312-A frozen tranny all of a sudden- is it shot?

[urbanmic 0]

First time posting here! I was just repairing a recently-acquired 312-A which had been sitting since last season. After going over everything--- replacing all the belts and giving it a 1/2 hour test drive where it seemed to be operating fine, I shut it down to double check the belt tension and oil. When I went to re-start it (not more than 1/2 hour later), I found the motion control lever will not move at all forward or reverse. The fluid level is good, and there is no binding on the linkage. I even tried to gingerly "pry" the arm on the transmission to get it to move and it will not budge in either direction. It's almost as if it's welded in place. While the engine is running, it'll move in reverse slightly. I have a good amount of experience with tractors and repairs in general but not enough with Wheel Horses to know what's going on in this case. The machine is a 1987 and generally in good condition for it's age. I just don't know what to do from here or be able to decisively determine whether the transmission is shot or not. Thinking back, while I was mowing grass during the "test ride" it felt like it would feel like there was a slight slip as I started up a hill. But it did keep going as I pushed the lever further forward. There was no noise coming from that area....no overheating, nothing out of the ordinary as far as I could tell. Before I drove it, I let the engine run for over 10 minutes (while I was adjusting the idle) and the outside temperature was over 60 degrees. I'm just somewhat surprised about how quickly it went from moving forward or reverse to completely frozen up. But as mentioned, I don't know enough about these machines to know whether this is what happens when they let go. Any ideas, suggestions?

I was originally going to ask about why a few of the warning lights would stay on when the key is turned off (PTO clutch and clutch pedal) but I suppose that's a moot point if the machine won't move!

[520HC 208]

Check to see if your brake pedal isn't locked down.

[urbanmic 0]

Hi and thanks for responding. The brake pedal definitely isn't locked down....but this brings up an interesting question which I'm now wondering whether it can somehow be related to the transmission issue. During that break after I was testing out the machine, I decided to try to adjust the brake according to the recommended procedure in the manual. Unfortunately with the pedal adjusted to where it should be, the pedal is nowhere close to coming into contact with the safety switch. So i had to adjust it back to where it was to be able to get the machine to start. I noticed too that the parking brake lock doesn't seem to do much or engage easily if at all. But that issue didn't seem to impact anything before as it was able to move both forward and reverse. Does the position of that parking brake lock itself impact the function of the transmission directly? The only reason I bring this up is because the parking brake adjustment was the only thing I was tinkering with before I noticed I can't move the machine. Looking back it just seems TOO coincidental to have the tranny lock up all of a sudden!! ;-0

thanks!

[can whlvr 993]

im not sure if you have an eaton 11 series or the 7 series,if its the 11 the brake adjustment shouldnt affect it that much that it wont move,i would put her on wheel stands,take off the linkage where it joins the cam plate and see if you can move the cam by hand,first not running then running,be careful as it could fall off the stands,this will truelly eliminate the linkage and tell you if its internal or not

[squonk 41,343]

It sounds like something in the linkage to me too. If you decide you need a tranny, I've got a complete Eaton 1100 transaxle for sale cheap If your in the North East we might be able to arrange something., Or possibly meet at the show in June.

[urbanmic 0]

Just got back from the garage and you guys were dead on. I removed the cam bolt and the speed control cam at the top of the transmission moved easily. From there I took the cover off (in front of the seat) and found the problem. The lever from the brake was not in it's correct place at the bottom of the cam that locks the parking brake. With the brake not being connected, the cam was rotated to the "park" position, not allowing the motion control lever to move. Such a simple thing but I'm glad I asked because your help really got me on the right track! I'll follow up with a status update once I get everything buttoned up! Thanks SO much!

[can whlvr 993]

right on,its nice to hear of a hydro problem that was an easy fix :thumbs2:

[bowtiebutler956 650]

:WRS:

Matt :flags-texas:

[urbanmic 0]

Finally got to getting everything put back together and it's working just fine now. I did drill out the hole at the end of the rod on the brake lever to accommodate a larger cotter pin to hopefully help keep it from coming apart in the future. So other than the PTO and clutch pedal lights (even though it has no clutch pedal) staying on all the time (even with the key off) it's operating pretty well. I did a cursory check of the switches, wiring, and grounds but at this point am thinking it may be in the board, considering some experiences i've read in this forum. In the interest of getting the grass cut before I need a baler, I'll just pull the fuse when i'm done and put it back in to start it up. Thanks again to all for your help!

[can whlvr 993]

i would post that prob in the electrical area and you will probally get the help you need,thats strange,maybe the key switch,but without knowing if someone has altered the wiring,its hard to say,but i thought the circuit board power was from the switch,i unplugged one of mine after it caught fire,i have to get it off and pics of it for us to see,my board is on a 1987 414,it had a fused link that i just took the fuse out andleft it out,its in behind the dash,if yours is similar