Smoke From Clutch Inspection hole?

[keyser]

I did some maintenance work to my 59 cub lo boy this week (which is new to me), drained radiator, replaced radiator gasket and coolant elbow gasket, changed the oil and added marvel's with low ash sae 30, replaced gasket/screen in sediment bowl, refilled gas with seafoam added, and lubed the fan. Once I was done I took it for about a 20 minute ride to warm up. I wanted to check out how it mowed so I made a couple stripes through some taller dry grass then parked it a just a couple of minutes. Upon restarting it, dark smoke started coming from the clutch inspection hole (realized tonight it doesn't have a cover on it). I turned it off and checked the hole and there was just a little bit of grass inside the hole. I started it up again and ran it a little while longer and haven't had smoke since. Any idea why I would I have smoke coming from there? I'm new to these tractors and don't know how concerned I should be.

[randallc]

Welcome to the forum from Arkansas. I don't have a clue where dark smoke would have come from on start up. Lot of stuff can get inside the tubes and build nest if you don't have the inspection cover on it.
Sounds like you are enjoying your cub. I expect that you have already checked out all the information on this forum which the links can be found on the top of the pages.

[Scrivet]

Since you said it happened on start up were you holding the clutch pedal down? For an extended period of time? If you are not familiar with the clutch and throw out bearing (TOB) set up on a Cub then I suggest you do a little reading up on it.

Short version; start it in neutral with foot off clutch. Only use the clutch when shifting gears. Get on and get off clutch. The TOB is a graphite block, that doesn't spin, that should be grease soaked. Holding the clutch down for extended lengths can heat the clutch fingers and smoke the grease. It's not a roller bearing that most people are used to. It is a fine system if adjusted correctly and used properly.

[Mike in Louisiana]

Available from TM for 15.43 or make your own.