How To Adjust Your Yanmar Clutch

You should check your Yanmar's clutch pedal occasionally to be sure that it is adjusted correctly. Your clutch pedal should have appx 3/4" of free travel. That is, you should be able to

 press the pedal down roughly 3/4" with just one finger.

If the pedal has too little free travel then the release bearing could be riding on the pressure plate and will drastically decrease its life expectancy. If the pedal is set with too much free travel then you might not be able to release the clutch completely when you press the pedal. This can cause excessive clutch wear and also make it very hard to get the transmission into gear. 

To adjust the clutch you will just loosen the locking nuts on the clutch adjustment rod and turn the turnbuckle in the middle to lengthen or shorten then rod. Lengthening the rod lowers the free travel and shortening it will increase the free travel. Check your pedal free travel as you adjust the turnbuckle and, when you have the correct free travel, tighten the locking nuts to keep the turnbuckle from moving.

Some powershift models also have a small PowerShift Brake release lever that needs to be adjusted occasionally. To adjust that lever, let the clutch pedal move fully to the up position. Unscrew the locking nuts on

 the adjustment linkage, push the PowerShift brake lever fully forward using just your fingers, and then tighten the locking nuts.

 Mechanic Tip:
Do not operate the tractor with your foot on the clutch pedal. I know this is a very convenient footrest but, by resting your foot on the pedal, you are pushing the release bearing into the pressure plate causing it to continuously spin. That bearing is not really designed to constantly spin and you will reduce its life expectancy. 

Mechanic Tip #2
Always block the clutch pedal down when you are not using the tractor. Otherwise, your clutch might get stuck to the flywheel.