4WD engagement difficult

[Jethro]

I have a B1550 hsd. When I try to push the 4wd lever down to engage it usually will not go. I have to move the tractor some...try again. Often still does not work. I continue this process until it finally engages. On a rare occassion it will engage the first time, but never without a lot of force required. Any ideas what causes this?

As much as I hate to face the realitly of it, it sounds like something internal that will require quite a bit of work and time, and possibly more knowledge that I posess.

 

[Ken_CT]

I have the BX23 and often have to move forward or backwards a bit for the 4wd to engage. It often needs to be persuaded to engage. I don't think there is anything wrong. Just rock the HST pedal back and forth a little and it should go in.

Ken

 

[MOPAULY]

I have the BX23 and often have to move forward or backwards a bit for the 4wd to engage. It often needs to be persuaded to engage. I don't think there is anything wrong. Just rock the HST pedal back and forth a little and it should go in.

Ken

I agree...it's the nature of the beast. I've found you need to ensure the HST pedal is dead center and not applying foward or reverse movment on occasion.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Same here, sticky. I just leave in 4WD

 

[Rusty]

My B7500 HSD seems to engage into front wheel drive better while the tractor is moving. However, I just checked the Operator's Manual, and it says, "Use the lever to engage the front wheels with the tractor stopped." and "IMPORTANT: Depress the clutch pedal before engaging the front wheel drive lever." Whoops, I don't remember reading that before.

 

[tawilson]

Try using the loader to lift the front wheels off the ground.

 

[B2400]

My 1994 B7100 was difficult to engage the FWD and I found that it was just the detent ball on the engagement lever. Liberal dose of WD40 to the lever/ transmission area did the trick.

 

[reupop]

I have the same problem with my 7610. Was advised by the dealer to turn the steering wheel to relieve the pressure on the hyd. unit. This is to relieve back pressure. It seems to work.
Reupop

 

[ccsial]

The 4WD is not syncromesh so the gears have to be aligned just right to go in. I creep very slowly and press on the lever until in engages. My L3400 and Ford 1910 are about the same in this respect.

 

[Jethro]

Well...I can't tell you how much better I feel now. Thanks everyone.

 

[texasjohn]

I had the same problem with my 4wd 'bota 5030. Then I read the manual... it says to be stopped, gently press the lever to go into/out of 4wd, continue pressing while rotating the front wheels from stop to stop... right then left. Somewhere along the line it slips like a knife thru hot butter into gear. Of course, clutch is depressed during whole process.

That's what works for me.

 

[ByronBob]

I even have this problem the transmission in neutral. I told the wife a few times. If it doesn't engage easily to rock the pedal a bit to get it engages. Same thing with the 4wd.

Love HST just the same even if this is what it takes.

 

[N80]

The manual on my L4400 also says to turn the front wheels a little with the steering wheel. Works like a charm.

 

[SPYDERLK]

My B7500 HSD seems to engage into front wheel drive better while the tractor is moving. However, I just checked the Operator's Manual, and it says, "Use the lever to engage the front wheels with the tractor stopped." and "IMPORTANT: Depress the clutch pedal before engaging the front wheel drive lever." Whoops, I don't remember reading that before.

I engage and disengage 4wd on my BX1500 anytime I want while moving - - which is about 96.014% of the times. The only time I would even think of worrying about it is when moving briskly while turning. The system is working perfectly at 1000+ Hrs. I tend to test things out by feel and make my own decisions on some of the admonitions in operators manuals. Some of them are plain silly. Engaging stationary will sometimes butt gearteeth head on and it wont go in.
Larry

 

[N80]

I can shift mine while moving too and the manual only says not to do so if driving at higher speeds. But the point of the original post is that his tractor is hard to engage in 4wd. Are you suggesting that the solution is to do it while moving?

 

[Jethro]

Thank you for all of your posts. N80 makes a point that I should probably clarify.

It has indeed be hard for me to shift into 4wd, but I have been doing so while stationary and have not tried turning the steering wheel. My assumption is that these remedies will help. It appears that I have been doing this wrong all along. I have never had an owners manual, so I have been learning by trial and error...and TBN.

Thanks again for your help. I will post my finidngs when I get some more seat time this weekend.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I can shift mine while moving too and the manual only says not to do so if driving at higher speeds. But the point of the original post is that his tractor is hard to engage in 4wd. Are you suggesting that the solution is to do it while moving?

Yes. I just went out and checked mine. It is difficult/impossible to get in 4wd sometimes when it is sitting still. It had been so long since I developed whatever procedure I use that I had forgotten about it. Thinking about it my Mahindra and larger Kubota seem to usually go right in sitting still. - - Whatever- I just do what works. The feedback from the levers has remained compatible with my concept of what is going on so I dont get worried.
Larry

 

[rdsaustintx]

I have the BX23 and often have to move forward or backwards a bit for the 4wd to engage. It often needs to be persuaded to engage. I don't think there is anything wrong. Just rock the HST pedal back and forth a little and it should go in.

Ditto.