Traction 3215 (Gear) won't move forward, reverse OK

[arrow]

Well I said I would keep y'all posted so here goes the final outcome of why this machine broke, as told to me by my mechanic: The Fwd-Rev shuttle lever has a shift fork & synchronized gears which slide on a shaft, much like any other shifting set-up. The shift rail is held in position by a c-clip which somehow broke, allowing the whole rail to move when the fork and gear moved. This allowed for in-complete meshing of the gears which eventually wore the teeth to the point of no contact. Here is the sad part: The gear that eventually wore out is only 1/8" thick with fine teeth that are approx. 1/8" tall spaced 1/8" apart ("roughly" since it's likely metric!) I guess I am disappointed that such a light-weight gear is the only link driving this machine forward. BEWARE! do not try to shift gears while "on the roll" (speed shift) and if the FWD-Rev lever is difficult to engage, first move your gear selector to Neutral then the shuttle Fwd/Rev. We do not know why the C-clip broke but my mechanic thought these were possible operating habits to avoid a future failure. Hope this helps others out there with a 3215 Gear.

This is not news without concern for all of us even with the newer models of the older 15 series (16 series). I'm thinking not much has changed drivetrain wise from the then to now as they are still "price point " tractors. C clips let go for mainly 3 reasons: 1. undo sideways torsional stress. 2. They are sitting right next to a frictional mass w/o protection that has sloppy lateral movement causing the clip to wear. 3. they are made with cheaper metal. I use my 3016 gear infrequently but I use it hard when i do. I'm going to be real disappointed if this thing lets go within 5 years as i'm torquing out a 3000 lb hitch of stems because of a main forward drive gear that is obviously undersized. In my mind it should have been at least a 1/2" gear. It begins to make me wonder why other brands are more expensive. Thanks for the follow up.

 

[seaneastok]

It begins to make me wonder why other brands are more expensive. Thanks for the follow up.

Just my thoughts but it's not really the brand. If I remember correctly the 3215 is manufactured by Mitsubishi for Mahindra,and "the more expensive brands"..
Regards
Sean

 

[AchingBack]

Arrow, I've read Mindys60's review of her 3215. She has over 500 hours on the tractor in just two years of use on a property 50-100 acres. If I were you I'd rest easy. My gut tells me the tractor was abused. Mahindra 3215 Review by Mindys60 - TractorByNet.com

 

[Mindys60]

Gents: This tractor was originally purchased by a friend back in 2008 so it is now 6 years old with just over 500 hours...not much if you ask me since most of these are from towing a finish mower. I have owned it for 2 years. To quote Arrow, I too use the tractor "hard when it is in use" although I've used or owned 6 other tractors in my career without ever seeing this sever of a breakdown. Abused? Well, to me that is a relative term. I work a tractor with common sense, not "kid gloves" knowing all the while, if it breaks down, it will cost ME and I will be forced to pay for my actions. The good man who dissected this Mahindra was shocked at the sight of "why" it was in his hands & I thought it best to alert those of you who may have a similar machine. The gear which propels this machine is, in my eyes severely under-sized and my follow-up is to let fellow owners know to treat the machine with "kid gloves" or just sell it to someone who might. Cheers! Oh, and BTW, "Mindy" is my pet name for the tractor (based on Mahindra....since I have to treat her like a woman :laughing:

Arrow, I've read Mindys60's review of her 3215. She has over 500 hours on the tractor in just two years of use on a property 50-100 acres. If I were you I'd rest easy. My gut tells me the tractor was abused. Mahindra 3215 Review by Mindys60 - TractorByNet.com

 

[Mindys60]

On the stamped decal, attached to the engine with the serial number, it says "manufactured by Mitsbishi Heavy Industries" so your memory serves you well!

Just my thoughts but it's not really the brand. If I remember correctly the 3215 is manufactured by Mitsubishi for Mahindra,and "the more expensive brands"..
Regards
Sean

 

[arrow]

Just my thoughts but it's not really the brand. If I remember correctly the 3215 is manufactured by Mitsubishi for Mahindra,and "the more expensive brands"..
Regards
Sean

Actually it's not Sean. The 16 series is built to compete with the price point tractors from Kioti, Kubot, JD and others. My tractor has a very archaic shift linkage that just yells "CHEAP". Sure it works but the main reason I ended up with the 3016 was because of price. I thought there were better built tractors elsewhere but they simply did not meet my needs. I just could not see the value of other's 3 to 6 grand more price points for their stuff some of which had a 6 grand price increase since 2008. I know steel went up but not by that much!. Now this is what I could see. Inside the gear box is another matter completely and from what Mindy describes and if they did not change build specs, then there just might be cause for concern. We'll see.

 

[AchingBack]

Go to a rental yard and try to find a geared tractor for rent. Around here you can't because they don't carry them because people abuse them. Mindys60 bought a used tractor. There's no telling what the previous operators may have done to it.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Some where in the early 16 series, there was an upgrade to the transmission. I don't know what and I am not sure if it was to the gear models or the HST models or both, but there was an upgrade of some kind, that much I know for sure.

Maybe one of the dealers can-will let us know.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Yes, there was a complete tractor redesign. I don't know what the internal changes were, but I know that the hydro's were quieter. Also, this is the first I have heard about this particular problem. Maybe some of the other dealers have run into it, or have heard about it.

 

[Blue_Sky]

I have never owned anything but a gear tractor. A lot of folks can not drive a straight stick truck either. Hydro's have a lot of moving parts and that means more trouble I guess.