Traction GC1720 4WD Selector Lever Feel

[Nacademus]

Hi,

Recently, I've been getting around to using my tractor more and more and have had a few questions and experience I wished to share so I've been rather active, today.

My tractor is still fairly new with just over 50 hours on it.

Sometimes it feels like the 4WD selector lever binds a little. I have somewhat yank on it a hair harder than I think I should to get it to actuate. Sometimes its like butter and I feel almost nothing-but more often than not, I need to pull with a bit of force.

I've seen the Messick's video on what the inside of their small Kubota transmission looks like and how it functions. I can't imagine that the Iseki transmission is all that different functionally.

Do you all find yourselves having to yank the selector rather hard to engage or disengage the 4WD? I know there is probably some gear meshing that has to happen which could explain the occasional sensation. But it seems like someday SOMETHING is going to break off or wear out if this is actually how its supposed to be.

Anybody have any thoughts? GC owners, is your 4WD selector operation rough or buttery smooth? I can't find much in the literature that I have to certify that what I feel is normal.

4WD never NOT works. It's just stiffer than I think it should be and its not all the time. Almost like it needs greased or something.

 

[CobyRupert]

No need to yank hard.
It goes like butter when there is no torque being transferred to front wheels. When you're at the moment when the front axle is neither pulling nor getting pushed, neither accelerating nor decelerating, it won't bind.
On my gear transmission tractor, with front wheels traveling straight, I give the throttle a quick bump/pulse, then quickly release, to create that moment when there's no tension. With practice you can feel "that moment" of zero g's in the seat of your pants. At that moment the selector lever should go in/out "like butter".
Others use their FEL to lift the front tires off the ground, or come to a stop and rock the tractor either forwards or back to release that tension.

 

[ray66v]

Yes, it's normal.

The gears have to up perfectly. And, that doesn't always happen.

Sometimes, you just need to move the tractor a little, and try again.

Don't use force, it won't help.

 

[Imold]

I have had to back up once or twice to release pressure on the front wheels think both times I was on a slight incline but other then that my lever is smooth, if I know I知 going to need fwd I will engage it before I move the tractor and take it out when I am done and I run in turtle, if I go into rabbit I will disengage fwd then proceed on.
My biggest issue is disengaging the pto, sometimes you think I was driving a 42 truck and can not find 2nd gear, yep I have ground the gears a couple times but think I have it under control now.

It is all a learning curve/experience.


Jim.

 

[WranglerX]

ON flat ground, bring down to idle, put HST in neutral and foot off brake.... Butter in/butter out...

Dale

 

[GeneV]

I just tap forward/reverse slightly while gentle pulling on the 4wd lever when that happens.

 

[jeepcj7]

Disengaging the 4wd on gravel or in the grass is easier than disengaging it on a hard surface such as concrete. By design the front axle goes just a little bit faster than the rear axle when the 4wd is engaged which tends to load up the drive train slightly. On gravel or grass the wheels tend to slip a little in 4wd relieve the load and making it easier to dis-engage.