HST shifting issue

[dennis leary]

I am experiencing some trouble shifting on my new l4760 - sometimes it wont shift out of neutral into low, med, or high. I wiggle the foot throttle bit (which the manual says to do), but results aren't consistent. I don't want to force it. Is this a function of the newness of the tractor, or has anyone experienced the same thing, and knows what to do? Thanks very much.

 

[k0ua]

I am experiencing some trouble shifting on my new l4760 - sometimes it wont shift out of neutral into low, med, or high. I wiggle the foot throttle bit (which the manual says to do), but results aren't consistent. I don't want to force it. Is this a function of the newness of the tractor, or has anyone experienced the same thing, and knows what to do? Thanks very much.

When changing ranges on hydro tractors, you sometimes must let the tractor "drift" a tiny amount. Take you foot off of the brake a little to let the tractor roll if possible a tiny amount as you gently try to mesh the gears going into the intended range. Sometimes a gentle movement either forward or reverse on the hydro pedal/pedals will make them mesh. If you are on flat ground and the tractor absolutely will not roll on its own, and all else fails you can dump your bucket down and then lower your FEL arms down to raise the front of the tractor off of the ground to make the back tires rotate a bit (keep foot off of brake). Don't use excessive force, it is more of a finesse thing. As the gears wear some it gets "slicker" and less troublesome.

 

[k0ua]

Oh, I almost forgot, be very careful shifting ranges on hills. Keep foot on brake this time. Because if you shift out of a range into Neutral, your tractor can take off downhill like a "scalded dog". That's hillbilly talk for "real fast". :laughing: You may not like the results at the bottom of the hill.

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

My l4600 was real hard to shift when I first got it, seems to be getting better with more use learn the feel of it also helps when working pedal.

 

[jrepp44]

The easiest way I have found to shift ranges is to make sure there is no load on the gear train, by that I mean you
need to be on level ground with no tendency for the tractor to want to roll forward or backwards.

 

[Grandad4]

The range selectors in tractor drivetrains are built for strength first and easy shifting second. As noted, particularly when new they can be pretty tight. In addition to the other comments, I've found the following to be helpful: have wheels straight when in 4wd; make sure HST pedal is exactly in neutral; try to shift when on level ground; sometimes it helps to move the tractor forward or backward slightly to relieve any binding in the drivetrain; shift only at a full dead stop. The more you use the range selector, the more it will free up and an occasional shot of spray lube on the linkages under the deck will help. Should get easier with break-in, but it'll never shift like a sports car.

 

[bigbull338]

ok i can solve this problem very easy.i had this same problem on my 2010 mx5100hst when i bought it new.the shifter fork isnt catching and moving the roller ball to the differant ranges.because the roller ball is sticking.even bumping the hst pedle farward and backwards wont always get it to go into gear.get the machanic out there or take it in.it took the machanic 3hrs to fix it here on the farm.

 

[s219]

The range selectors in tractor drivetrains are built for strength first and easy shifting second. As noted, particularly when new they can be pretty tight. In addition to the other comments, I've found the following to be helpful: have wheels straight when in 4wd; make sure HST pedal is exactly in neutral; try to shift when on level ground; sometimes it helps to move the tractor forward or backward slightly to relieve any binding in the drivetrain; shift only at a full dead stop. The more you use the range selector, the more it will free up and an occasional shot of spray lube on the linkages under the deck will help. Should get easier with break-in, but it'll never shift like a sports car.

Agree completely. Neither of my two Kubotas have shifted range like butter, but they always shift with a little finessing as Grandad mentioned.

 

[Fallon]

My L3200 is a little fiddly as well. It often (a third of the time maybe) needs a minor blip of the go pedal or to let off the brake so it rolls an inch. Nasty grinding of gears if you are moving over an inch a second or so.

Nothing I'd consider problematic for an unsynchronized transmission though. You don't need to shift a HST that often, so they optimized for cost & strength over shift quality.

 

[sandyc]

My 2620 has a bit of a problem when shifting from one range to another. I agree with all of the above in that "blipping" the go pedal or moving the tractor slightly in one direction or the other and then changing range will work every time. Also I have found that the problem is reduced after the macine is at operating temp.