I have to wonder if adding a couple pumps of grease makes any difference in the noises you hear?

I would guess the bearing is probably toast at this point, but no telling with the rest of the components. Continued use will no doubt end in complete failure at some point. The carrier it rides on would be at risk, as would the release lever contact points on the pressure plate. Those are of little concern as they would be new with a replacement pressure plate. (which you would most likely want/need anyway) The carrier may well be available aftermarket and depending on the nature of bearing failure may not be damaged at all.

The biggest question in my mind is when it finally fails completely, will the tractor be stopped and you can't get it into gear, or will you be travelling and can't get it stopped? Other than that, I see little danger of much extra damage running it a bit longer.

 

If you are hearing a continuous high pitch noise after a few minutes operation, it would indicate to me that your throwout bearing is making continuous contact with the clutch release mechanism?? Have you checked the free play of your clutch pedal? Push your clutch pedal down by hand to see if you can feel the bearing make contact with the release forks. Normally, you need 1" to 1-1/2 inches free play in your clutch pedal. Don't know what it should be for an Oliver.

 

I will definitely look into that adjustment. Fortunately, I've got all shop manuals for specs and description. I'm not a mechanic, so I could not have guessed that possibility., Thanks

 

If you are hearing a continuous high pitch noise after a few minutes operation, it would indicate to me that your throwout bearing is making continuous contact with the clutch release mechanism?? Have you checked the free play of your clutch pedal? Push your clutch pedal down by hand to see if you can feel the bearing make contact with the release forks. Normally, you need 1" to 1-1/2 inches free play in your clutch pedal. Don't know what it should be for an Oliver.

I have to wonder if adding a couple pumps of grease makes any difference in the noises you hear?

I would guess the bearing is probably toast at this point, but no telling with the rest of the components. Continued use will no doubt end in complete failure at some point. The carrier it rides on would be at risk, as would the release lever contact points on the pressure plate. Those are of little concern as they would be new with a replacement pressure plate. (which you would most likely want/need anyway) The carrier may well be available aftermarket and depending on the nature of bearing failure may not be damaged at all.

The biggest question in my mind is when it finally fails completely, will the tractor be stopped and you can't get it into gear, or will you be travelling and can't get it stopped? Other than that, I see little danger of much extra damage running it a bit longer.

Thanks, with your comments, I've got a better idea of the risk of waiting a little. For now my use is limited and I avoid exposing the tractor to locations where I could experience clutch failure. Z- splitting procedure is well explained, but I'm not sure I have enough mechanical background to risk it by myself. I don't have the time and space to fix it now.

 

Be cautious with the tractor. If it is the release bearing bad and it locks up it will quickly chew thru the release fingers, the pedal will be very easy to push but the tractor will NOT stop until you kill the engine. So either be prepared for that and hope it doesn't do that when you NEED to stop or get it repaired ASAP for safety.

 

I'm aware of that risk, I hardly use the tractor anymore except in conditions where I can control a clutch failure. The beast has a sub-frame, loader, cabin and equipement tadding up to about 7000 pounds. Not a simple lawn mower... and even loading such weight on a towing with the engine engaged would be extremely difficult.

I have not completely eliminated the possibility that the water pump bearing is causing the noise too. But let say, the probability is less than 20% in my mind.

 

No Matter what, you must check the clutch freeplay to make sure that the throwout bearing is not dragging! To check/adjust freeplay is a very easy thing to do with only minimum mechanical knowledge.

 

This is the very first thing I will do after winter is over. The tractor is currently in storage.
Thanks