Mitsubishi MT4201FS

sixty2chevy2 · Nov 22, 2021

Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving week! I recently purchased a pretty worn down Mitsubishi MT4201FD, all the usual leaks I would expect from a 1989 model, but I am experiencing what I believe could be a hydraulic issue, however the unit has a clutch. When moving, the tractor will stop, clutch is still engaged, in gear, but will not move. After waiting a minute or so, and having pushed in the clutch, fiddled with the gear selection, it comes back and it may move properly for 20 mins or 3 mins. There is a 'level' on the left side of the dash that I do not know what does. it moves forward and back or up and down, chrome, with a 2" black handle. This seems to make the most difference when I am fiddling around.

I will start my search for a service manual today, but wanted to ask a few questions. 1. Although the tractor has a clutch, does the hydraulics play a role in the machine moving? 2. I have found two dipsticks, one for the engine oil and one on the left side of the PTO and gear selector shifting knobs, does the transmission and drive train share the same hydraulic fluid? 3. I also assume this tractor is full time 4x4, is this the case on this tractor? 4. There is fluid leaking out of the steering column and the steering wheel is a bit loose, before I damage the steering wheel by trying to take the center cap off, can someone tell me if there is a nut in there like a conventional steering wheel that I can tighten up?

This tractor will be fun to fix up and use, just the thing stopping for no apparent reason is a bit frustrating. It almost appears to happen when I am turning the steering wheel and using the hydraulics for the power steering. I just do not know enough about this tractor yet.

Any guidance on where the best site is to get a repair or assembly manual is also greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Sixty2chevy2

Harry in Ky · Nov 22, 2021

I would guess your problem is more clutch related than hydraulic. I would also guess you have little or no free play on the clutch pedal?

sixty2chevy2 · Nov 22, 2021

That is the really odd thing, the clutch pedal is stiff with good travel and when the tractor moves, no evidence of a slipping clutch, engine bogs down as it should. Since I do not know how this tractor works, at least I do not think it is a simple clutch system, there must be an assisted hydraulic piece somehow. I have had experience with a slipping clutch, this is more discrete than anything. does not slow down, it just stops. The it's like some pressure builds back up and it starts going again. I know it sounds crazy, but that is what it is doing. Thanks for your reply!

sixty2chevy2 · Nov 22, 2021

and on the original post, it should read lever, not level...some people cannot be trusted with a keyboard. sorry.

Harry in Ky · Nov 22, 2021

Not to beat a dead horse here, but what about the free play? Yes/no?

sixty2chevy2 · Nov 22, 2021

no free play.

Harry in Ky · Nov 22, 2021

Well, first impressions, no free play is an excellent reason for a "moves sometimes, sometimes not" or "only moves in lower gears" type scenario. By no means anything new here, regardless of tractor make/model.

Locate your clutch linkage adjustment. It's probably a turnbuckle or maybe just a rod somewhere with a threaded clevis on one end. Find and make that adjustment so you have some pedal free play again, (at least an inch or so) and see what changes.

CausticUrbanCoast · Nov 22, 2021

Can you pull the numbers on your engine and confirm whether it is HST or not?

That model number seems to be grey, which means it is a mixed parts tractor. Likely the chassis and engine originally belonged to different tractors.

Mainly what need to be determined is if you have a HST transmission, single, or two stage clutch. It seems your tractor could be around 40-50hp, so all options are in the table.

If it's a single or dual stage clutch and it's not a linkage issue, then it seems like you may need to inspect your clutch fork and plate. However, that would only be considered after attempting to readjust your clutch linkage first. Having zero freeplay seems like someone may have already messed around with it, there should be a small amount.

sixty2chevy2 · Nov 22, 2021

Thank you. I will look for the engine numbers. So an HST transmission is hydraulic with a clutch? I have a modern JD with a hydrostatic, and of course no clutch or shifting, just forward and reverse.

Roadworthy · Nov 22, 2021

You may have a hydrostatic transmission and still have a clutch - I do. It is important to have a bit of free play before it starts to engage, though. About an inch is usually good. Sometimes the transmission will find itself between gears in kind of a pseudo neutral. If you have a manual to read that's a really good thing. If not you can usually get info from Valley Power