Shuttle Shifter issues

[Krisfarmlady]

Hi all, hope one of you can help me.
I have a 1994 555D Ford backhoe and when I have been using it anywhere from 20-30 min the shuttle shifter stops working and it won’t go forward or reverse. After it cools down it can be used again…. What is causing this? It’s a real pain and can’t get much work done…. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

 

[TractorTech]

Welcome to TBN.

When it does this, it won't even try to move?
If you lift the back end off of the ground and engage the shuttle, do the wheels move or try?

 

[Krisfarmlady]

Thanks for the reply.
It won’t even try.

 

[newbury]

How does the:

shuttle shifter stops working

Does it have a mechanical linkage?
My '95 Kubota m4700 has done similar a few times.
The shifter mechanism on my M4700 is comprised of several rods connected by metal joints. Each time it stopped working the shift lever where it connected to the transmission was binding. A liberal application of my favorite lubricant freed it up.
The first time was a panic, the second time an "oh well, here we go again",

 

[Krisfarmlady]

How does the:


Does it have a mechanical linkage?
My '95 Kubota m4700 has done similar a few times.
The shifter mechanism on my M4700 is comprised of several rods connected by metal joints. Each time it stopped working the shift lever where it connected to the transmission was binding. A liberal application of my favorite lubricant freed it up.
The first time was a panic, the second time an "oh well, here we go again",

I am being told it is electric fed/2 wires.

 

[TractorTech]

It is an electrical shifter buy the heating up and stopping is baffling.
Power comes from the fuse block to the foot switch/clutch and the shifter and loader buttons, then to the controller module mounted I believe under the steering column. If power is disrupted along that line, such as clutching, the transmission goes to neutral.
If you jumped that line and fed the controller directly, you could identify any wiring or switch problems as your culprit if it stayed moving after 10-20 minutes.

It sounds more like heat related, though. The module getting hot and not working is unlikely. The solenoids that control direction are at the top of the bell housing and could be the problem, but both forward and reverse at the same time doesn't make sense.

Lastly, you could have a pump problem where the oil heats up, thins and the clutches won't hold.

Difficult to diagnose over the internet, but possible problems it could be.

 

[Krisfarmlady]

It is an electrical shifter buy the heating up and stopping is baffling.
Power comes from the fuse block to the foot switch/clutch and the shifter and loader buttons, then to the controller module mounted I believe under the steering column. If power is disrupted along that line, such as clutching, the transmission goes to neutral.
If you jumped that line and fed the controller directly, you could identify any wiring or switch problems as your culprit if it stayed moving after 10-20 minutes.

It sounds more like heat related, though. The module getting hot and not working is unlikely. The solenoids that control direction are at the top of the bell housing and could be the problem, but both forward and reverse at the same time doesn't make sense.

Lastly, you could have a pump problem where the oil heats up, thins and the clutches won't hold.

Difficult to diagnose over the internet, but possible problems it could be.

Ok, thanks for the feedback, let me get this to my son and let him do some more checking based on this. Will see what he finds out. Someone had told him to take out the fuses and clean them up real good and that might work. He did try that and it worked but don’t know if it was that or it had just cooled off enough. Thank you!! Will keep you posted.

 

[TractorTech]

Have been able to narrow down your problem?

 

[Krisfarmlady]

Have been able to narrow down your problem?

We will be trying things out on Sunday, it’s been a crazy week. Will send message Sunday night.

 

[loggin]

I was thinking the same as TractorTech. Since it seems to be heat related would point to a possible problem with the pump.

 

[LouNY]

Also what fluid is being used in the transmission/torque converter, I believe those are separate from the hydraulic system and actually used a different fluid.
From an old thread;
Ford 555 fluid questions

 

[Krisfarmlady]

I was thinking the same as TractorTech. Since it seems to be heat related would point to a possible problem with the pump.

So the backhoe stopped going in reverse after 14 min of run time. Still continued to go forward. We lifted back wheels off ground and it still would not go into reverse. It acted like it wanted to but didn’t. Will let it cool off and it would work again for 15 min then stopped again and only reverse. Forward continues to work.

 

[TractorTech]

So the backhoe stopped going in reverse after 14 min of run time. Still continued to go forward. We lifted back wheels off ground and it still would not go into reverse. It acted like it wanted to but didn’t. Will let it cool off and it would work again for 15 min then stopped again and only reverse. Forward continues to work.

Strange. Could be the F/R shifter, but again acts like heat related.
As LouNY asked, what kind of oil and what condition is it in?
Could be the reverse solenoid or valve giving you fits.

 

[eKretz]

I agree, maybe solenoid coil. Check for voltage at the coil wires when it's not wanting to move and see if it's trying to activate the solenoid or not.

 

[Krisfarmlady]

I agree, maybe solenoid coil. Check for voltage at the coil wires when it's not wanting to move and see if it's trying to activate the solenoid or not.

I will have son check this.

 

[Krisfarmlady]

Also what fluid is being used in the transmission/torque converter, I believe those are separate from the hydraulic system and actually used a different fluid.
From an old thread;
Ford 555 fluid questions

 

[TractorTech]

When did you change the transmission filter last. Also, there is an inlet screen on this transmission that is supposed to be cleaned, but hardly anyone does. I'm thinking that it might be a flow issue. It would affect both directions though

 

[Krisfarmlady]

I do not know what hydraulic fluid he uses but I do know it’s all the same one that he is putting in all areas, there are 2 places he adds hydraulic fluid. 1 area is in the front of the backhoe and 1 area is at your feet by the brakes/gas pedal. This is what my father told him to use. If there are 2 different kinds of fluid then that’s an issue. The backhoe is in pretty good shape.

 

[Krisfarmlady]

When did you change the transmission filter last. Also, there is an inlet screen on this transmission that is supposed to be cleaned, but hardly anyone does. I'm thinking that it might be a flow issue. It would affect both directions though

We changed 2 filters last fall. If there is more then that we missed it. I don’t know about the inlet screen.

 

[eKretz]

I do not know what hydraulic fluid he uses but I do know it’s all the same one that he is putting in all areas, there are 2 places he adds hydraulic fluid. 1 area is in the front of the backhoe and 1 area is at your feet by the brakes/gas pedal. This is what my father told him to use. If there are 2 different kinds of fluid then that’s an issue. The backhoe is in pretty good shape.

There should be 3 places. The one up in the front of the machine is the hydraulic fluid reservoir. There should be two separate fill points in the floor pan by the operator's seat. The front one is for the transmission, the one further back is for the rear axle. All use the same oil, MC134D. The intake screen should be checked as TractorTech advised too, that should be under a cover with two bolts that's accessible underneath the machine on the right side IIRC.