WheelPuke 77 #1 Posted June 23, 2021 Please keep in mind I am not a mechanic with a light mechanical background. I was mowing with my 1988 414-8 today and while trying to go back into first from reverse I would be able to push the gear shift to the first position but would have no gear engagement. I was able to go up to 2nd and back down to first once and it never worked again. Reverse also began to develop the lack of engagement despite the shifters position. I could get reverse to work with an awkward twist. I finished out my mowing with my LX176 after parking the sick Horse. I am not good with transmissions but can learn. I haven’t much of an idea of what could be outside a couple suggestions I revived from fellow members in the welcome section and from my cousin who did a guesstimation of a diagnosis over the phone. His suggestion was shift forks, my cousins suggestion as well but he wasn’t sure since neither of use know how these transmissions are built. Any expert advice would greatly be appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,082 #2 Posted June 23, 2021 Might could be something amiss with the shifter fork end of the shift lever. I have not done this myself, but the shift lever is held in with a set screw on the transmission case. Back that off and the shift lever comes out. Probably best to have it in neutral when doing this - at least the 2 - 3 side. Maybe you can't get the 1 - R side there. I think there is a ball on the end that is in the case that engages the shifter forks. That ball should be concentric to the shift lever. While the lever is out of the case, shine a light into the shifter hole. Maybe try moving the 1 - R side into neutral with a screw driver. Please remember, I have not personally done this procedure. I might be missing something in my description. Good luck, and have fun. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cafoose 3,355 #3 Posted June 23, 2021 Check out this thread: 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,095 #4 Posted June 23, 2021 It is possible the roll or split pin securing the donut to the shifter has sheared allowing the shifter to rotate rather than slide the shift rails left or right. Some donuts are welded to the shifter and others are pined. The shifter has bends in it and becomes a crank if the donut allows the shifter to turn. "could get reverse to work with an awkward twist" Try shifting without allowing the shifter to turn. Garry 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
troutbum70 857 #5 Posted June 23, 2021 On my 417-8 the roll pin securing the ball to the shifter fell out allowing the shifter to become very sloppy, took some playing to be able to shift between gears. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,862 #6 Posted June 23, 2021 I think the guys above are on to what you have going on. Like they said pull the shifter...lift up the boot and use a 1/8" Allen wrench and a 7/16" open end to loosen the lock nut and then turn out the Allen head set screw enough to lift out the shifter. Another thing that could be the problem is the ball on the end of the shifter broke off...but it is probably the roll pin in the doughnut on the shifter. While you have the shifter out, use a large screwdriver to shift the forks with to make sure you have no issues there. Ask any questions and let us know what you find. According to the manual, you have the #110995 Transmission...8 pinion...8 speed. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelPuke 77 #7 Posted June 23, 2021 Geeze! You guys nailed it! Great info and walk through. Thank you all a lot. I removed the seating area and shifter cowl. I then removed the jam nut and locking stuff hold the shifter in place. Upon removing it and wiping it down the donut collar was moving and I found the roll pin had sheared. I’m off to the local auto parts store store to seek out a new roll pin. I’m not sure if fixing this will cure the problem or if I have a compound issue yet. I’ll know more when I have a new pin installed. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelPuke 77 #8 Posted June 23, 2021 I can also report that the shift forks seem to work correctly by my account. They have distinctive positions and move as a pair x2. Reverse and first seem to take a bit more force to move with the addition of rocking the tractor forward and back to ease the fork set to their respective positions. Could be my angle or the size of my largest screw driver? It seems to me at this point with a replacement roll pin for the donut collar on the gear selector should have the tractor operational again. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,862 #9 Posted June 23, 2021 Just know that the roll pin is not flush on both ends. The end facing the dog point set screw is recessed enough to accept the dog point from the Allen head screw. The doughnut swivels on that point. When you put it back together, set the screw enough to be tight in the doughnut and then back off very slightly, then use the lock nut. You should not have any slack in the shifter, but it still moves freely. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,095 #10 Posted June 23, 2021 933168 roll pin for the shifter donut 5/32" x 13/16" Note this is a roll pin - not a split pin which is weaker Garry 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelPuke 77 #11 Posted June 23, 2021 Thanks for the tip! I didn’t know that was a pivot point. In my ignorance I obtained one inch pins. I drove it in to the correct depth testing with the dog point and cut the excess off with a hack saw. I cleaned the dirt off that had been accumulating since 1988 and put it back together. The shifter is tighter than I ever remember it being. I suppose that pin has been on its way out since it belonged to my father. Shown is the repair broken pin and my two happy tractors ready for the next mow. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelPuke 77 #12 Posted June 23, 2021 20 minutes ago, gwest_ca said: 933168 roll pin for the shifter donut 5/32" x 13/16" Note this is a roll pin - not a split pin which is weaker Garry I ended up with a split pin. Darn. It’s what they had at the auto store. It ended up being a freebie. I’ll have to get a proper roll pin and replace it eventually. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill D 1,932 #13 Posted June 23, 2021 5 hours ago, WheelPuke said: I ended up with a split pin. Darn. It’s what they had at the auto store. It ended up being a freebie. I’ll have to get a proper roll pin and replace it eventually. Leave the pin in and weld the doughnut to the shaft. No worries about breaking another pin. Bill 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelPuke 77 #14 Posted June 23, 2021 If I had a welder or knew someone I’d consider that avenue. I haven’t welded in ten years. I’d also be concerned that the donut is a wear part and meant to be replaced no? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,095 #15 Posted July 5, 2021 I don't think the donuts are available now except with a new shifter. They don't seem to wear. Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
