GC2300 Rear Differential Locked

[Williford]

I have a 2009 GC2300 I bought new. The rear differential seems to stay locked in now wether I push the pedal bar or not. The bar will lock back out but the differential stays locked in positive traction. I can be driving it and the pedal bar will be springy as if engaging the rear lock but then take my foot off back up pull forward and the pedal with lock back out and the rear will still be locked in. No noises or vibrations. Only if I turn too sharp I will here a click on the inside tire. The front 4wd engages and disengages fine. Tractor still runs and drives fine. Any ideas on getting the rear differential to unlock? Thanks

 

[sailfast]

Get the rear end off the ground in a safe manner some how.

Put it in neutral and individually play with each wheel.

 

[Williford]

I did get the rear end off the ground and roatated the tires by hand. One turned clockwise and the other counter clock wise. I played with each a few minutes then cranked the tractor put it in gear and both spun the same direction. Let it down and drove it and still locked. I tried to remove the other posting and I didn't make any other sharp turns. Thats what helped me determine for sure the rear is locked in.

 

[Kernopelli]

If you look at the diff lock diagram at http://www.agcopartsbooks.com/PartsBooksN/Viewer/book.aspx?book=agco/651794 you can see how your lock is designed and get some ideas on possible problems/ solutions. I would guess you either have a bent or unattached fork or linkage issue between the diff lock shaft and pedal?

 

[milkman]

I did get the rear end off the ground and roatated the tires by hand. One turned clockwise and the other counter clock wise. I played with each a few minutes then cranked the tractor put it in gear and both spun the same direction. Let it down and drove it and still locked. I tried to remove the other posting and I didn't make any other sharp turns. Thats what helped me determine for sure the rear is locked in.

If it was locked, wouldn't the tires both turn the same direction while it's off the ground?

 

[Williford]

I would've thought the tires would turn the same direction as well if unlocked but on the ground it's tearing up the grass on the inside tire as I turn and doesn't turn as sharp as it did because with the tires locked it's trying to push the whole tractor in the forward directions verses turning. The shops keep telling me to bring it in they will have to completely tear it down at the tune of $1300.00 just in labor not counting parts. It just seems like it's probably something simple to me.

 

[Williford]

Darryl, The link you posted says page cant be opened when I try it. I copied and pasted as well with no luck.

 

[Williford]

I've checked the linkage between the pedal and the shaft on the side of the axle housing as well as sprayed with PB Blaster. The shaft is turning when the pedal is depressed so the roll pin isn't sheared.

 

[Kernopelli]

Try this http://www.agcopartsbooks.com/PartsBooksN/Viewer/ and enter model and make or google agco parts and enter the partsbook page as guest

 

[radioman]

IF your diff is locked the whole time, both tires will turn only in one direction. If it unlocked - spinning one will either spin other tire the other way or not at all. I dont think you have a problem and trying to chase a ghost . (no offense)

 

[sailfast]

I agree, I'm confused.

 

[KYErik]

Try to turn a tight circle on grass, you will find out quickly if it is really locked (it will not want to turn- the front wheels will slide across the ground and/or the grass will get all torn up as one rear wheel slips).

Try a tight turn in really low gear. Assuming that you have independent rear brake pedals, pressing the single foot brake pedal for the inside tire really hard while turning will force that wheel to slow down/stop if it is unlocked or it will try to stall the tractor if the rear end is locked.

 

[Williford]

I've done the tight turns on grass and yes the inside tire tears the grass up thats what got me to noticing there may be an issue. There is just a single lever to depress to engage the rear differential. Also the first time I did the tight turn on asphalt while cutting grass I heard the click on the inside tire. Also while just driving it I can just lightly press the lever with my foot and it's springy which is how it indicates the differential is locked in. Then after a few min of driving with my foot off the lever will lock back out so I make a hard turn and still plowing up grass on inside tire and positive traction. For the sake of it I chained it to a tree in forward and reverse and both back tires spin without lever depressed or with it depressed. Before only one tire would spin until the lever was depressed to lock them in using my loader. Trust me at the repair cost their talking I hope its a ghost im chasing. I can also hear the wineing noise the 4wd makes when I have the front tires locked in all the time now even when no 4wd is engaged. Thanks for all the suggestions thus far I'm still open for any more if anybody has some.

 

[Williford]

I did find the parts diagram break down at AGCO parts book .com thanks for that info too.

 

[dex3361]

If its unlocked with the wheels lifted off the ground and you manually spin one wheel the other will spin the oposite direction then press the lock lever and they should both turn the same direction.

 

[sailfast]

Agreed. But for some reason his doesn't seem to be working that way.

 

[David Devuono]

I could not open the links so shooting from the hip here. You mentioned a few things, Wheel off the ground, tires rotate opposite, Diff is not locked. Tires on the ground, drivetrain loaded, Diff is locked. You heard a click. I hope I am wrong but you may have something broke in the differential not allowing the spider gears to rotate freely under load. If theres anyway possible to get a telescoping magnet down into the housing and look for metal particles, you may be doing more damage by driving it?

 

[Williford]

This weekend I'm gonna drain some of the differential fluid this week some time, strained into a white cloth and check for metal particals.

 

[KYErik]

I saw an electronic inspection camera (boroscope) in the automotive section of my local walmart supercenter for about $80. It has a 3 foot long snakelike "head" that has a diameter of about 3/8". If your diff oil fill plug is roughly in line with the diff gears/locking mechanism and not much else is in the way, it would be the easiest way to see exactly what is going on (much easier than tearing it apart).

 

[Williford]

Ok, I lifted the rear end off the ground and by hand held the left tire and spun the right tire about two revolutions and both tires started spinning together as if they were locked. After a few times of spinning and holding it by hand there was a click in the right hand side then both tires spun freely both directions. I put the tractor down drove it and it seemed to lock and unlock by itself. I proceeded to cut grass and turn carefully and not sharp. The differential seemed to disengage and stay unlocked. It's still currently unlocked. I have not tried to reengage the differential either. Better left well enough alone for the rest of the summer and try it again in the fall when I'm not in need of it to cut grass. Will update if something changes. Thanks for all the help and information.