BX23 differential lock not engaging

[ScottBX23]

Hi all..

I have been doing a fair amount of digging this summer (approx. 200yds – mostly through shale). I’ve had no problem engaging the differential lock and could get all four wheels to spin. I’ve learned not to push it too much since it tends to rip up the bar tiers when they spin. I recently removed the backhoe for winter storage and attached the back blade.

While smoothing out the drive, I found the differential lock did not engage and the tractor spun out with one rear wheel. The tractor is not making any abnormal noises, has about 150 hrs, and scheduled maintenance performed on it. The tractor lives outside, but is covered with a tarp.

My initial thought is that the differential lock arm is just not turning the differential lock shaft far enough or there is some internal minor sticking keeping everything from engaging. Looking at the pedal linkage, it does not appear to have any adjustments.

I thought I would put this out to see if anybody has some ideas prior to having the dealer pick it up next week. Work can be done under warranty but I have to pay for pickup and return – 80 miles.

 

[HomeBrew2]

I use my lock a lot and found myself stomping on it harder and harder as time went on (450 hrs now) to get it to engage. There is a short (maybe 2") piece of bar stock that connects, with bolts, the foot lever portion of the linkage to the portion that goes to the diffy. This piece is very thin, 3/32" if I recall and had fatigued over time. It was bent slightly and flexed a LOT when the pedal was depressed. I removed that piece an made a replacement out of 1/4" bar. It works better than new now. Dunno if your prob is the same though.
Cheers!

 

[rdsaustintx]

Well golly Scott. I saw that post hang here a couple of days without a response, which is unusual. But Homebrew saved the day!!! I have same tractor and hours, but have punched the diff lock maybe 12 times (It do tear up the ags).

Steve (brew), your collection of implements is toooo cooool!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Love the hood-mount carryall. Stupid me built a trailer /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Russell in Tejas

 

[HomeBrew2]

Thanks! It's hard to say what's more fun ... running the tractor or making more stuff for it /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Happy New Year!

 

[JerryG]

How do you engage the lock?

 

[ScottBX23]

Steve, I looked at the linkage and indeed that short piece of bar stock does have a slight bend in it. I’ll try replacing it with heavier stock. Thanks for the reply – hopefully this simple fix will save me the transport $$$. What a work horse you’ve turned your BX into!! I could easily make use of your grader gauge wheels and thumb (planning to build a 150’ long x 4’ high rock wall this summer).

Russell, I figured the holidays had an impact to the low response number.

Jerry – I don’t engage while the wheels a slipping but while there is still some forward motion or stopped. It sometimes takes a little bit of movement before the gears lock.

Happy New Years to all.

 

[HomeBrew2]

I hope the linkage fix works for you.
Both the gauge wheels and thumb are extremely easy and cheap solutions and you'll be absolutely amazed at the quanity and quality of work you can do with them. They make a totally unskilled tractor operator like me look like I know what I'm doing /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Cheers!

 

[JerryG]

<font color="blue"> I don’t engage while the wheels a slipping but while there is still some forward motion or stopped. It sometimes takes a little bit of movement before the gears lock. </font>
That was about what I was hoping that you would say. There are some that just stomp it while the wheels are spinning and then they don't understand when something breaks. If it won't go in when the wheels are stopped, it is all right to ease the wheels just a bit.

 

[escavader]

I wish there was a way to lock it while plowing on an icy drive without having to hold your foot on it.
ALAN

 

[JerryG]

I know what you mean. Massey use to make large forklifts for rough conditions. On these forklifts the differential lock was engaged with a long upright handle like a shifter. I would like to have one like that for when I get in such a bad place that I have to use the accelerator pedal and the brake at the same time. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif