Clifford rotavator mk1? with villiers engine clutch problem?

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hello, I hope someone can help, my Clifford has stopped driving the rotors or the gears ( They do turn but very slowly), I have taken the top of the gearbox and the clutch looks like 5 or 6 discs, is this run in oil as the box looks half full so would guess the clutch would get oiled but then how does it grip to get drive? are the cluth disc’s available to buy, really appreciate any help,thanks Ivor

[charlie]

What model of Clifford is it? Photos would help, note file size limit for uploading photos.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I will put a photo on soon but looking at other pictures on the net I’m sure it is a MK1 circa 1955,thanks for quick reply

[vhgmcbuddy]

Sorry can’t reduce picture size to add photo

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[trusty220]

Download Shrinkpic and it will automatically downsize any photo’s that you want to include.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I had a similar problem with my Mk1 clifford. To solve it I gently eased the discs apart with a screwdriver (they seemed to have seized together) So I freed them up and it has worked perfectly since. Do be careful doing this as from my knowledge these discs are not available for sale.

Yes, the clutch does run in oil and there is an oil fill on top of the gearbox and an oil drain plug underneath it and I think there is a level plug too.
It might be worth draining the existing oil and replacing it with 3 pints of Castrol XXL which is what the manual calls for.
Hope this helps.
Ben.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi Ben, thanks for that info, I’m surprised to here the clutch runs in oil, having worked on cars for years oil and clutch plate don’t go together, on close inspection the disc’s have chunks broken off in places and if they are unavailable sadly it may be the end of the road for this machine which is a shame as every thing else works fine, regards Ivor

[vhgmcbuddy]

Yes, running in oil does seem strange. If bits have broken off and got lodged between the discs it might explain the symptoms you described. It might be worth taking them out (never done this myself, but have read of someone who did) and cleaning them up, plus a light rub over with emery paper or similar and replacing them, being careful to replace them in the same order. These Rotavators do sometimes become available on that auction site and perhaps like me you could make one good one out of two!

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thank you I will try that, unfortunately for me I was just borrowing it from my father in law to do a small veg patch but as always seems to happen when you borrow things they brake while in your possession, do you know if there are any downloads of workshop manual for this machine or would I have to try and buy one.

[charlie]

Below are the relevant pages showing clutch. The manuals do come up on that well known auction website.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Thank you for your help, just hope I can find a clutch if needed.

[mickattwo]

I have a Mk 1 gearbox that you can have for a nominal price
PM me and I live on the Sheffield/Chesterfirield border

[jwilkes]

Hi

I had the same problem solved when I bought some clutch plate offcuts from a specialist supplier in the west midlands and cut the plates myself using a scroll saw and many saw blades. Suppliers use Waterjet cutting as friction material is abrasive

If you get a drawing you may find that the ransomes mowers use the same sizes

Good luck
Jeremy

[will-haggle]

Most motorcycle clutches run in oil, Norton book recommends SAE 30 oil but ATF is better, if you can keep it in the primary chaincase. Plates had cork inserts in the early days but later they were faced with Ferodo material. The albion clutches on many of our machines are similar to lightweight motorcycle clutches.

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