LB1914 Hard to get in gears/service manual?

fpappal · Feb 24, 2020

Hello,
I have adopted my cousins LB1914. It has shuttle shift, so Forward/neutral/reverse is to the left of the steering wheel, speed shift is between your knees on the floor. In order to get the tractor in Forward I have to force the shift handle up with quite a bit of force. Even then it may not go into Forward and I have to slam it between neutral and forward until it goes into gear. I love this little tractor, I am amazed by how much work it does. Any idea what may be going on? I am assuming I will need to split the tractor in order to fix it.

Does anyone have a pdf file of the service manual for this tractor? I have only found one original copy on Ebay for $300.

Thanks.

oosik · Feb 24, 2020

If the tractor has less than 150 to 200 hours then it will get better with use. Try shifting with the tractor moving slowly - 1 to 2 mph.

rademamj1 · Feb 24, 2020

Wow...$300 for any manual is incredible price.

Ebay has the LB1914 operators manual in PDF format at this link for $8.50:
KIOTI LB1914 FLAT RATE TRACTOR MANUAL | eBay

Amazon has the LB1914 Service manual for $47.00 at this link.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HMY7TO/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_WiivEbZBY50XD

I also found additional PDF copies available at document providers, but these require a monthly membership.

DK35vince · Feb 24, 2020

Claims this a reproduction of the factory service manual on Ebay.
No idea how good it is.Misc. Tractors Kioti LB1914 (4WD) Service Manual | eBay

DK35vince · Feb 24, 2020

Check the easy things first.
Check for binding or wear in the shuttle lever linkage.
Lube all the shuttle linkage joints and shafts to see if it frees up.

fpappal · Feb 25, 2020

Thanks for the replies. I was hesitant to purchase the service manual I found online because the picture on the front is not the LB1914. Maybe they just used a generic picture.

I have used this tractor for two summers now and the problem has not gotten better or worse. When my cousin picked up this tractor about 5 years ago he knew about the shifting problem. The linkage does not appear to be binding at all, I think it is something internal. Actually the best way to get it into gear when it doesn't want to is to shift into reverse and then quickly into forward. That usually works. The issue I am having is not switching between 1,2,or 3, I can do that easily. It is when I am in neutral, put my foot on the clutch and then move the lever into Forward. I can go from neutral to reverse with no issues, just going into forward is the problem.

jabelding · Feb 25, 2020

Does it feel like it is the clutch causing the issue? Try putting the high Low lever in neutral does it shift any easier? Does it try and move when you get in gear but haven't let the clutch out yet? How does it shift with engine off is it easier or the same?

fpappal · Feb 26, 2020

I don't think it is the clutch. My thinking is that if it was clutch related it would not go into reverse so easy. It is only a problem with forward. When my foot is on the clutch it does not try to move. I have never tried to shift with engine off, I will give that a try. I need to get a service manual so I can see exactly what is going on inside the tractor. When I move the lever to forward I have no idea what is actually engaging inside the tractor.

Kioti Paul · Feb 26, 2020

I had a very similar problem with my DK45s.

My problem being that it was very hard to shift into 1st gear (from brand new). All other gears shifted easily. A long story, but I lived with it for 6-7 years until I was forced to confront the problem. Ultimately what I discovered was that the "Fork Rod" (the rod that the 1-2 shift fork is attached to) was ground unevenly. The end of the rod that slides into the bore as you shift into 1st gear was .005" larger in diameter than the other end of the rod. I machined the over sized end down to match the rest of the rod, and now shifting into 1st is as easy as all the other gears.

I know you are dealing with the shuttle shifter, but when I look at my parts manual, my shuttle shifter "Fork Rod" is very similar to the "Main Shifter" (and "Hi/Low Shifter") rods. I also realize that there are probably considerable differences between our tractor models...(I have no knowledge of the LB1914 at all) but they do seem to be close to the same year models, and it just sounds like you are experiencing very similar symptoms to mine.

At least, before you get desperate enough to consider splitting the tractor, maybe remove the "Fork Rod" and make sure it is the same diameter on both ends. Actually, if you remove the "Shuttle Shifter Cover", the rod and fork will come with it, and (if the rod is uneven, or possibly bent) it will still be much harder to move the fork into the forward position (compared to moving into the reverse position) even though it is no longer engaged in the synchronizer (or sliding gear). You should also be able to reach the synchronizer (gear), and see whether (or not) it slides back and forth easily.

Incidentally, if you actually do find this to be the problem, be aware that this can also cause severe wear of the Shifter Fork, so inspect the ends that engage the synchronizer carefully.

Finally, when I bought my tractor & ordered the Parts and Service Manuals, my dealer discouraged me in buying the service manual, and encouraged me to buy the parts manual...saying the service manual is very poorly written, and the parts manual is much better at "showing" how things 'go together'. While I have no regrets in buying the service manual, I have grown to agree with my dealer that the parts manual is much more valuable.

Good Luck!

fpappal · Feb 27, 2020

Thanks for that detailed description. I went to the NYS Farmshow in Syracuse NY this morning. Kioti has a huge display there. I spent a lot of time talking with the sales reps as well as some of the mechanics. They are almost positive the problem is with the syncronizers. I am not entirely sure how it works, but you do need to split the tractor to fix it. They are going to call me tomorrow and give me a quote to have the dealer fix it. Depending on the price I may just let them fix it. I will update this post when they give me a price.