Ooooohhh, I need help with my shifters

cvpuser · Sep 22, 2003

I have a one year old TC40. The H-shifter to the right of the steering wheel and the 4WD lever that pulls strait up on the left side of the seat are very VERY difficult to engage. The H-shifter is getting stiffer every week. The 4WD shifter is completely stuck and I can't get the tractor out of 4WD.

Is there a lubrication point for these two shifters that perhaps I've missed? Do I have to take the cowling off below the steering wheel to get to a lub point for the shifter?

Thanks for any insight!!

IndianaPaul · Sep 22, 2003

I have TC45D and have experenced a bit of the stiffness you have with the 4WD control....to the point I felt I might bend it. Your profile does not show whether you have a FEL on your 40. If so, put the bucket on the ground and roll it forward to slightly lift your front wheels. Once they're off the ground, try moving the shifter to 2 WD.

Lubrication to the control portions under the fenders helps, but I have never really found the lube to cure the stiffness for very long.

Paul

cvpuser · Sep 22, 2003

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try it. Also, I updated my profile. Thanks.

jinman · Sep 22, 2003

I cant' help you with your H-Shifter, but like Paul said, the 4WD can be a problem if you leave it engaged or unengaged for too long. I just make it a practice to engage and unengage a few times every time I start my tractor. That seems to keep it loose. When it is tough to move, I just rock the tractor back and forth and it will move easily. I don't know of any lube point that will help much. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

jinman · Sep 22, 2003

I checked my Repair manual and it shows you shifter is mounted to the steering column and the shaft has two universal joints. There is no mention of lubrication, so my guess is that something may be out of adjustment. Is your tractor still under warranty? The bracket attached to the steering column is supposed to be adjusted up-and-down so you have "...equal motion between neutral, and the up and down gear postions." You will have to remove the cowling to get at the shifter. There are two visible bolts in the operator platform area and two more on the "firewall" under the hood. The diagram looks like you only have to take off the right-hand cowling if you want to check out the "works" yourself. I hope this helps. Another member who has the same tractor as yours is Mike (Mikim) but I'm not sure if he has a email shown in his profile so you can PM him. He might know something in addition to what I've found.

jinman · Sep 22, 2003

Check out the attachment for a drawing of your shifter assembly.

cvpuser · Sep 29, 2003

Thanks for the diagram!! That's very helpful. I'll take it apart and check it out. Yes, it's under warranty, but I have no practical way to get the tractor back to the dealer. If it's a simple lub problem or a simple adjustment, I'll attempt that before I pack it in and take it back to the dealer.

The 4WD is working much better now. I did as the other fella suggested and rocked the front wheels up off the ground using the FEL and it shifted very easily. I've worked it a few times since and it seems to be playing nicely now.

Thanks, guys.