John Deere 301A Reverser issue

[gbward3]

I'm new to the forum and have a tractor issue that has stumped me.

Last week I was using my tractor and noticed that it would go forward but would loose forward motion under load while climbing hills, pushing dirt etc. It had full power in reverse. I got an oil gauge and checked the reverser pressure. With tractor in park, I had 150 lbs in neutral, 150 lbs in reverse, 25 lbs in forward. So I figured I had a bad seal in the forward clutch pack of the reverser. I broke the tractor in two, pulled the forward clutch pack, put in new seals, and rings, put it back together and now...

I have 150lb in neutral, 150lbs in forward... when I shift the reverser to reverse the engine loads down and stops. Mind you the tractor is in PARK. If I put the tractor in a forward gear instead of park and move the reverser lever I get the following: shift to forward I go forward, shift to neutral I for FORWARD, shift to REVERSE I go FORWARD.

So I thought maybe I did something wrong with the clutch pack and it was frozen up, so I broke the tractor apart again. Leaving the forward clutch pack in place I can still turn it by hand with the tractor in PARK, put the tractor in gear and I can still turn it with a little more resistance, so I am assuming the clutch pack is not frozen up like I was afraid of. If I engage the PTO and turn the clutch pack the PTO will turn.

I have the Tech Manual and it shows a Reverser Brake Assembly that I am assuming is in the housing between the forward clutch pack and the transmission, could it be that part?? Any help would be appreciated, I am lost. The reverser is over my head, I'm used to tractors that you just shift forward and reverse. Thanks

 

[Tx Jim]

Did you disassemble reverser control valve?

 

[gbward3]

Did you disassemble reverser control valve?

No, I did not disassemble the control valve. I'm at a loss as to what part would cause these symptoms. Thank you for your reply.

 

[Tx Jim]

It sounds as if the seal between reverse & forward clutches or control valve is bad

 

[gbward3]

It sounds as if the seal between reverse & forward clutches or control valve is bad

I pulled the control valve off and disassembled it. I didn't find anything obvious other than the input shifter shaft is bent (#5 in the lower parts diagram) but it was shifting it to each detent for forward, neutral and reverse so I don't know if that was a factor. Do you know where I would find the seal between the reverse and forward clutch? Is it in the control valve? The only thing I see is the valve (#14 in hydraulic flow diagram) that shifts oil from forward to reverse. The bent shaft controls #14. In the tech manual I see a "forward clutch pack" and a "Reverse Brake Assembly". I assume the "Reverse Brake Assembly" is the reverse clutch, it looks like one in the diagram. Thank you for your help, I'm having trouble understanding what is causing the problem.

 

[Tx Jim]

Maybe I didn't use the correct terminology when I stated "seal between reverse & forward clutches" but there should be no pressure when control valve is neutral. My knowledge of industrial tractors is very limited as I was employed by an "ag only" JD dealer.

 

[gbward3]

Maybe I didn't use the correct terminology when I stated "seal between reverse & forward clutches" but there should be no pressure when control valve is neutral. My knowledge of industrial tractors is very limited as I was employed by an "ag only" JD dealer.

Your knowledge is definitely greater than mine. I have ordered the gaskets to put the control box back on and repair the bent shaft, I guess I will get that put back together and see how she does, if that doesn't do it I guess I will have to look at the reverse clutch. I was trying to avoid opening that housing if possible. Thank you very much for your help, I will let you know how it goes.

 

[ucsport08]

Your knowledge is definitely greater than mine. I have ordered the gaskets to put the control box back on and repair the bent shaft, I guess I will get that put back together and see how she does, if that doesn't do it I guess I will have to look at the reverse clutch. I was trying to avoid opening that housing if possible. Thank you very much for your help, I will let you know how it goes.

Were you able to remedy your problem? I have an issue with my 301A's reverser and I am not able to go forward or backwards. Hoping that your solution will fix my problem also.

Thank you,

Chris

 

[Tx Jim]

Were you able to remedy your problem? I have an issue with my 301A's reverser and I am not able to go forward or backwards. Hoping that your solution will fix my problem also.

Thank you,

Chris

Does your tractor have a pto? It's possible that your tractors damper clutch is slipping.

 

[ucsport08]

Does your tractor have a pto? It's possible that your tractors damper clutch is slipping.

Yes it has a PTO. The PTO works fine and so does the 3 point hitch and loader arms/bucket. It just will not move forward or backwards. I took apart the Reverser Clutch Control Valve and everything looks okay to me. I'll have to look into the damper clutch.

 

[Tx Jim]

If pto operates correctly then damper clutch is not at fault. I'd suggest to check reverser linkage as the linkage has a history of groove pin failure.

 

[ucsport08]

If pto operates correctly then damper clutch is not at fault. I'd suggest to check reverser linkage as the linkage has a history of groove pin failure.

Jim, thank you again for the response. The reverser linkage was the first thing I checked and was banking on that being the issue. When I took off the front and back covers of the valve housing I could see that the linkage was intact and moved the clutch control valve smoothly. Unfortunately, I didn't check forward and reverse pressure before I took it apart, so I think that might be the next step I need to do.

 

[Tx Jim]

Yes a pressure check is needed.

 

[Nawmi]

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[ucsport08]

Yes a pressure check is needed.

Jim, what type of pressure gage would you recommend? Do you know what size fitting it would need? The bolt has the specs of:
Specification
Weight: 0.02 LBS 0.01 Kg
Thread Size 0.375 IN
TPI (Threads Per Inch) 24
Thread Length 0.360 IN
Length 0.530 IN
Diameter 0.127 IN
Hex Size 0.500 IN
Material 1020
Finish B
Note

 

[Tx Jim]

300 psi gauge fitting would be 3/8'' 24 threads per inch

 

[ucsport08]

Jim I am having a heck of a time finding a fitting that small at the places where I live. Do you know where I can find the right adaptor or fitting?

 

[Tx Jim]

A good competent hyd supply place such as Surplus Center or Bailey's hyd should have the fitting.

 

[ucsport08]

A good competent hyd supply place such as Surplus Center or Bailey's hyd should have the fitting.

Well Jim I've struck out again. Called Surplus Center and they don't carry anything that small. After looking into it more I need something that is 3/16 NPT Male, which would be a 3/8-24 thread. Bailey's didn't have anything this small either. I wanted to double check I am trying to measure the pressure in the correct place. I am assuming it is #11 in the picture attached.

 

[Tx Jim]

I've never seen a NPT fitting that required an o-ring as shown in parts catalog because the threads on NPT are tapered. I think fitting needs to be orb(o-ring boss)