DK50SE stuck in low range

[k0ua]

So is that like some sort of galling on the surface of the fork?

 

[Kioti Paul]

I have a DK45SC that I bought new in 2010, that had (almost) the same problem! My symptoms were not with the "range", but with the "speeds", (mine is not the hydrostatic model).

My tractor was always difficult to put into 1st gear, it was just 'stiff'. I thought (hoped) it would free up with age, but just got worse, until eventually it would not go into 1st gear at all.
When I pulled the 'fork' cover off, I discovered the 1-2 fork completely worn out, exactly like yours. In order to replace the forks - (I decided to replace both) - you have to 'push' the fork rods out of their bores. I noticed it was much harder to remove the 1-2 fork rod, than the 3-4 rod. I figured the 1-2 rod must be bent, but in fact it ended up that one end of the rod was nearly .005 inch over sized. I chucked it up in my lathe and turned it down. After reassembling the tractor, shifting into 1st gear is now exactly the same as shifting into any of the other gears.

You have certainly taken your tractor much further apart than I had to! I was able to just pull the fork cover off with no other disassembly. Although the forks are cast iron, the syncronizers are apparently much harder, as I could not measure any wear in the syncronizer 'groove'. I dodged a bullet!!

It turned out to be an easy fix to what I had dreaded would be a very time consuming and difficult repair. I forget how much the forks cost, but it was not anywhere near as expensive as I feared (Kioti really has you over a barrel here; no competition) And, although they had to come all the way from Korea, it "only" took a couple of weeks.

Anyway, my main point here is to take heed of how hard it is to move the "fork rod" in its bore. The detent is a spring loaded ball which rides in a groove in the rod. It is designed to relieve the pressure between the fork, and the groove of the syncronizer (sliding gear). If the rod is so stiff in the bore that the detent cannot overcome the friction, then the fork and 'groove' will be wearing against each other the whole time you are in that particular gear.

I don't know your situation is the same as mine, but it does seem very similar.

Good Luck!

 

[Oscarveg08]

So is that like some sort of galling on the surface of the fork?

Yes, the only thing I can figure is the original owner would keep some pressure on the handle for some reason?? That or something binding up keeping pressure on it.

 

[Oscarveg08]

Kioti Paul,
Good find there! That’s some good advice, I hadn’t put much thought into the rod itself.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience!

Unfortunately mine doesn’t have any covers to remove at all. I had to split the transmission in order to slide the fork out. With the amount of work involved to replace the fork, I’ll definitely look further into the culprit. I can tell the original owner had issues with it because he told me he had to replace the roll pin on the lever about 4 times. He kept snapping them which seemed odd to me, so obviously something wasn’t right.
I ordered my parts from michiganironandequip. Hopefully it doesn’t take too long with the pandemic!

 

[k0ua]

Kioti Paul,
Good find there! That’s some good advice, I hadn’t put much thought into the rod itself.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience!

Unfortunately mine doesn’t have any covers to remove at all. I had to split the transmission in order to slide the fork out. With the amount of work involved to replace the fork, I’ll definitely look further into the culprit. I can tell the original owner had issues with it because he told me he had to replace the roll pin on the lever about 4 times. He kept snapping them which seemed odd to me, so obviously something wasn’t right.
I ordered my parts from michiganironandequip. Hopefully it doesn’t take too long with the pandemic!

Please keep us apprised of your repair and what you find. I have not had any problems getting the transmission in gear on mine. Mine has 500 hours.

 

[Kioti Paul]

Kioti Paul,
Good find there! That’s some good advice, I hadn’t put much thought into the rod itself.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience!

Unfortunately mine doesn’t have any covers to remove at all. I had to split the transmission in order to slide the fork out. With the amount of work involved to replace the fork, I’ll definitely look further into the culprit. I can tell the original owner had issues with it because he told me he had to replace the roll pin on the lever about 4 times. He kept snapping them which seemed odd to me, so obviously something wasn’t right.
I ordered my parts from michiganironandequip. Hopefully it doesn’t take too long with the pandemic!

Yes, I would have been in the same boat as you, had my problem been with the range shifter,,, no way to get to the forks without splitting the tractor and disassembly!! I definitely did 'dodge a bullet'! I feel for you!

 

[k0ua]

Kioti Paul,
Good find there! That’s some good advice, I hadn’t put much thought into the rod itself.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience!

Unfortunately mine doesn’t have any covers to remove at all. I had to split the transmission in order to slide the fork out. With the amount of work involved to replace the fork, I’ll definitely look further into the culprit. I can tell the original owner had issues with it because he told me he had to replace the roll pin on the lever about 4 times. He kept snapping them which seemed odd to me, so obviously something wasn’t right.
I ordered my parts from michiganironandequip. Hopefully it doesn’t take too long with the pandemic!

Please keep us apprised of your repair and what you find. I have not had any problems getting the transmission in gear on mine. Mine has 500 hours.

 

[Oldpath05]

I see a lot of gears so I'm assuming this is a standard gear transmission.........

 

[Oscarveg08]

If I do find anything out of the ordinary I値l post it here for sure.
It痴 actually HST, the gears shown are low mid and high range. The single gear with a fork is for the mid pto (mine doesn稚 have a mid pto installed).
On a side note, the left brake case had a crack in it as well (upper left corner in the picture), seems like the brake rod got hung up and broke the case and cam plate. Have the parts on order too.
Just a few more pictures for fun.[/ATTACH]

 

[Oldpath05]

WOW I would bet a million that was a gear tractor, I thought I asked another stupid question. I like repair jobs so good luck I'll stay tuned and thanks for posting pictures.....