1992 Ford 3930 shifting problems

[benny70hemibird]

Hi all. I have a '92 3930 with 1350 hours. It has developed a problem that is getting worse and I'd like to ask you'all for a tip or two. The clutch works great and it's still strong, no slips, no erratic operation, etc. My trouble is this: When you push the clutch in to put the tractor into reverse or if you were in reverse and want to shift into 1-2-3-4 or just whatever gear, the trans grinds badly and the tractor will not let you shift, period, no way it's going into gear unless you shut it off, place it into whatever gear you want, start it and then try to get the low/high range shift to go into gear, which it will, while grinding and then the tractor lurchs forward. This is getting to be a problem. I have about 1-2" of pedal free play, the clutch lets out great and it will stall the tractor without slipping, but I cannot get that dude to go into gear. It's the original clutch and the tractor has not been used for anything but pulling a 6' bushog. Any ideas's and thanks!

 

[whodat526]

sounds like the clutch is stuck

 

[dapper]

Benny,
I hear ya. I have a 3430 that is doing the same thing. If you're at a dead stop, and have both the gear shift and the range lever in neutral, I have trouble putting it in any gear, or either range, without grinding. Sometimes it seems to work ok, but others I just have to kind of jam it into gear. Thought might be thick cold oil, but changed with fresh new, and no help. For WHO: I thought the clutch or thro-out need adjusting, but this isn't it, or dosnt' seem to be anyway. Tried adjustment and no help. I don't believe the clutch is sticking, and it seems to be working just fine after in gear, starting and stopping tractor with no issues ether direction. Once you get it in gear with the clutch depressed, it doesn't want to pull or have any torque on the gears that I can feel any way. At least on mine anyway. It is a 3430, with 2500 hr on it if it helps. I sure hope I am wrong, and will wait to see where this thread goes. I hope to learn something, and I usually do.

 

[benny70hemibird]

Wow, have you been driving mine, too?? They must be twins. I don't know what the heck to do about this thing. I thought about tearing into it and replacing what ever is broken, but that's just the question.......is it broken or just the nature of the beast? Either way, it has really soured me on this 3930 and I have been a Ford driven/lover since childhood. I hope that somebody can offer us a repair procedure. I really appreciate you and the reply. God bless

 

[crankshaft21]

I think it is like who wrote, that the clutch plate is sticking to the pressure plate. There should be a inspection port on the bell housing, have someone press the clutch pedel and look in through the inspect port and see if it is stuck. Sometime you can use a long screw driver to separate the clutch from the pressure plate.

 

[benny70hemibird]

Consider it done! Thank you for that suggestion. I never even thought of that.

 

[Jbrink64]

I will assume it has the 8X8 syncro trans, that's the common one for a -30 series.

If it's not the clutch dragging, then probably the PTO input shaft is binding on the trans input shaft.

There is a lube pump on these transmissions, and a suction filter that needs to be serviced periodically.

 

[benny70hemibird]

Thanks. Where is this filter located? I'll go get one and see if this helps it.

 

[Jbrink64]

you have to drain the trans, remove the FWD driveshaft and guard (if equiped).

It looks like a small cover with 4 bolts retaining it on the bottom of the trans housing.

 

[benny70hemibird]

Ok, thank you. That looks like my job for tomorrow. I appreciate you'all for the help very much.