new member with tc 40 question

[blackhardt]

Hello folks. I'm Karl and new here. From looking around it seems there are quite a few knowledgable people on this site.
I have a 2005 New Holland tc 40 4x4. I bought this tractor about 3 months ago and it's great except for a problem that has cropped up. I use this tractor to maintain a 2 mile long dirt road with a blade. I noticed the other day that either in mid or high range in 3rd or 4th gear it makes a screeching sound right in front of the seat underneath the tractor. It doesn't start until it gets rolling good and doesn't stop until I stop the tractor. I checked all the fluids and everything is within operating range. It doesn't matter if it is 2wd or 4wd. It is a high pitched sound. I've looked underneath and don't see anything loose. Not sure if it could be the front driveshaft since it seems to be in a tube. Anyone have any ideas on what this could be? Thanks for any info. Karl

 

[jinman]

Karl, there's a grease zerk at the front of that driveline guard tube where it enters the front differential. Grease that up good with plenty of grease and see if your noise goes away.

A couple of questions about your noise. Does it stop or change when you apply pressure to the clutch? Sometimes the clutch throw-out bearing can squeal if it's on it's last leg. Normally, that noise is independent of tractor gear or movement. If your clutch has free-play of 3/4" before it engages, then the throw-out bearing may not be the source of the noise. Also, if you engage the PTO, does the noise change? The PTO is driven by a concentric shaft inside your main transmission pilot shaft. That also should not change with the gears.

 

[blackhardt]

Jim, thanks for the reply. To answer your question, no I don't think it's the clutch. The noise remains after disengaging the clutch but rhe tractor is still in motion. PTO I didn't try. It does make the noise without the PTO engaged. The guard tube does make sense. It sounds like the noise is external of the transmission housing but to the rear of the tube. I'll try greasing that fitting and see if that helps. Thanks again.