Traction How do I engage 4WD on TC30

[Edgeofthegrid]

Hey all, new member but I've looked on the forum before. Just bought a used TC30 FEL, seller had left it in 4WD and said he would bring the operator manual up soon. Long story short I sheared the pin/bolt on the FWD shaft at the rear U-joint trying to mess with a heavy wet snow bank. the rear U-joint slipped off the shaft, and I heard some banging (the shaft was still turning and knocking the undercarriage). OK re-inserted the u-joint and replaced the shear pin/bolt and that part is good. But was using it this AM and noticed the rear wheels slipping and it seems like the front wheels are not providing traction at all. OK I'm thinking it somehow got out of 4WD, but I don't know enough how to re-engage! There's a lever on the floor board near center/left that moves front/back (see pic) There's a diagram on the floor board next to the lever but is not clear. I'm thinking I either broke something in the transfer case as well or it's just in 2WD and I don't know how to reengage 4WD. I called seller but no joy. Any info helpful thanks!

 

[fried1765]

Hey all, new member but I've looked on the forum before. Just bought a used TC30 FEL, seller had left it in 4WD and said he would bring the operator manual up soon. Long story short I sheared the pin/bolt on the FWD shaft at the rear U-joint trying to mess with a heavy wet snow bank. the rear U-joint slipped off the shaft, and I heard some banging (the shaft was still turning and knocking the undercarriage). OK re-inserted the u-joint and replaced the shear pin/bolt and that part is good. But was using it this AM and noticed the rear wheels slipping and it seems like the front wheels are not providing traction at all. OK I'm thinking it somehow got out of 4WD, but I don't know enough how to re-engage! There's a lever on the floor board near center/left that moves front/back (see pic) There's a diagram on the floor board next to the lever but is not clear. I'm thinking I either broke something in the transfer case as well or it's just in 2WD and I don't know how to reengage 4WD. I called seller but no joy. Any info helpful thanks!

That is the lever.
From your description, and the picture, it looks like forward is 4WD, and aft is 2WD.
I have the older brother 1920, but mine is up and down.

 

[Edgeofthegrid]

Thanks fried1765, been out trying the levers, locking the differential, rears still slipping. gonna wait til I reach the seller.

 

[/pine]

The way I read it...the lever goes toward the bottom of the picture for 4 wheel engaged...the lever goes towards the top of the picture for 2 wheel...

 

[Edgeofthegrid]

Thanks /pine, that's the way I read it too. Hard to tell what's front/back of tractor from pic. I am going to re-check the shaft to see if the shear pin/bolts on the front u-joint got sheared too and managed to stay on. Better get some more mechanic gloves....

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

Thanks /pine, that's the way I read it too. Hard to tell what's front/back of tractor from pic. I am going to re-check the shaft to see if the shear pin/bolts on the front u-joint got sheared too and managed to stay on. Better get some more mechanic gloves....

I have a Ford 1715 which to my understanding is the direct predecessor to the TC30, the biggest difference is one is Ford/NH blue and the other is NH blue. On mine the 4 wheel drive is engaged with the lever to the rear, sort of the default position because the lever is tucked out of the way, and disengaged with the lever to the front.

 

[Edgeofthegrid]

Thanks FrankRetired, is it easy to move the lever back/forth? mine is moving quite easy, maybe too easy. lifted the front and spun the tires, shaft moves easy fwd/rev whether the lever is engaged or not. any thots?

 

[Turbys_1700]

On my 1720 to engage the FWA I loaded the transmission while engaging. It will shift into the FWA easier. The shift lever did not shift easily. Put the tractor in gear and while engaging the clutch pull the lever.

 

[Edgeofthegrid]

On my 1720 to engage the FWA I loaded the transmission while engaging. It will shift into the FWA easier. The shift lever did not shift easily. Put the tractor in gear and while engaging the clutch pull the lever.

Thanks, my lever is moving too easily, perhaps I broke the internal linkage?

 

[Turbys_1700]

Perhaps. It could be an external linkage. It should not be easy to shift. It is a mechanical linkage.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

It is pretty easy to move the lever as long as there is no load on the gears. The cuff of my jeans used to sort of snag on the lever (the knob was missing) and slide it out of 4wd by accident. If there was any resistance putting it back in, letting the tractor roll a little took care of that. Otherwise, it would slide in and out of 4wd with little effort. There doesn't seem of be any kind of detent that gives a tactile feel to it, it is either all the way back or all the way forward. If it is in 4wd the axles should be locked together and if the front wheels would turn at all it would be in opposite directions through the differential
Check to be sure the lever is actually moving the shaft. On mine the lever his held on to the shaft by a roll pin, if the pin is missing there would be almost no resistance to movement. If the shaft is moving with the lever, you may have some internal problems.

 

[Edgeofthegrid]

thanks, I'll try that. Also thinking of lifting front and back and seeing if the front wheels turn in gear (with the lever in FWD of course).

 

[jcl22]

What did you find out was your problem??

I’ve had a Tc45d for 5 years always hard to go into 4wd unless as stated before letting the tractor roll in neutral. Then would go in.

Tonight going out into woods no 4wd in the mud. lever moves very easy back and forth
With wheels on the ground. Remove drive shaft covers on end of tube and can turn shaft 3/4 of a turn then stops in 2wd

no movement In 4wd. Like it should.