Heavy Duty Clutch for snow service neccessary?

Dear fellows,

I have a vintage Meyer Plow on my M38A1 which I use these snowy days.
I experienced that my clutch smells (the clutch linkage has enough play, clutch an pressure plate are 5,000 miles old)) and fear to burn it totally.

So the question is:
- Is that normal in snow service (The series clutch was laid out for jeep + trailer use, should be strong enough?)
- Is the series clutch / pressure plate normally strong enough?
- If not is there a heavy duty clutch available on the market for the CJ5 with T90 transmission.
So the question is, if there is a heavy duty clutch available on the market (for the equivalent CJ5 with T90 transmission).

What is your experience?

I appreciate any advice,

thank you in advance friends.

Phil

 

I plowed for years with the same M38A1 set up, no problem with the clutch. Assuming yours is adjusted and in good condition, I'd think it should not smell.

But I am always very careful not to be slipping it excessively or unconsciously - which is easy to forget when plowing. In other words, I was focused on pushing snow or reversing out, lifting and dropping the blade as distinct and separate operations. I concentrated on always using the clutch all the way in, or all the way out out each time - not letting my foot rest half down on the clutch pedal etc.

Generally M38A1 parts are pretty much heavy duty to begin with. But plowing snow is asking a lot of a light vehicle and a small engine. Go easy, take small bites...?

 

It is not a strength thing, it is a frequency of engaging and disengaging per minute thing when plowing snow.

 

A smelly clutch is a sure sign that excess slippage has occurred.
Excess slippage can and will severly shorten clutch service life.

I might suspect you have the 8-1/2 diameter installed.
The HD 9-1/4" Auburn clutch was available since 1961.

Several things can cause excess slippage.

Frequent clutch operation
Incorrect pedal adjustment.
Incorrect lever (finger) adjustment.
Worn driven disk.
Worn pressure plate.
Worn flywheel.
Excess accelleration.
Too high of final drive gearing.
Too much of a of load.

For extensive snow plowing I would recommend the 9-1/4" clutch behind a Hurricane.
Use with #1 T90-C or #2 T98-A transmission and 5.38 final drive.
T98-A is lower geared but the reverse is brutally low at 7.8 to 1

 

I dunno about using one for snow plow duty but, let me tell ya this about that..... I put a HD clutch in my 71 when I rebuilt it and I HATE it. Super stiff pedal. It's a real bear when I'm sittin' on an obstacle waiting for a spotter to give me a signal and then trying to ease the clutch out to get up over that rock or something. It's no fun at all. Plowing might be a different story altogether but, if it was me, I'd go with the stock clutch, no doubt.

 

I had a centerforce clutch on my 71 cj back when.. my girlfriend at the time never complained about the excess pedal. just stiffen the throttle springs and lube the left hand.