Traction Differential Lock stuck - won't disengage

[Clodhopper]

Hello - Last year I acquired a used 06 Mahindra 6000 and have been using it to do some landscaping. Recently I used the differential lock for the first time operating on a side slope and was delighted with the improved traction. However when I backed off the engagement pedal the differential lock would not disengage. The pedal and linkage seem to operate as intended but the plunge pin that is pushed inward through the wall of the differential case is not kicked back out by the internal spring when the linkage swings away from it. I have tried pulling the pin outward with pliers but it is very awkward to grasp the outside end of the pin and the pliers slip off. Have also sprayed penetrating oil on the pin where it goes into the differential case and tried rocking the tractor back and forth with the shifter - without success. Suggestions from anyone tuned in here would be appreciated !

 

[k0ua]

Try driving slowly forward and backward while turning the steering wheel so that the rear wheels travel different distances, and see if that helps.

James K0UA

 

[shortthrow50]

Try driving slowly forward and backward while turning the steering wheel so that the rear wheels travel different distances, and see if that helps.

James K0UA

this is the method that has helped me a few times

 

[Clodhopper]

Thanks to both ...will try the described workout

 

[gmwinter]

I have the same problem but when my 4025 unlocks it makes a loud bang. What is being damaged

 

[k0ua]

I have the same problem but when my 4025 unlocks it makes a loud bang. What is being damaged

If you hear a "twang" some models it is just the spring that pulls the actuation lever back up and makes a noise.. They all make some noise, some may be louder than others.

 

[gmwinter]

Its definitely not the spring or the actuating lever the bang is from within and before it lets loose it will drag a tire as if the brake is engaged. However, when I jack both tires up the brake never sticks. Also this condition only exists when the differential lock is applied on my last pull on a log, and when I move after rehooking the tractor to a new log it drags one of the tires until I lock the differential forcing the tire to spin.

 

[k0ua]

Its definitely not the spring or the actuating lever the bang is from within and before it lets loose it will drag a tire as if the brake is engaged. However, when I jack both tires up the brake never sticks. Also this condition only exists when the differential lock is applied on my last pull on a log, and when I move after rehooking the tractor to a new log it drags one of the tires until I lock the differential forcing the tire to spin.

Well, that doesn't sound very good. I imagine a look inside is going to be the only way to know..

 

[George2615]

I had a similar problem with my 2615 Diff lock. On mine the linkage froze up from lack of use. When I pushed the diff lock pedal down when I needed it the pedal would not return. No amount of driving forward, backward, or turning would release the lock. If I hadn't got it freed up something internal would have broke. I spent many hours and several cans of penetrant working the pedal and linkages by hand to get it freed up. Once it freed up I added a return spring to assist pulling the diff lock pedal back up. I found the same problem with all linkages under the back end of the tractor. Once I got them freed up I made it a monthly routine to keep them lubed up to prevent linkage binding or freezing up.