Re: International 444 Diesel, Clutch

Barney: I too doubt if you have anything wrong. Tractors in general are like that once you get over 25-30 hp. I doubt if the spring on the pedal will help much, it's only designed to keep pedal linkage off the release bearing.

The springs creating the real load your wife finds not too pleasant are the pressure plate springs, and they've got to be that heavy. IH changed from Auburn clutches to Rockford clutches in 1953. The difference in most models was going from a 3 spring pressure plate to a 6 spring. I realize this was some time before your 444. No question the heavy 6 spring clutches were much more durable. Even the 20 hp Super A was burning up clutch discs with the old 3 spring pressure plate. Back in those days, loader tractors were burning out clutches at unacceptable rates. My dad had a 51 H with loader and the old clutch, he only kept that tractor 4 years from new and in that time he replaced the clutch.

An interesting side note, I never thought tractor clutch pedals were that hard to hold down until I got my first round baler and had to sit there with clutch down while bale wrapped and ejected, probably 30 seconds. It seemed like a long time on a 560 diesel. By the mid 70s most new tractors over 50 hp were coming with power assisted hydraulic clutches. I haven't looked but expect even the small tractors have hydraulic clutches today.

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