John Deere 301A Reverser issue

[gbward3]

I'm new to the forum and have a tractor issue that has stumped me.

Last week I was using my tractor and noticed that it would go forward but would loose forward motion under load while climbing hills, pushing dirt etc. It had full power in reverse. I got an oil gauge and checked the reverser pressure. With tractor in park, I had 150 lbs in neutral, 150 lbs in reverse, 25 lbs in forward. So I figured I had a bad seal in the forward clutch pack of the reverser. I broke the tractor in two, pulled the forward clutch pack, put in new seals, and rings, put it back together and now...

I have 150lb in neutral, 150lbs in forward... when I shift the reverser to reverse the engine loads down and stops. Mind you the tractor is in PARK. If I put the tractor in a forward gear instead of park and move the reverser lever I get the following: shift to forward I go forward, shift to neutral I for FORWARD, shift to REVERSE I go FORWARD.

So I thought maybe I did something wrong with the clutch pack and it was frozen up, so I broke the tractor apart again. Leaving the forward clutch pack in place I can still turn it by hand with the tractor in PARK, put the tractor in gear and I can still turn it with a little more resistance, so I am assuming the clutch pack is not frozen up like I was afraid of. If I engage the PTO and turn the clutch pack the PTO will turn.

I have the Tech Manual and it shows a Reverser Brake Assembly that I am assuming is in the housing between the forward clutch pack and the transmission, could it be that part?? Any help would be appreciated, I am lost. The reverser is over my head, I'm used to tractors that you just shift forward and reverse. Thanks

 

[Tx Jim]

Did you disassemble reverser control valve?

 

[gbward3]

Did you disassemble reverser control valve?

No, I did not disassemble the control valve. I'm at a loss as to what part would cause these symptoms. Thank you for your reply.

 

[Tx Jim]

It sounds as if the seal between reverse & forward clutches or control valve is bad

 

[gbward3]

It sounds as if the seal between reverse & forward clutches or control valve is bad

I pulled the control valve off and disassembled it. I didn't find anything obvious other than the input shifter shaft is bent (#5 in the lower parts diagram) but it was shifting it to each detent for forward, neutral and reverse so I don't know if that was a factor. Do you know where I would find the seal between the reverse and forward clutch? Is it in the control valve? The only thing I see is the valve (#14 in hydraulic flow diagram) that shifts oil from forward to reverse. The bent shaft controls #14. In the tech manual I see a "forward clutch pack" and a "Reverse Brake Assembly". I assume the "Reverse Brake Assembly" is the reverse clutch, it looks like one in the diagram. Thank you for your help, I'm having trouble understanding what is causing the problem.

 

[Tx Jim]

Maybe I didn't use the correct terminology when I stated "seal between reverse & forward clutches" but there should be no pressure when control valve is neutral. My knowledge of industrial tractors is very limited as I was employed by an "ag only" JD dealer.

 

[gbward3]

Maybe I didn't use the correct terminology when I stated "seal between reverse & forward clutches" but there should be no pressure when control valve is neutral. My knowledge of industrial tractors is very limited as I was employed by an "ag only" JD dealer.

Your knowledge is definitely greater than mine. I have ordered the gaskets to put the control box back on and repair the bent shaft, I guess I will get that put back together and see how she does, if that doesn't do it I guess I will have to look at the reverse clutch. I was trying to avoid opening that housing if possible. Thank you very much for your help, I will let you know how it goes.

 

[ucsport08]

Your knowledge is definitely greater than mine. I have ordered the gaskets to put the control box back on and repair the bent shaft, I guess I will get that put back together and see how she does, if that doesn't do it I guess I will have to look at the reverse clutch. I was trying to avoid opening that housing if possible. Thank you very much for your help, I will let you know how it goes.

Were you able to remedy your problem? I have an issue with my 301A's reverser and I am not able to go forward or backwards. Hoping that your solution will fix my problem also.

Thank you,

Chris

 

[Tx Jim]

Were you able to remedy your problem? I have an issue with my 301A's reverser and I am not able to go forward or backwards. Hoping that your solution will fix my problem also.

Thank you,

Chris

Does your tractor have a pto? It's possible that your tractors damper clutch is slipping.

 

[ucsport08]

Does your tractor have a pto? It's possible that your tractors damper clutch is slipping.

Yes it has a PTO. The PTO works fine and so does the 3 point hitch and loader arms/bucket. It just will not move forward or backwards. I took apart the Reverser Clutch Control Valve and everything looks okay to me. I'll have to look into the damper clutch.