TRACTOR STUCK IN 2 GEARS AT ONCE

[COASTBUSTER]

Hi guys, i have a 1958 ford 4000 back/loader with what i think is a sherman transmission. I have been having trouble with the tranny shift fork coupling getting stuck in first gear and having to take the shifter plate off to move it back to neutral. Worn parts perhaps. Now i have a new dilemma. It has gotten stuck in 2 gears at once,first and third. Both fork couplings are in gear and can't move either one. Tranny is totally locked up. even crow bars won't budge it. Thinking of trying to turn the engine,with clutch engaged, in reverse a little to maybe free it up. Any thoughts? Dan

 

[art]

Sometimes it takes a pry bar to loosen them up when you get two gears in at once like you have. Study it out and figure what gear you are in and pry on that one the most!

 

[fgross335_2210]

I would get at least one drive wheel off the ground to remove some of the preload, maybe then it will free up......

 

[sandman2234]

Unless you have a thick wallet, I wouldn't start the motor to fix this problem...
My ford broke a shift fork and it will do the same thing. It requires opening the tranny to fix by moving the two gear, but raising one drive wheel off the ground would make sense that it would relieve the pressure that is binding it. Mine will kill the engine when the clutch is released if it is in both gears, but you may not get so lucky.
David from jax

 

[Dollar Bill]

After pulling the shifter cover and verifying that it is locked in two gears.... Most times you cannot pry hard enough to get them released. You have to relieve some of the tension on them before you can move them. Again, brute force is NOT the answer.

Jacking up the rear end of the tractor rarely helps because the binding came from the front of the transmission. The answer is fairly simple. Disconnect the battery for your safety. Now rotate the engine backwards (counterclockwise looking at it from the front). This will turn the transmission input shaft backwards and release all the pressure that was on the 2 gears so you can easily slide the shift collars back to the neutral position.

If the fan belt is good and has a good grip on the pulleys you can turn the engine backwards using the fan. If you can't get it to move enough (one revolution is usually more than enough) you may need to find another way such as removing the starter and turning the flywheel with a screwdriver in the ring gear teeth.

Keep checking the shift collars in the transmission. When the engine has moved backwards far enough the collars will be free and you can position everything back into the neutral position. Then you simply need to install the shift cover and get back to work. If you stopped in time and did not get rough with it, there should be no damage. If you originally heard a loud bang when you let out the clutch or you got rough with it while trying to get it free, you'll be buying some new gears for the transmission. Replace the shifter cover with one that isn't worn or just be sure to shift it carefully and you won't have a problem again.

Courtesy of John Smith.

 

[COASTBUSTER]

Okay,I got the sucker. Had to start engine with one wheel off ground. Using a front end fork tool as a prybar,I popped clutch in and out repeatedly while banging on prybay on 1st gear shift fork until it finally gave way. Whew,that was tough one. Thought I was gonna have to pull the tranny which looked like a huge project. Somehow in the process,some teeth on second gear broke off. Been driving around a while and see any ill effects form that. Is this a common problem? Even getting stuck in 1st gear alone,which was an easy fix,by taking the shifter plate off a moving the fork manually,was a big pain in the neck.Now I only have 2 bolts holding the shifter plate down because I have to do it so often. How is it fixed? New shifter? Someone mentioned detentes. Any thoughts? Also thanks for your input today. Dan

 

[DaveOmak]

Dan, mornin'... If it were mine and I needed and liked the tractor I would have the tranny repaired. Cheaper to fix before it is broke and headaches are gone. Be worth more when it is time to sell also..

 

[Soundguy]

the reason you broke teeth off the gear was beacuse you used the brute force and ignorance method instead of the finesse and patience method, posted by dollar bill, courtesy of great Ford person John Smith.

this is a common issue for that style of tranny.

NOW you can split the unit to repair the tranny.

ps.. is this a cream colored unit with a heavy front axle?

soundguy

 

[RickB]

the reason you broke teeth off the gear was beacuse you used the brute force and ignorance method instead of the finesse and patience method, posted by dollar bill, courtesy of great Ford person John Smith.

this is a common issue for that style of tranny.

NOW you can split the unit to repair the tranny.

ps.. is this a cream colored unit with a heavy front axle?

soundguy

Chiclets floating around in there might just split the tranny on its own. That type of outcome is known around here as 'tuition'. Just depends on how many times one has to pay before the lesson is learned.

 

[Soundguy]

Chiclets floating around in there might just split the tranny on its own. That type of outcome is known around here as 'tuition'. Just depends on how many times one has to pay before the lesson is learned.

i cringed when i read the part about popping the clutch while prying and beating on it...

soundguy