Why do the gears grind on my new L3400

[milkman636]

It only takes a couple minutes to adjust the free play. It sounds like you are measuring it right. Why not try taking it down to .8"-1" of travel and see if shifting improves? It might help, and it is something you will need to revisit as the years go by.

I had similar troubles with my JD tractor back when I first bought it. A small free play adjustment helped out.

 

[Chilly807]

I learned something last night while reading an old thread, about grinding gears in a 3400.

Assuming you're in neutral, clutch released, and the engine is idling. In my experience, if you depress the clutch and shift right away it'll grind.

Try depressing the clutch, wait a count of 5, then engage the gear using the shuttle.

The delay allows the spinning gears to stop, and engage smoothly. I tried it today and the difference was night and day.

Incidentally, the manual makes NO mention of this.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/107317-l3400-grinding-shifting-problem.html

Sean

 

[PoorMansCat]

I have an '09 3400 DT, same transmission as yours. What I've found is that with an unsynchronized transmission you can't shift on the fly without double clutching. Upward shifts on the fly are no problem if you double clutch, downward isn't always so good.

Mine also grinds under this condition.. you slow to a stop, depress the clutch, then put the shuttle lever in neutral. Then let the clutch out and idle for a few seconds for whatever reason, then depress the clutch and try to move the shuttle lever back into gear, it grinds almost every time.

The cure for that is to push the clutch in, increase the engine speed to about 1400-1500 rpm very briefly with the foot throttle, then as it comes back to idle, gently re-engage the shuttle lever in either forward or reverse gears. Works every time for me.

My clutch is perfectly adjusted, I've checked it a couple times. I think it's just the nature of the beast.

Sean

YEP!!!..... my 4400 is exactly the same way...