Gears Grinding Badly

[VTSasquatch]

Even with the clutch pedal depressed my gears started grinding badly when shifting. I can force it into gear but it makes a terrible grinding sound.

I am not particularly mechanically inclined. The tractor will stop moving when the clutch is depressed so the pedal does something but the grinding is as bad as if I tried to shift without depressing the clutch pedal.

This is an early 80s Massey Furgeson 220-4. Any ideas of what is wrong? Is my clutch shot? Thanks

 

[RoyJackson]

Sure sounds like it...

 

[rjkobbeman]

Usually a "worn out clutch" causes slippage. Yours seems to not disengage all the way.

Is there any adjustment to the linkage and/or cable? Is it a hydraulically actuated? If so, check master/slave cylinder. Could have air in the lines needing a bleed.

Just tossing ideas out there. I don't know how your clutch/pedal works exactly.

I guess if something has come apart there could be debris causing the clutch to grab... but I would think you would hear something amiss.

 

[Soundguy]

try this.. press clutch, roll to a stop, idle down, wait for a few seconds, then try to shift.. post back results.

soundguy

 

[VTSasquatch]

I'll give it a try. Thanks

 

[art]

Many tractors were built with straight cut gears which means they don't shift well till the transmission stops.
This often requires a longer wait to shift without taking a pound or two!

 

[Patches]

That old a tractor may have a leaky rear seal, causing oil contamination of the clutch plate, which will cause the plate to adhere to either the flywheel or the pressure plate causing the grinding

 

[VTSasquatch]

If it is a bad seal how much money do you think it is going to cost to have it fixed?

I just bought it last month and I am short on cash. Hopefully this will not be an expensive repair. Are you talking about engine oil or hydrolic oil? Thanks for the help.

 

[RoyJackson]

If it is a bad seal how much money do you think it is going to cost to have it fixed?

I just bought it last month and I am short on cash. Hopefully this will not be an expensive repair. Are you talking about engine oil or hydrolic oil? Thanks for the help.

Try what Soundguy suggests before you fret too much...let's see if the problem can be determined before we spend your money.

While you're out there on the tractor, see if it's easier to shift into a higher gear (top gear would be good).

 

[puckgrinder85]

If youre in a higher gear you should be able to hit the next gear relatively easily. If you still have this issue after stopping all the way maybe you have a broken pressure plate.

 

[VTSasquatch]

Thanks guys. I have the tractor at a property about 1 1/2 hours from home so I won't be able to try anything until Saturday. I'll let you know what happens.

 

[Soundguy]

IF it is a leak.. could be rear main or tranny input shaft.

both will make the clutch sticky and slow to release.

that's why I want you to do the lil clutch, stop test and post back what you observe.

soundguy

 

[Patches]

Many tractors have an inspection panel/cover you can remove for clutch inspection; not familiar with your unit, but look around the clutch area for a removable panel

 

[VTSasquatch]

I tried as suggested but it was still grinding. I also looked at the pedal adjustment and it was adjusted to the maximum. I may be in bad shape.

 

[jimmer2880]

I had a mid-80's era MF that was in the low 20's HP.

That tractor had a little hook, to hold the clutch open when parked for the night. If we didn't hold the clutch open every single time we parked the tractor, the clutch plates would start sticking to the flywheel, which would cause the gears to grind when shifting.

We had the flywheel re-surfaced 3 times before we finally got religious about using the hook. I suspect this is what your problem is.

 

[Soundguy]

my 850 will grab if I forget to block the clutch.. in my case.. it's a leaky seal.

cheaper to block the clutch than to fix..

soundguy

 

[VTSasquatch]

Hey Soundguy, how do you block the clutch?

 

[Soundguy]

I have a small metal clip I hold the pedal down with.. possibilities are endless.. concrete block on the running board.. piece of wood.. etc.. etc..

soundguy

 

[VTSasquatch]

Okay, I understand. I'll have to give it a try since I am pretty sure mine does not have a hook. I may try a bungee cord.

 

[RoyJackson]

Okay, I understand. I'll have to give it a try since I am pretty sure mine does not have a hook. I may try a bungee cord.

Look for a small metal tab as well...that's what the Deere 790 (others too, I guess) uses. I used an old pair of vice-grips, but a small clamp of any sort would work.

If your tractor doesn't have a hook or tab, it might be worth rigging one rather then bungee cord.