4600 HST - will not go into lowest forward speed

[quid_non]

Greetings all!
Got a 4600 HST w/ ~1000hrs. Over the past 4-5 months it was difficult to get into the lowest ("A") forward gear - but with gentle rocking of the pedals it would engage. Now, no matter what I do I can't seem to get it to go into this lowest forward gear - - no problems with mid or hi range ("B or C"), just the lowest range. Make no difference if it is in 4WD or not. In the low range - I can hear the gears "meshing or grinding" if I push on the lever hard enough, but it will not engage gear. I did not see any obvious problems at the linkage, changes HST oil, filter and cleaned screen about 50 hrs ago.

Any suggestions or things I should look at?
Thanks!!

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Check your linkage, on my Kubota, the shift linkage is a small 5/16" bar and it got slightly bent from trying to shift into low range. When the road bent, the engagement lever wouldn't travel far enough to engage the gear unless it was perfectly lined up in the tranny. That may be part of the problem? My Kubota has always been a bit finicky about shifting into low though.

 

[bigbull338]

you might also want to check your roller ball on your shifter fork.

 

[quid_non]

Good idea -thanks will look at linkage more closely!

 

[mfreund]

I believe in the 4x00 series of Deere tractors they were known to break the shift lever off at a o ring groove. If you search you should be able to find some threads. In other words don't push too hard on the range lever.

Here is one:http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-jd4300-catastrophic-failure-shift-shaft.html