The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

I will try and keep this short.
I have a '61 Dexta with live pto that I have mostly apart doing a rebuild.
The previous owner said that it had came out of gear a few times. When I drove it, that never happened, but I felt a "clunk" once or twice. I got three or four pieces of gear teeth when I drained the fluid.
I do not know much about the inside workings of transmissions, but thought I would look around and see if I could see where these teeth broke. I removed the throwout (clutch release bearing), yoke and cross shaft. At this point, according to the manual, the front cover plate can be unbolted and should come out with the input shaft retainer. The plate will only move enough to tease me. I was able to easily remove the retainer and pto input shaft by taking out its bolts, but wanted the plate off for a better look and to possibly change the pto shaft bearing.
The good (?) news is that the pto input shaft had several nicks and pieces missing and I believe this is the problem area. I don't want to go any further into the transmission than necessary.
Is it possible that the previous owner had the tractor come out of gear only when mowing? This was what it was mostly used for. Oh, and are the shaft and seals easy to find to purchase?

If I can't get that plate off, should I be concerned with the bearing?
Is there a trick that I am missing?
I really have no reason to think it is bad. I just thought while I was this close maybe I should replace it.

Hope this all makes sense.
Any thoughts and suggestions are already appreciated.

Gene

You know, I felt rather silly about part of my original comments. The pto shaft problem should have nothing to do with coming out of gear.
I removed the shifter cover this morning and found a gear with a piece missing from probably 80% of the the splines. I am not sure what it would be called, but I think it could be the "reverse connector" (?). It looks terrible. But I still have to get that front plate off to remove the spring clip, etc. to get everything apart.

Gene

It can be pretty hard to get those plates out sometimes.
They are centered by two pins,which may come out,or may stay in place.
Thus the plate must be removed very carefully,so that you don't pull on one side only.
Be sure you have removed every circlip necessary,they can be inside a gear.
The plate also has a gasket,this can be sticky.
And on top of that,it holds a bearing.

This combined makes it a delicate operation.

Have you found the drawings and manuals on this site?
Also Stefan's site is a wealth of info.

Good luck.
Rob.

Thanks Rob

I have a service manual and parts list.
I did get the plate off. The main culprit was the bearing being stuck in the boss/casting. Once I got past that, things were easier. However, it's going to hurt my budget. I need to replace the first/third gear, drive shaft, PTO input shaft and main shaft. Ouch! I got most of it taken apart today.
This poor thing was driven hard.

Gene

Maybe it's worth looking for a complete used gearbox?
I got one for some 50 euros.