The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Does anyone elses tractor's gearbox clatter when idling? If I throttle the engine up and down slightly from idle there is a fairly loud clunking noise which sounds like its coming from the front of the gearbox, almost at the rear of the bellhousing. It has always done this, but I am worried there is a bearing or something inside that is worn or collapsed.

Is your tractor fitted with a belt pulley? Sometimes when the drive gear and dog clutch and bushes are worn you will get a loud clatter from them on tickover or when changing engine speeds which sounds as it is from the front of the gearbox as you say. Try removing the pulley and fit a blanking plate and see how it is then.

If no belt pulley is fitted then it is likely to be a worn bearing but I would not panic, it has probably been like that for many years! A gearbox strip down and new bearings would be the only cure.

I'm wondering if you have something loose in the clutch area. Take a prybar to the timing port window and see if the flywheel has any lateral movement.

Thank you for the replies!

There is no belt pulley fitted I am afraid, so there must be something a-miss inside somewhere.

The noise is definetly coming from the front of the bellhousing/gearbox, I did also wonder whether there is something up with the clutch or flywheel, but having said that the oil seal which goes on the top shaft into the backend is leaking so maybe something was starved of oil at some time.

I will post a video of it at the weekend and see what you think