This is a trick that I have successfully used.  The use of Diesel fuel to clean parts and de-gunk parts is well know and I have used this to successfully free stuck steering clutches and to degrease engine clutches.  One of the down sides I noticed was the left over oils from Diesel caused the dirt to be attracted to it like it was a magnet.  I looked at degreasing solvents and one that fit the bill nicely was mineral spirits.  

I have usually used between 2-4 gallons of Diesel. Pour in the Diesel and let it sit for a while. Do not forget to put the plugs in place or it will just run out.   Run the machine for a  for a while 3 -5 minutes.  For engine clutches I just work the unit in straight line forward and back and use the clutch to start and stop the unit.  You do not work it full throttle.  On the dry type steering clutchs I just work the steering clutch leaver and may gently apply the brakes. The light, highly detergent diesel will fly along in there and will start to dissolve the gunk.  If the area is really bad you may want to repeat this procedure several times.

The diesel has been drained, you do not want to use anything with water for that will cause the area to rust and could really cause a major problems down the road.  Mineral spirits aka paint thinner, will degrease the area just fine and will not leave a film.  

You drain the diesel, and pour in the mineral spirits, Do the same procedure several times. The grease will gone.  The last thing that you have to do is to apply grease the bearings via the grease fitting.  Otherwise things will be really tough to work.

What I have seen in dry type steering clutches is that dirt and gunk, from grease etc builds up between the clutch plates and do not allow for them to fully disengage from the brake drum. Once they are washed out  which  may take several times, they usually begin to work and hold when you brake them. Also on those clutches that use a fibered clutch plates, oil and water can accumulate on the plates and cause them to slip when the unit is in operation.

Submitted by: drott@ibdozing.com