The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Kiwi Kev · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 12:47 am Post subject: No Gears

Guys
On my way home today from doing a couple of hours of slashing, I stopped to talk to someone on the side of the road, and found the tractor was stuck in gear. Tractor had been going fine and showing no signs of a problem.
I was in high 3rd at the time.
Clutch still works fine, high/low still work fine, just stuck in gear(my guess is 1st gear). Have pulled the gear lever off, but did not reveal anything. Drove rest of way home
Any ideas of where to look first
Thanks
Kiwi Kev
_________________
"Classic Contracting"
Where the machinery is older, and more reliable than the operator!

57 Major running industrial engine and dual wheels.
55 Major awaiting completion of 4WD conversion.
53 Major with backhoe and front end loader.

JC · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 6:48 am Post subject:

Hi Kev,
I think I'd pull the gear change plate off first and see what's going on with the forks and the linkage from the gear shift.
Good luck!
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Brian · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:17 am Post subject:

I'm with JC. That is a pretty rare problem though, usually the bottom wears off the gear lever and it comes out of the socket. see my repair job in pictures.
_________________
Petrol Dexta's are a mans best friend, keep 'em all original!

Brian

Kiwi Kev · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:14 pm Post subject:

I have'nt had a chance to look at it yet. It's still parked part way down my driveway, as it only has forward drive, so will only get one go at getting it in the shed.
Pony Club most of today, so hopefully will get to it tonight.
Kiwi Kev
_________________
"Classic Contracting"
Where the machinery is older, and more reliable than the operator!

57 Major running industrial engine and dual wheels.
55 Major awaiting completion of 4WD conversion.
53 Major with backhoe and front end loader.

Foxen · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 10:52 am Post subject:

Brian · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 8:19 pm Post subject:

Sorry, I do not have any other pictures but it is really a simple job.

Remove the gear lever and housing. Nothing to fall out.

Remove the circlip and spring from the gear lever. Remove gear lever knob.

Gear lever will then come out of the housing. Check the locating pin in the side of the housing. Replace if badly worn. You will have to make one.

Build up groove in gear lever with weld and machine to size. I used angle grinder and file.

Reassemble housing/gear lever. Drop spring and circlip over lever. Using a ring spanner the exact size of the circlip, slip this down the lever shaft until it rests on the circlip. Drive circlip home with a sharp tap on the ring spanner with a hammer.

Refit housing to tractor.
_________________
Petrol Dexta's are a mans best friend, keep 'em all original!

Brian

Foxen · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 10:04 pm Post subject:

The Swanndri Guy · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:12 am Post subject:

Hey Kev, have you found out why your Major is stuck in gear yet?Cheers TSG.
_________________
Super Dexta, 3000Y & 4000Y.

Kiwi Kev · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 8:14 am Post subject:

TSG
No not yet.
I've had a look in the side cover, and everything looked good. Will have another better look soon, as anything else other than whats inside the cover, will probably mean lots of work.
Will keep you posted.
Kiwi Kev
_________________
"Classic Contracting"
Where the machinery is older, and more reliable than the operator!

57 Major running industrial engine and dual wheels.
55 Major awaiting completion of 4WD conversion.
53 Major with backhoe and front end loader.

Dandy Dave · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:06 pm Post subject:

I have a1937 John Deere B Orchard, (Now I will be tared, feathered, and band for life for admitting owning something of the green and yellow breed...but...) ...and the gear shifter was getting stuck and hard to shift a number of years ago. I pulled the lever out and found that the shifting rails and rods were dry and in need of lubrication. Even though the transmission throws oil around, it does not throw it far enough to reach the shifting mechanizum. I oiled it up, and it worked fine after that. I'm wondering if the Fordsons share the same problem? Hence, things wear, or seize for lack of lube. I do not run the John Deere much as it is on iron and was restored for a parade and show tractor. If I need to get some real work done, I get out the Power Major. Wink

Dandy Dave!
_________________
Have a Fordsonful day Folks!

1960 Fordson Power Major

Brian · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 4:16 pm Post subject:

I do not speak to John Deere owners!

Dodo, please tell Kev when you next see him that, unlike that green scrap, Major selectors should run in the oil (if you keep the gearbox full). There is very little to go wrong as you also move the gears on the shafts.

