TC45DA Ratcheting Sound/ 4WD Lever

dieselscout80 · Aug 2, 2022

My son was mowing a pasture today and noticed a sound like a ratcheting noise when the 4wd lever was riding a bit forward in the disengaged position and abated when move further rearward.

I found a post that mentioned the same type of sound, but know outcome was posted.

TC45 Transmission Noise?

I am thinking that since I heard the noise after I had been bushhogging for a few hours maybe it has something to do with being hot. Is there any reason that I would have heard this sound from under the tractor ( I am assuming transmission or front axle) ? TD, was the PTO and rotary cutter...

www.tractorbynet.com

Has anyone adjusted the MFD/4wd lever’s engagement travel?

dieselscout80 · Aug 3, 2022

I am not sure if my 4wd linkage is bent or not. I am leaning towards it’s not bent based the two attached pictures.

If not bent it’s an adjustment issue.

Can anyone verify by looking at there linkage and say if mine looks okay or not?

nyone · Aug 4, 2022

Looks bent to me. A manufacturer isnt going to put a bend in the threded area of any rod.

nyone · Aug 4, 2022

Also what your picture is of is #16. The highlighted part is the actual lever.

WM75Guy · Aug 4, 2022

Here is where it connects to the transmission so not a lot of travel there. It does appear to be bent. That would throw the adjustment out. Sometimes it is tough getting the front axle to engage or disengage. It looks like someone was trying to force it by pulling the handle back, where it bent was the weak point. I have had to lift the front end off the ground with the loader to lose the pressure off the drive line in order to move the lever, especially to get it out of 4WD.

dieselscout80 · Aug 4, 2022

I’m only concerned with the rod/linkage in my picture as the one on the side of the transmission is straight.

the picture from the parts boo looks like it has a bend at the threads, but I think that’s a bad idea too.

WM75Guy · Aug 4, 2022

Your rod is bent where I placed the arrow. That is the only threaded part where you can adjust the throw. My other diagram shows that at the transmission that lever only moves about an inch or so. The 4WD lever moves 6" inches. Pulling back on the 4WD lever to take it out of 4WD forces rod #16 down. If there is pressure on the front driveline it will not come out of 4WD. Due to mechanical advantage from how the 4WD lever operates someone bent the rod at the weakest point where the threads start trying to force it out of 4WD. Now your adjustment is off due to the bent rod. My TC40DA has the same parts and it is not bent where your rod is bent.

dieselscout80 · Aug 4, 2022

Now I see my mistake thanks.

I wonder if I can just straighten it or if I‘ll have reinforce it?

WM75Guy · Aug 4, 2022

It is $345 for a new one. Messick's doesn't have it in stock so it may not be available any more. I would check to see if it is still available. For me that would help me determine how aggressive I get at trying to straighten it. A little heat and gentle persuasion might get it straight enough to get it back in adjustment.