today I tried adjusting the clutch pedal.
From the original setting I backed off the adjusting bolt till it bottomed out and then tried the dozer out and found that when I shifted the HLR forward or backwards the engagement was pretty hard. It sort of “slammed “ into gear.
I then readjusted the bolt halfway back to the original setting and this time it was a much smoother engagement.
I then tried pushing some frozen snow banks and in 2nd gear high range it pushed through them easily and that was only at 1/2 throttle.
I didn’t measure free play but it already seems much stronger.