e-Hydro Shifting

[rationalizer]

Hey folks,

I have a new (21 hours) 4wd 4710 w/e-hydro tranny and sometimes it is a reluctant to shift between the three speed ranges. This is with the tractor "stationary" with no load on the throttle. It is most obvious when "cold" (20-30 deg. F) and before the tractor has warmed up. I don't remember noticing it when it was warmer (50-60 deg. F). I haven't spoken to my dealer about it - just haven't been by recently and its not time for the service. Has anyone else had similar issues? Any "tricks" to get around this besides waiting for the hyraulic fluid to warm up? Besides this issue the tractor is working great.

Thanks!

Bill

 

[dewald]

My 4310 does the same thing.I just tap the foreward or reverse pedal while putting slight pressure on the shift lever.It always seems to go into the next range easily when I do this.

 

[beenthere]

I am wondering if the condition is just two gears having to mesh, and sometimes they are just not quite in position. Until one or the other moves a slight bit (i.e. lightly tapping the forward or reverse pedal), they just sit there (kinda like meeting someone in the hallway and one or the other has to step to the side in order to get by). Maybe some of the engineers on TBN will have an explanation. With my Deere 4300, I don't experience the situation anymore, as I now am used to just the right timing of the shift before the wheels come to a complete stop or by tapping the hydro pedals. Not very often do I shift into anything other than medium (B) speed. Low (A) if I am doing loader grunt work, or High (C) if I head for the highway.

 

[JoeReal]

My 110 with 80 hours does the same thing. I do what dewald does. That seems to take care of the problem if it is indeed a problem or normal. It can be annoying and I wonder if all the e hydros are all like this.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

My JD4700 acts the same way. I think the fluid pressure in the tranny needs relief by the touch on one of the foot pedals. Also helps to throttle down.
A similar circumstance is shifting from 2wd to 4wd -- the T-handle doesn't shift freely until the load is backed off.
jim

 

[IRTEXN]

Same here, a slight touch on either pedal and it engages right away. Must be a deere thang

 

[whoodle]

When warm, the gear selector works pretty smooth on my 110, but the mfwd selector I have not yet figured out. But I have only had 5 hours of pleasure so far! This snow should give me an excuse.

 

[JATO_RaT]

I think that this is a common situation (not problem) with all tractors. When the range gears are aligned dead on, you need to move the gears via the hydro pedal on a hydrostatic drive or clutch it with a gear drive. When they are offset but not completely to allow the gears to slide through and engage, they typically will move themselves enough to allow for this. When the fluid is cold, they are more reluctant to do so without motivation so a little movement via the hydro pedal or release of the clutch will help things along. It's definitely not exclusive to JD as both my Kubota, my International and a NH 2120 I use routinely do this. Some are harder then others. My International slips in the easiest and my thoughts are its also got the most tiime on it so the slop is working for me. Rat

 

[rationalizer]

Thanks folks - I just wanted to make sure that there wasn't something wrong with my rig. I've been trying different combinations of the items mentioned above and I'm having much less difficulty now. It sounds like it is a relatively common issue and I'll just have to find the right combination of "tricks"

Thanks!

 

[ChrisNJ]

I've had the same issues with a 4310, and found that while on level ground she shifted fine, but just the slightest hill would make the shifting hard. this makes sense as the hydro also acts as a brake and when deceling on a hill, and once stopped is still trying to hold the tractor, hence trouble shifting ranges as there is tension still there. I just shift on level ground now or as said earlier, try tapping a pedal.

 

[rancar]

I concur with ChrisNJ. I've found I had a hard time shifting when my JD4710 wasn't on level ground. Even a slight slope in terrain conditions would cause shifting difficulty. I have to look for completely level terrain when I shift or I shift before I pull the 4710 out of the garage if I know what chores I'll be doing that require me to use A, B, or C ranges.

Temperature fluctuations don't seem to make any difference in my situation. This shifting problem happens in 80 degree as well as 10 degree temperatures.

I should also add that the dealer informed me about this peculiarity when I took delivery of the 4710 in May, 2002....said it was nothing to worry about...it was just the way these tractors are made.....and the solution is to shift when the tractor is in stationary mode on level terrain. He was good on his word.....I've noticed this hard shifting tendency....and I've followed the dealer's advice....and have not experienced any serious operational problems other than this momentary delay when looking for level ground to shift. All in all, I don't consider this to be a serious problem. The 4710 performs well above my expectations and I'm completey satisfied with its overall operation and performance. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[jmattox1]

My 4210 is same way, at a stop, just tap forward or reverse and it will drop right in place.

Gears do have to mesh. Same principal as older 4WD vehicles coming out of a turn in 4wd then wanting to put in 2 wd. Straighten out roll a little forward and it will drop right in.

 

[JEP]

I've used the brakes sometimes to help switch ranges. You can use the forward and reverse pedals to get it moving and lock the wheels up to get the range gears to line up. The brakes also let you change ranges on step hills.

 

[JC4HD]

I concur with Rancar and would add... when on a slight incline either take the load off of the drive line using the brakes or as mentioned in a previous response just tap the Forward or Reverse pedal while appling a slight pressure to the lever... Works great!

 

[rancar]

Hi Jim....it's been awhile since I've seen you in the forums. How are things in the north country? How's the 4310?

Bob