Difficult shifting on new B3030 HST

[jstreet]

Does anyone have any advice for easier shifting of a new B3030 with HST (and no clutch)?
Kubota's advice (on stickers and in the manual), for difficulty in shifting, is to lightly touch the pedal in forward or reverse to ease shifting from neutral into H, M or L, and firmly press the brake pedals for a few seconds to shift from one of the ranges back into neutral.
These methods work, but often only after several annoying repetitions of the above procedures. When I'm doing work that requires frequently getting on and off the tractor (and not wanting to leave it running while in "gear"), this can be quite bothersome.
Has anyone else experienced this, and/or found a better solution? Might my first transmission oil change (still 40 hours away) possibly make a difference?

 

[Bob53]

When I go from 1st to 2nd, i stop the tractor make sure pedal is center neutral, and the put in other gear. If i get off tractor, again make sure tractor pedal is center neutral and put emergency brake on and get off to work with hoe or whatever. Really i used to like the manual transmistion and did feel a little akward when i started to use hydro but now its not problem. make sure hydro linkage is greased thru fitting under tractor or pain when the pedal does not return to netral automaticly. I do not think you will see a defferance after the 50hr change.

 

[ronjhall]

MY B2910 can be difficult to shift with the brakes set. Especially if not on level ground. Try setting on level ground without the brakes set when shifting ranges.
I do not take my tractor out of range when I get off tractor. But do not set the brakes when getting off. Your tractor may not allow you to get off with tractor in gear.

 

[BandDcabinet]

I have a B3030 with about 58 hours on it. Initially for the first few hours I recall having to work at shifting between ranges. Brake and centering method always worked. Only time I notice any issues today is on an incline or if I am shifting to a lower range because of load. Even then it is not difficult and a quick centering or direction change to release the load or the application of the brake facilitates the shift. Not really any different or more effort than double clutching to synchronize the gears.

 

[bugstruck]

Even my L series was difficult for the first 20 hours or so. Some was me and some was breakin. Still doesn't like to change range if on an incline, even with the clutch depressed. Fully unload the axles and is moves easily. Without a clutch that must be even more important.

 

[kingoflawns]

My 3030 was very hard to shift at first, now that she's through break in it's not so hard. Shifting into 4wd or high gear can still be a little tough, but thats because i rarely use them.

 

[texasjohn]

I've got a L5030 HST and when I first started driving it I considered it difficult to shift from H to M to L range. Then, I read the manual. I discovered it's kinda like double clutching. Push the clutch in ALL the way. Engine speed is idle. Try to move the lever as desired. If difficult, JUST SLIGHTLY move foot pedal for forward motion WHILE pressing gently on H/M/L shift lever in desired direction and letting off ever so gently on the clutch. Lever will either slip easily in the direction desired, or you'll feel a bumping/grinding of gears .... let off of the forward/reverse pedal and again try to move H/M/L shift lever in desired direction with clutch STILL fully depressed. This works for me... and I still need to do it at 400 hrs on tractor... not a break in thing... tractor WILL NOT shift while moving nor will it shift, it seems, unless the gears are positioned just right. The feathering forward/reverse seems to align the gears so you can shift... a little practice and it is not a problem.

The key is: dont force it ... if it isn't easy, it's not quite aligned yet.

Hope this helps.

 

[Barnboy]

After my 50 hr service my shifting became much easier. I did switch to sudt. Dont know if that had something to do with it or not.

 

[jstreet]

Thanks all. John, I'll try your method of pressing the forward pedal VERY slightly -- maybe slightlier (?) than I've been doing -- while gently trying to move the shift lever.
Again, my 3030 does NOT have a clutch.

 

[MadReferee]

My B2710 with just under 1000 hours is still hard to shift sometimes. Tapping the foward peddle usually will allow subsequent engagement.