L3700 Hydro won't shift between ranges

[Recoveryhill]

Hi there,

I have a 9 year old L3700 that I use primarily in middle range. For the past year or so when I wanted Low or High, I have been unable to actuate the shift arm. I tried PB Blaster penetrant where the lever goes into the transmission and every other means of trying to coax it to shift, backing, etc. Ever since new it was a bear to shift but now, I'm stuck in the middle range.

Anyone else have this problem and how did you solve it?

 

[mljenkins]

My new (Dec 2017) l6060hstc is a pain to move between the ranges. It helps if there is just a tiny bit of motion on the wheels when shifting. I’ve gotten so good with just that small bit of motion before I shift it’s not so annoying now.

Maybe disengage 4wd and then try to shift it on a slight decline where you can have a very tiny bit of motion. Just be careful it’s not a large incline because if it goes into neutral and then won’t go into a gear you’ll be in a bad spot.

Good luck that will be difficult if it hasn’t been shifted from midrange for a very long time.

 

[Recoveryhill]

ML:

Thanks for your comment. Due to terrain down here I'm in 4wd most always. Trying on a slight decline is helpful, out of 4wd, probably I haven't tried. I can operate most of my tasks in middle range but not having upper or lower isn't great.

BTW: I replaced the PTO wire when it was necessary to replace the outboard rear axle seal (don't ask). The function: PTO in/PTO out remains a random event even after new wire installed and transmission entry doused with PB Blaster penetrant? I know there's a spring involved but springs do what springs do?

If I could say anything bad about my Kubota with 9 years of hard and effective duty, it would be the PTO & Xmission shift.

 

[Fallon]

My new (Dec 2017) l6060hstc is a pain to move between the ranges. It helps if there is just a tiny bit of motion on the wheels when shifting. I’ve gotten so good with just that small bit of motion before I shift it’s not so annoying now.

Maybe disengage 4wd and then try to shift it on a slight decline where you can have a very tiny bit of motion. Just be careful it’s not a large incline because if it goes into neutral and then won’t go into a gear you’ll be in a bad spot.

Good luck that will be difficult if it hasn’t been shifted from midrange for a very long time.

Same for my new L4060hstc & old L3200hst. Let it roll just a hair and/or shift while rolling at a few inches per second. Bumping the go pedal while in neutral usually works.

I never found being in or out of 4wd having any effect. Any bind in the 4wd system occurs after the transmission not before. 4wd can be a little hard to get in or out as well. Shifting that on the roll while driving straight helps there as well.

If you've had the machine for a while I'm assuming you know the standard shifting difficulty. If that changed there might be something wrong. I'd check linkages first as those are external. I'd guess if it's not external linkages your likely to need to spit the tractor.

 

[diesel85]

Those gears aren't synchronized. You need to line them up. I recommend slightly rolling and using the HST pedal. Even my BX2200 occasionally doesn't want to go into L or H from N. Don't force it.

 

[Recoveryhill]

Thanks all for the comments. In & Out of 4wd never an issue, just range selection and PTO. I'll try rolling slightly and playing with the pedal to see if that helps. I didn't generally have a need for low range as I bush hog in medium and am never on the road for high. Even when precision movement is required, the very excellent hydro control in medium range is fine. The machine is well maintained and it just bugs me not being able to shift.

Frankly, the PTO is a bigger issue and I am hopeful that with the new control wire in place it will improve shifting in and out of power to the PTO.