DK40- wont shift into low or high range?

[kantuckid]

Reinforced at the factory" vs. "I removed it and welded a reinforcement to it" is a bit confusing? I get design flaw or lube no fixy but lets be clear what happened with your lever? Mine got a dose of lube (no it wasn't a crop duster", just a rattle can, ha ha) and immediately was able to shift smoothly. I'm not a gotcha type of guy but these recent posts leave others who might have this issue questioning what is the situation. My dead in the field tractor easily moved after the lube spray. It had been between ranges thus NO MOVE MODE!
The only other variable would be that a cool down occurred between no shifty and shifty, thus resulting in "now shifts with ease" which is unexplained in my further use of the tractor after the lube job with no seizing?
To jump in with a critique of spray can mechanics is not adding to the discussion. Making a strong steel lever stiffer is not a mechanical fix either as that lever is strong enough for the job given it's size and length. Typically a lever that isn't supposed to flex will be made from a forged piece. This one being so long, I can see the Koreans avoiding the expense of that long a forging. Just maybe there's someone that's had it apart that can say what makes the internals resist movement? The lever is ~3/16" thick and ~1" wide as I recall. A piece of steel that long and cross-section does not flex with hand grabbing in the direction this one moves! Side to side at the handle-yes.
When I said it flexed, I meant in the direction that doesn't really matter.

 

[northcreek2624]

You are really over thinking this thing. I gave my experience and my fix, with a ten year track record for the fix. I didn't mean it to be taken as a "blanket fix" for all tractor repairs. There are recalls all the time because "engineers screw up too".
I have made quite a few improvements to this and other tractors because like most things today, they are built to a "price" and not to a "standard"....I hold up the wimpy range lever as an example....Mike.

 

[kantuckid]

OK, I give. And yes I worked with engineers in industry and know full well that they are human, even our three sons, all engineers who work for a living. As a retired auto tech teacher I do know about recalls too but thanks for the enlightenment efforts?
I stand by my point that this specific lever doesn't flex in the direction it moves the range selector. Side ways wiggle but not that my 220# old fart former college football player arm could move it until I lubed it... "other Mike" :laughing:

 

[northcreek2624]

I stand by my point that this specific lever doesn't flex in the direction it moves the range selector. Side ways wiggle but not that my 220# old fart former college football player arm could move it until I lubed it... "other Mike" :laughing:

Well as one old fart to another I can see your point, as the lube did work. My lever did flex in the operating direction, emphasis on "did". As a retired Electrical performance Supervisor in a fossil power plant we tended to over build things for maximum reliability so it is kind of in my DNA....and I'm too old to change now...just ask my wife....Mike.

 

[kantuckid]

She'd have a hoot talking to mine-that's a fact!
In the FWIW, small world category, one son's a Southern Power engineer and was assigned to that power plant they operate that blew up a couple yrs back- as one of the people sent there to "clean things up"! He said the former plant mgr had been a good ole boy and plant was poorly managed for a long time.

 

[northcreek2624]

No doubt that was a coal fired plant. We never had one of those coal dust explosions but, it was always a concern. If I was just starting out I don't think I would work in one those , then too they are shutting those down every day. My old plant is now mothballed along with it,s sister plant down the Lake.
Maybe a career in tractor lever designing..............

 

[swnoel]

That shifter has always sucked... from the day I owned my tractor to yesterday( 2003)! I'll give the linkage going into the casing a good dose and keep my fingers crossed! I too was amazed at the design of the linkage system... kinda looked like the mouse trap game I played as a kid...

 

[DK35vince]

That shifter has always sucked... from the day I owned my tractor to yesterday( 2003)! I'll give the linkage going into the casing a good dose and keep my fingers crossed! I too was amazed at the design of the linkage system... kinda looked like the mouse trap game I played as a kid...

I have a 2001 DK 35 just like yours and the high low range has always shifted fine.
I have hit the linkage and shaft with lube a few times just to keep it that way.

 

[northcreek2624]

I have a 2001 DK 35 just like yours and the high low range has always shifted fine.
I have hit the linkage and shaft with lube a few times just to keep it that way.

Yeah, I don't know if the 35 and 40 linkages are identical but, even when new(2002) that lever felt like a broom stick handle in a bucket of oat meal. After reinforcing it the shifting became very positive feeling. In the old days that lever would have been cast. If you look at the length of that thing, it's a lot to ask of basic flat stock.

 

[DK35vince]

Yeah, I don't know if the 35 and 40 linkages are identical but, even when new(2002) that lever felt like a broom stick handle in a bucket of oat meal. After reinforcing it the shifting became very positive feeling. In the old days that lever would have been cast. If you look at the length of that thing, it's a lot to ask of basic flat stock.

I think the 35 and 40 have the same lever.
My 35 always shifted high/low range pretty good.
If it starts shifting hard enough to bent the lever something is wrong IMO. And I would start lubing the linkage and shaft.