Selector rails and interlocks can jam or bearings can fail. Hope it is something simple.

Of course, it could be a virus, caught from the JD. Wink

_________________
Petrol Dexta's are a mans best friend, keep 'em all original!

Brian

Dandy Dave · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:14 pm Post subject:

Kiwi Kev · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:44 pm Post subject:

Just thinking out loud here before I do anything.
I do have another gearbox, but I think it may have a stuck or broken handbrake.
If I was to strip that gearbox (to check it before installing in tractor) can I just remove handbrake section and then use gearbox or is that not possible.

Will still have another look at selectors though.
Kiwi Kev
_________________
"Classic Contracting"
Where the machinery is older, and more reliable than the operator!

57 Major running industrial engine and dual wheels.
55 Major awaiting completion of 4WD conversion.
53 Major with backhoe and front end loader.

Brian · Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:29 am Post subject:

Yes you can take the handbrake off as long as you press the shaft the gear runs on further into the housing. Otherwise the reverse idler gear will be floating around a bit.

You could also transfer the handbrake over (if you have one).

Just another thought. Its not a live drive is it? If so, go in through the pulley plate and check that the pulley drive gear retaining nut has not come loose. Can also happen on a standard box but more usual on a livedrive.
_________________
Petrol Dexta's are a mans best friend, keep 'em all original!

Brian

Foxen · Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:01 am Post subject:

Sorry for jacking the thread, but do the hand brake equipment from a live drive box fit inside a standard box? My handbrake has been removed because someone tried to run the tractor with it engaged(and broke off the two pins), they then fished the parts out through the hi/lo shifter hole and the hole from the steering box... I guess it will mean splitting the tractor and removing the gearbox, not something I neccessary want to do right now but if I ever need to rebuild the engine I will get to that as well...
_________________
Essex Lily - Super Major -62 (No. 1618924)
Mr Fordson - Super Dexta -64(dad's)
"Si is est non infractus , effrego is quod animadverto si vos can redintegro is!"
<Ut simplex, validus quod constanter ut ferrum talea campester = Super Major>

The Swanndri Guy · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:41 am Post subject:

Dandy Dave, the only green and yellow tractor worthy of being mentioned in this forum would be a Roadless 6/4 Ploughmaster. Yeah, that!

Has anyone got a picture of one , so Dandy Dave can show other people what a quality green and yellow tractor looks like! Wink

TSG.
_________________
Super Dexta, 3000Y & 4000Y.

JC · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 7:31 am Post subject:

Kiwi Kev · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:04 am Post subject:

Dandy Dave · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 1:08 pm Post subject:

Kjetil · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 1:17 pm Post subject:

Brian, you wrote: 'see my repair job in pictures'.

I am not able to find it. Anybody have a link?

Kjetil

Foxen · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 2:53 pm Post subject:

Here it is Kjetil
http://www.fordsontractorpages.nl/ubb/Forum4/HTML/001123.html
_________________
Essex Lily - Super Major -62 (No. 1618924)
Mr Fordson - Super Dexta -64(dad's)
"Si is est non infractus , effrego is quod animadverto si vos can redintegro is!"
<Ut simplex, validus quod constanter ut ferrum talea campester = Super Major>

Gman · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:09 pm Post subject:

Hello all. The shifter on my power major has always turned one way or the other if you do not shift it straight forward,backwards or sideways. Always figured there was some pin worn or fell out of place.
Gerald
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Gman

Foxen · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 7:47 pm Post subject:

Kiwi Kev · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 8:02 am Post subject:

Anybody know of where I can find an exploded view of the FMD gearbox.
My manuals only show the cut away view.
Kiwi Kev
_________________
"Classic Contracting"
Where the machinery is older, and more reliable than the operator!

57 Major running industrial engine and dual wheels.
55 Major awaiting completion of 4WD conversion.
53 Major with backhoe and front end loader.

Foxen · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 8:19 am Post subject:

Doesn't the spare parts catalogue show the gearbox in exploded view?
_________________
Essex Lily - Super Major -62 (No. 1618924)
Mr Fordson - Super Dexta -64(dad's)
"Si is est non infractus , effrego is quod animadverto si vos can redintegro is!"
<Ut simplex, validus quod constanter ut ferrum talea campester = Super Major>