1992 Ford 3930 shifting problems

[benny70hemibird]

Hi all. I have a '92 3930 with 1350 hours. It has developed a problem that is getting worse and I'd like to ask you'all for a tip or two. The clutch works great and it's still strong, no slips, no erratic operation, etc. My trouble is this: When you push the clutch in to put the tractor into reverse or if you were in reverse and want to shift into 1-2-3-4 or just whatever gear, the trans grinds badly and the tractor will not let you shift, period, no way it's going into gear unless you shut it off, place it into whatever gear you want, start it and then try to get the low/high range shift to go into gear, which it will, while grinding and then the tractor lurchs forward. This is getting to be a problem. I have about 1-2" of pedal free play, the clutch lets out great and it will stall the tractor without slipping, but I cannot get that dude to go into gear. It's the original clutch and the tractor has not been used for anything but pulling a 6' bushog. Any ideas's and thanks!

 

[whodat526]

sounds like the clutch is stuck

 

[dapper]

Benny,
I hear ya. I have a 3430 that is doing the same thing. If you're at a dead stop, and have both the gear shift and the range lever in neutral, I have trouble putting it in any gear, or either range, without grinding. Sometimes it seems to work ok, but others I just have to kind of jam it into gear. Thought might be thick cold oil, but changed with fresh new, and no help. For WHO: I thought the clutch or thro-out need adjusting, but this isn't it, or dosnt' seem to be anyway. Tried adjustment and no help. I don't believe the clutch is sticking, and it seems to be working just fine after in gear, starting and stopping tractor with no issues ether direction. Once you get it in gear with the clutch depressed, it doesn't want to pull or have any torque on the gears that I can feel any way. At least on mine anyway. It is a 3430, with 2500 hr on it if it helps. I sure hope I am wrong, and will wait to see where this thread goes. I hope to learn something, and I usually do.

 

[benny70hemibird]

Wow, have you been driving mine, too?? They must be twins. I don't know what the heck to do about this thing. I thought about tearing into it and replacing what ever is broken, but that's just the question.......is it broken or just the nature of the beast? Either way, it has really soured me on this 3930 and I have been a Ford driven/lover since childhood. I hope that somebody can offer us a repair procedure. I really appreciate you and the reply. God bless

 

[crankshaft21]

I think it is like who wrote, that the clutch plate is sticking to the pressure plate. There should be a inspection port on the bell housing, have someone press the clutch pedel and look in through the inspect port and see if it is stuck. Sometime you can use a long screw driver to separate the clutch from the pressure plate.

 

[benny70hemibird]

Consider it done! Thank you for that suggestion. I never even thought of that.

 

[Jbrink64]

I will assume it has the 8X8 syncro trans, that's the common one for a -30 series.

If it's not the clutch dragging, then probably the PTO input shaft is binding on the trans input shaft.

There is a lube pump on these transmissions, and a suction filter that needs to be serviced periodically.

 

[benny70hemibird]

Thanks. Where is this filter located? I'll go get one and see if this helps it.

 

[Jbrink64]

you have to drain the trans, remove the FWD driveshaft and guard (if equiped).

It looks like a small cover with 4 bolts retaining it on the bottom of the trans housing.

 

[benny70hemibird]

Ok, thank you. That looks like my job for tomorrow. I appreciate you'all for the help very much.

 

[whodat526]

do u have a shuttle shift if not u wont have no filter. i really dont think the trans has a filter on the shuttle shift tractors either. because they have a manual shuttle. just on the tractors to has dual power

 

[benny70hemibird]

No, no shuttle shift. It's just the basic 8x8. Nothing special on this one.

 

[Jbrink64]

do u have a shuttle shift if not u wont have no filter. i really dont think the trans has a filter on the shuttle shift tractors either. because they have a manual shuttle. just on the tractors to has dual power

It's there. They have a lube pump.

 

[Jbrink64]

It's #15

 

[benny70hemibird]

I called my NH dealer today and told them I wanted to come get that filter you mentioned. They told me that they didn't know what I was talking about. I could'nt explain it any better than what you told me, but I know now from that diagram and with said, I will be there Monday to retrieve it :thumbsup:

 

[whodat526]

i know i have bought and sold many of them and also have worked on them and never seen a filter in anyone i had

 

[Jbrink64]

I believe there is also a transmission cooler on this model. If so, you might want to disconnect one of the cooler tubes, start the engine, and check for oil flow. There has been instances of pump failures on early models.

 

[dapper]

Benny, has there been any update? Have you tried the filter? Checking for a stuck clutch? Any thing help at all?
Thanks.

 

[jimmysisson]

Any chance the pilot bushing is dry and turning the trans input shaft?
Or did you find out what was wrong?
Jim

 

[GS SPEED]

well Benny -I just got on this site--so i'm late with the fix -but this is what you do--
You know that big peddle on the left--the one you push down to disengage the clutch?? find it? ok look on the left side of your tractor -down around the clutch area- see the lever there?? find it? thats the cluch lever. ok got it-- now look for the rod that connects the two--- find it?? see the nuts and treads on each end by the clevises? ok now for the BIG FIX-- 1 unpin a clevis--you pick which one--2 loosen the nut and turn the clevis till you shorten the rod a little ---3 tighten the nut and hook it back up--ok --got it--4 now start your 3930 and drive around and shift the gears -- ok got it?