TC45 won't go in M-H range

[jml755]

Horse farm where I board my horse called tonite. Their TC45 would only inch along. It's a 12x12 transmission with FWD. It moves in LO, all 4 gears, F & R. Not sure if it's moving at the correct speed, though. But MID range it just barely moves and in HI doesn't move at all. I checked the fluid which was just changed couple of months ago by the dealer when they came out and did a complete maintenance check. Fluid was full and clean. Funny thing I noticed was that I could not move the FWD lever UP or DOWN. Seemed stuck. The owner said they never use FWD, so it's a guess as to how long that might have been like that. Machine is mostly used for dragging riding arenas, doesn't see a lot of hard work. It's cold up here in Michigan and the TC is normally parked outside. I moved it into a heated (42 deg) barn to see if it's any better tomorrow AM. Although it's been through a number of Michigan winters before without any problems. Any ideas or thoughts before we haul it to the dealer?

 

[RickB]

Check the clutch pedal freeplay. Seems like the clutch is either out of adjustment, or shot.

 

[tawilson]

It wouldn't have a creeper gear that someone engaged. Don't know if it would act as described, as I don't have one, but it is an option for my 2120.

 

[dave1949]

Don't know about the M-H issue. I think you should be able to shift the range lever while the tractor is sitting still on level ground with everything in neutral without using the clutch at all.

You can try backing up 3-4 feet on level ground then try to engage the FWD. On mine, you pull up on the lever to go from 2wd to 4wd. My experience has been same as others have posted, you need to 'unwind' the gear tension to switch between 2 and 4 wheel.

Good luck
Dave.

 

[jml755]

Thanks for the replies, guys. RickB, that makes sense about the clutch, so I'm going to try and adjust the clutch tonite. I'll also play with the FWD some more, as well. Lever linkage might just be stiff and gunked up from never being used.

 

[tawilson]

Another trick I learned here is to use the bucket to lift the front wheels up.

 

[jinman]

The clutch as RickB suggested was the first thing that popped into my head when I read your post. That's exactly how a slipping clutch reacts. In higher gear ranges it takes more torque to move the tractor and a slipping clutch cannot deliver the torque. I suppose there could be moisture that froze and is keeping the clutch from engaging, but if the tractor is inside where it's warm overnight, that should take care of any ice.

Don't be distracted by the FWD lever being stiff. That's a common and different issue to the one you are having with the clutch.

 

[RobertN]

Is there a big tree or post you can pull up to? If you could ease up to one in mid-range, and see if it either stalls, or it slips? Would tell you real quick if it is the clutch... Or, run the loader into a big pile of dirt.

By desciption, it probably would not hurt to grease all the zerks too. Might loosen up some of the levers.

 

[RickB]

He's not saying it won't shift into Medium or High. When he gets there, it doesn't want to move. FWIW, there are no grease zerks on the shifter linkages.

 

[dave1949]

He's not saying it won't shift into Medium or High. When he gets there, it doesn't want to move. FWIW, there are no grease zerks on the shifter linkages.

Yeah, I noticed that too late Sorry. Wonder how he is doing?
Dave.