New tractor stops moving forward when going uphill....what's up?

TaterinTexas · Jun 16, 2014

I have a brand new New Holland T4.75. I was using it for the first time yesterday with a 6' rotary mower. Prior to buying this tractor, I used a case CX80. Anyway, I was mowing with no problems for several hours. I was running in low 3. I encountered a strange problem when I came to a little rise in the ground, it's maybe a 2.5 to three foot rise, although it is fairly steep. I had never encountered a problem climbing it before in my Case. But, with the NH, when I got to the rise, the tractor just stopped moving forward. The RPM's didn't change one bit, but it just quit advancing when I got to the rise. I clutched it and let it roll gently backwards, then eased off the clutch, tried to climb it again and the same thing happened.

I clutched it again, let it roll backwards, disengaged the PTO, raised the mower deck, then let off the clutch, and the tractor climbed the hill with no problem.

I am sure I'm not as knowledgeable as many on the forum, but I don't get what might be happening. Anyone have any ideas?

Verticaltrx · Jun 16, 2014

My guess is the clutch is out of adjustment and it was just enough resistance when trying to climb the hill with the mower down to make it slip. If so, assuming it has a standard manual linkage clutch, it should be an easy adjustment.

N80 · Jun 16, 2014

Are you sure you the front of the mower wasn't digging in? You said the rpm's didn't change but it did climb the hill with the mower raised. I'd remove the mower and try to climb it with PTO running. If no go, try it with PTO off.

whis · Jun 16, 2014

call the dealer and get him out to your place and show him. if its brand new let him worry with

TaterinTexas · Jun 16, 2014

N80 said:
Are you sure you the front of the mower wasn't digging in? You said the rpm's didn't change but it did climb the hill with the mower raised. I'd remove the mower and try to climb it with PTO running. If no go, try it with PTO off.

That was my first thought too. But I looked at it the second time I tried it and it didn't appear to be the problem. Still, it was nearly dark, so I am going to go out this afternoon and see what happens when I try it again.

I'm hoping it's not the case that this is indicative of a lack of power. I knew I was dropping down in power a bit from my C80, but I didn't think 6 or 7 HP would make all that much difference.