3550 Shuttle Lever Very Stiff In Cold

tbzep · Jan 6, 2017

The shuttle lever has gotten almost impossible to move in near freezing temps and below. It stays in the dry so there is no ice and stiffens before hitting 32 anyway. Has anyone experienced this and happen to know where it is binding so that I can lube it with something that doesn't harden in the cold?

Dmz2540 · Jan 8, 2017

I have a 2540 shuttle.. I notice that too around the 60 hours, and it was in the hot days we hardly get cold fronts in south tx.. I lube all the linkage down to the transmission same results. It was the one that was holding the shifter under the dash close to the steering column.. hope this helps

tbzep · Jan 8, 2017

Dmz2540 said:
I have a 2540 shuttle.. I notice that too around the 60 hours, and it was in the hot days we hardly get cold fronts in south tx.. I lube all the linkage down to the transmission same results. It was the one that was holding the shifter under the dash close to the steering column.. hope this helps

I'll dig in and take a look. Thanks.

tbzep · Jan 9, 2017

Update: I haven't had time to work on the tractor, but the temperature was around 38-40 today and the shuttle lever worked just fine. It will give me trouble again next cold spell. Hopefully I can figure out where it is binding without having to work on it in freezing temps.

RNeumann · Jan 9, 2017

I know nothing about the design of this. Do you know if this is actual mechanical linkage or a cable and housing? If it's cable and housing maybe some contamination has gotten inside? Just throwing darts at it....

pyro29 · Jan 10, 2017

My 4035 does the same thing, both the 4035 and the 3550 share the same linkage. I have found that a shot of WD40 or PB blaster onto the ball that locks the lever in place will help keep it a little easier to move. I have read that you can get water in the cable for the shuttle cock. Once water is in there, it won't drain out, so, even when stored covered and dry, it is entirely possible that the line may be freezing.

If it is forecast to be below 28 or so, I will plug in the tractor for at least six hours while keeping the hood and dash covered with a duck tarp. I have found that the small amount of heat coming off the engine is enough to have the shuttle cock nice and free when I go to start it up.

Once it warms up this spring, I will completely fill the shuttle cock cable with pressurized grease to remove whatever water I have in there.