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10 series column change gearbox

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2021 10:03 am
by Hair Bear
Question... How many versions of the column change arrangement were there?
There's a version with one lever each side, and one with both levers on the right, but I'm sure I've driven another version from around 1983 with both levers on the right but a different selector arrangement and the levers being flat section not round. Any ideas? Which version was the one known as the Rubik Cube?
Thanks.

Re: 10 series column change gearbox

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2021 7:43 pm
by John b
Wasn't the Rubics cube the fully synchromesh gearbox that would change without using the clutch?

Re: 10 series column change gearbox

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2021 8:16 pm
by Old Hywel
Sounds like you’re thinking of Select-o-speed, early 4/500 only. With the difficult column change it was pot luck as to which gear engaged, whatever you had selected. Later ones were fine, though I can’t remember the lever layout.

Re: 10 series column change gearbox

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2021 8:28 pm
by Hair Bear
From memory the select-o-speed was 10 ratios on one lever?

Re: 10 series column change gearbox

Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2021 8:53 pm
by John b
Didn't some of the 10 series have a shuttle type gearbox?

Re: 10 series column change gearbox

Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 7:39 am
by Emiel
Hi,

For as far as I know, shuttle transmissions were only available (in Europe) on the small 30 series and the 40 series. Never heard or seen that in a 10 series.

It seems that in the USA all type of gearbox variants were available from the 1950’s onwards. But don’t know much about American Ford tractors.

Rgds emiel

Re: 10 series column change gearbox

Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 7:46 am
by Emiel
Hi,

From what I’ve read (little personal experience) the first ten series column shift was the rubrics cube box. This is the one with both levers on the right.

Later in the levers went to left and right. I know some dealers did changes and updates to the mechanical side of the system.

Is flat and round lever not a difference between the 4 and the 3 cylinder tractors?

Our very 5610-II with series III details had a side shift. This was awkward for people familiar with other makes of tractor. I can imagine people loved the 40 series box compared to their old series 10

Rgds emiel

Re: 10 series column change gearbox

Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 7:10 pm
by Hair Bear
That's interesting, it would explain the flat/round lever thing although I'm sure the shift pattern was different.
The 710s were no better. Same 'box but this time a floor shift. Range lever was shorter than the gear lever as was traditional but with reverse on it you could never find it quickly. We put an extension on the lever for grass pit work, it helped, but It wasn't the answer for poor design. I can't work out how, if large scale field and yard testing was done in real world situations how it could possibly have been seen as a good idea and signed off for production.