TC33D info needed

Arkie · May 11, 2001

I recently traded my 1725 2wd for a TC33D,4wd,7308 FEL.After 45 minutes of use developed loud gear chatter from trany.Noise goes away when clutch is depressed,changes with RPM increase.Dealer came back and took tractor to shop and later told me everything is fine it just makes that noise from the gears not meshing.???Noise gets louder after longer use.I'm worried,anyone have any suggestions?Listened to other hydro's, noise not there or not as bad as mine.Help! tractor now has a total of 6 hours on it.

paccorti · May 11, 2001

Arkie,

Are you SURE it's the tranny gears? I know a lot of NHs are loud from the driveshaft cover. With 6 hrs it should not be necessary but there is a grease fitting on the front of the tractor where the driveshaft enters the front axle. On many of the machines you can pump a LOT of grease in there. In my tractor's case it took many minutes of constant pumping to fill that grease fitting. That has exorcised many a strange sound.

If you don't think that is the problem then we would need more information. Does the sound appear/disapper/change

In high vs low range?
Forward vs reverse?
2wd vs. 4wd?

For example does the noise disappear as soon as the clutch is depressed or when the tractor stops? Subtle point but important.

Peter

Arkie · May 11, 2001

went out and greased front driveshaft till no more grease would go in,used tractor for about 30 minutes and no change in noise.Noise seems to be coming from either trany or rear gearbox. noise changes with engine rpm and only stops when clutch is depressed when the tractor is stopped or rolling.Noise is not as bad when tractor is cold.Noise happens in all ranges,2wd & 4wd, forward and reverse. only when clutch is in does noise stop. Thanks for your help and does anyone else have this noise to maybe a lesser degree?

paccorti · May 13, 2001

Arkie,

So just to be clear the sound exists if the tractor is not moving and the clutch is out (but presumably in gear)? If so that would seem to point to the hydro pumps... They are kinda noisy. Do you have plenty of hydro fluid?

Peter

Arkie · May 13, 2001

Yes, the noise is there in all ranges ,even in neutral.I've checked the oil level and it is fine.I've checked to see if i could find something loose causing a rattle,nothing there.Thought maybe the differential lock might have something to do with it,but, it seems to be OK.Noise barely noticeable when tractor cold.I just can't figure this out.I find it hard to believe that NH would consider this normal,or at least a NH dealer.Dealer did say that they could"tear into it" but probably wouldn't find anything. I don't want my tractor tore open,it's brand new! It took me a year to talk my wife into letting me trade for this tractor and now this. If the noise IS normal i'll learn to live with it but if it's not I worry about later on.Guess that's what a warranty is for,huh. Thanks for trying to help.

marty · May 13, 2001

It seems unusual that the chatter or rattle would become greater with the increase of RPM's. It is normal for Fords / NH to chatter / rattle when they are warmed up and under 1500 RPM's. I found the chatter / rattle unusual as well for a new tractor when I got my TC33D. I knew that older Fords rattled at low RPM's when warm, but I did not think a new one would.
After a 110 hours I do not even notice that chatter, however it is there. Keep in mind that the prime operating for your tractor in 2400 RPM's.

djradz · May 14, 2001

Arkie, I have a 40D and no noise like you discuss. I also had a 1720 and no noise and drove a 33D at the dearler, but didn't notice any noise there either. I'd be concerned. Hydros make lots of hydro pump whine noise, but I've never heard any gear mis-meshing noise. You should hear a mimimal amount of gear meshing noise but I would describe that as more of a whine or hum, nothing like chatter.

Arkie · May 14, 2001

called dealer,going back today and this time drive a 29D to see if it makes this noise.If it doesn't ,mines going back to the shop until it's fixed . I'll keep everyone posted.

Arkie · May 14, 2001

Just got back from trying out a 29D. After tractor warmed up it did have the rattle at idle(not quite as loud as mine but it was there). Noise seemed to disappear after increasing rpm's.I think i'll wait and see if my noise gets any worse between now and it's 50 hour service. Thanks for everyone's comments and advice.

paccorti · May 14, 2001

Well I guess if the sound happens when the tractor is in neutral and not moving it is not the transmission. Probably a good thing.... The fact that the sound is worse when the tractor heats up is curious. I wonder how tight the brake/hydro linkages are. On my TC35 they have grease fitting. If the grease heated up it might allow the linkages to shift around more (side to side along the shaft). I once had a strange sound coming out of my TC35. I bought about $5 of parts from Radio Shack to make a condensor microphone. Plugged it into my video camera to help record the sound. With a little duct tape and long wires I can place that microphone anywhere on the tractor. Might work for you too.

Peter