peteze 10 #1 Posted February 28, 2022 Hi all, I need help solving my tractor problem. The gears grind and I am unable to shift. I have changed the belt. Shorter and longer. I have adjusted clutch to limits. I fear it is something in the rear axel. There is more to the story. (isn’t there always?).I never change the rear axel oil. Just add if low. This winter the tractor woudn’t move, I couldn’t start it. When it warmed up a bit I took plug out of axel and it was basically filled with water that had froze. (that is why I could not start the tractor. I drained axel, put in new 5/50 oil per recommendation. I don’t think having water in axel is the problem unless it caused something to break. I could go to a thicker axel oil like 90 weight. I need some help on this one. Thank you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,171 #2 Posted February 28, 2022 The drive belt must not be moving when you try to shift gears. The belt guard must be in place as it helps to stop the belt from moving. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,750 #3 Posted February 28, 2022 (edited) The correct oil your gear transaxle is 90wt gear lube. A straight 50 weight motor oil would also be equivalent to a 90 wt gear oil. But i suspect a 5/50 would be on the thin side in operation. Since you had a lot of water in your transaxle did you flush it before refilling. I would suggest filling it brim full of diesel for a soak and with out it running gently (don't force it) work the gear shifter through all gears to rub a lot to work any rust off and get everything inside sliding well. Note: since diesel is a lot thinner than gear oil you seals could leak a little, no harm, just a potential small mess. Then with it still full of diesel, run it around the yard/street in all gears (or running it up on jack stands). When you drain it jack up the front of the tractor as there is a hump in the center of the transaxle that traps some fluid from normally draining. Just to check, you do have the belt guard in place when your trying to shift it. Also these are not synchronized transmissions, so you should be stopped each time you shift gears. o you have the belt guard in place when trying to shift. Also replace the rubber boot on top the transmission around the gear shifter. This is where water typically gets in. PS, let us know what model tractor you have. Edited February 28, 2022 by oliver2-44 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,004 #4 Posted February 28, 2022 It sounds like you might have a problem with the belt guide inside of the belt guard. I am assuming that you have a gear driven tractor, not one with a hydrostatic drive. It would help to let us know what model of tractor you have. We like pictures, too. Inside the belt guard are some tabs that support the belt when the clutch is depressed. These Holt the belt off of the pulley on the engine. If the belt guard is not on the tractor, or if the tabs are bent or broken, the clutch will not release. Since you had water in the trans, you should check it again to see if there is still water mixed with the oil. If there is, the oil will appear to be milky. It would be a good idea to change the oil. The type of gear lube you use is not too critical - most Amy 80 or 90 weight will be fine. When you do drain the transmission, you need to raise the front of the tractor as high as you safely can. There is a hump in the bottom of the transmission that prevents all of the lube to drain out of the drain plug. Raising the front of the tractor helps. to the forum. Lots of helpful folks here. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peteze 10 #5 Posted February 28, 2022 Thank you for the advise. You guys are the best. now i have something to try as soon as weather allows. Thank you again and happy tractoring!I will get pictures and find model of tractor soon. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,171 #6 Posted February 28, 2022 Pete, the transmission may have been damaged when you attempted to operate the tractor while the with the frozen water was in the transmission. Check to see if the transmission is free. Remove the drive belt. Jack up one wheel. The wheel should turn free when the shifter is in nuetral. Try every gear and turn the wheel. As you turn the wheel,, it will be harder to turn and the input pulley (belt pulley) should turn. There should be no noise. If this tests OK, then I would proceed with the draining and flushing of the transmission before using the tractor. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,750 #7 Posted February 28, 2022 (edited) Edited February 28, 2022 by oliver2-44 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,557 #9 Posted February 28, 2022 In addition to all of the great advice above, make sure the transmission is completely warm and thawed out when you drain it. Lingering ice will keep water inside it… 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,867 #10 Posted February 28, 2022 Your favorite model is 654 and three more. we got a collector! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
