HST gear range L-M-H select issue

[StrangeRanger]

I've got an L3400 HST and from day one the switch between L-M-H has been a less than pleasant task. At first I thought maybe it had to "break in" or would change w/ use. But it's still a PITA to do.
Per the manual's suggestions I've tried leaving "between" gears and pushing the HST pedal a tad. I let it sit for a bit after coming out of one selection and going into another and lots of other things, but it's still 9/10 times a chore.
Anyone else experience this? Got any tips for faster/smoother gear changes? Does it matter that I'm in 4WD 98% of the time?
Thanks,
j

 

[ccsial]

My L3400 is the same way. The gears are tooth to tooth when this happens so you have to move one gear of the other. Hitting the go pedal moves one, rolling the tractor moves the other.

What I do when it gets ornery is push on the gear selector while at the same time very gently pressing the go pedal.

There is nothing wrong with your tractor, it is just the nature of the beast.

 

[kthompson]

I have a B2710 and sometimes it gives me the same problem. Seems to me it hits a lot when it happens and reading the question on 4 wheel drive is making me think it is worse when in 4 wheel drive.

 

[firefighter jim]

I have an L3400 and B7800 of which both, on occasion, do the same thing. Simply move forward a little, stop, and shift. Repeat if necessary. be patient and don t force it.

 

[amigauser]

I have an L3400 and B7800 of which both, on occasion, do the same thing. Simply move forward a little, stop, and shift. Repeat if necessary. be patient and don t force it.

That is how it works on my GL3240 to. I don't think the gears are synchronized like in a car transmission so the movement helps the gears align.

 

[wushaw]

I just put the FEL down and add a little down pressure most of the time, it works quite well, I find it works easier than any other method I have tried.

 

[Goog]

Same on my L3400 HST. I just give a tap on the hydrostat pedal and it will usually go right in. Don't force it. Just a light pull or push and it will change gears. This is on of those deals that you want to just finese. Brian

 

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

Same issue with my L4330...same remedy everyone else suggested

 

[art]

When this happens while in four wheel drive it might be drivetrain wrap up that is causing some of the problem. It is important to have proper air pressure in the tires to keep this from happening.

An easy way to see if this might be the problem is to lift the front with the loader and see if the front tires spin. If so then adjust the tire pressure so that the front doesn't spin or spins very little. This also will make it easier to engage and disengage the four wheel drive.

 

[tallyho8]

When this happens while in four wheel drive it might be drivetrain wrap up that is causing some of the problem. It is important to have proper air pressure in the tires to keep this from happening.

An easy way to see if this might be the problem is to lift the front with the loader and see if the front tires spin. If so then adjust the tire pressure so that the front doesn't spin or spins very little. This also will make it easier to engage and disengage the four wheel drive.

I feel like a dummy for asking this question, but how can adding air to the front tires while they are raised with the fel make the front tires harder to spin?