Cant shift into low range

winniedog · Sep 17, 2014

L3010 HST I have no trouble shifting from mid range to hight range and back but can't get into low. It feels like the linkage may be jammed.
Anyone been through this?
Thanks for any help you can give me.

George2615 · Sep 17, 2014

Is your tractor in 4WD. If so put it in 2WD then try low range. Some tractors may cause binding or hard to get in low range when in 4WD. Not sure if this is your problem but worth a shot.

winniedog · Sep 17, 2014

Yes it is in 4wd.
I'll give that a try. I'm a newbie to tractors. I leave it in 4wd all the time.
Is that ok? Thanks for your help.

handymantim · Sep 17, 2014

With just a little pressure on the shifter into low range, very lightly tap on the FWD/REV pedal. It might help the gears sync.

George2615 · Sep 17, 2014

Leaving in 4WD all the time is fine on soft ground (dirt, stone, gravel, grass, mud, etc) but not too good on hard surface like blacktop or concrete. Front and rear gear ratios are not exact and can cause binding. I believe the F to R gear ratio tolerance can be up to 5% different.

David Devuono · Sep 17, 2014

It says HST. Thats for Hydrostatic drive. Not the same as gear binding with a Gear drive transmission. With Kubota, at least mine, you have to pump the brake pedal and clutch pedal alternately at times to get it to shift. Do not force it.

David Devuono · Sep 17, 2014

Like the others have said, do not drive in 4x4 if you have a concrete or paved driveway. Otherwise I never take my Kubotas out of 4x4 unless I am on the road in top gear.

George2615 · Sep 17, 2014

David Devuono said:
It says HST. Thats for Hydrostatic drive. Not the same as gear binding with a Gear drive transmission. With Kubota, at least mine, you have to pump the brake pedal and clutch pedal alternately at times to get it to shift. Do not force it.

I had the same problem on my Mahindra 2615HST. There were times when in 4WD low range that I couldn't shift out of low range. Had to take it out of 4wd then rock it forward and back with the HST pedal while applying pressure on the range selector to get it out. The tractor was on a gravel driveway but it was hard packed crusher run just like concrete. Also had to make sure the front wheels were straight.

JRobyn · Sep 18, 2014

I have read on here that many Kubota HSTs are difficult to change ranges on; mine has been since new, now with about 400hrs. My technique is to shift (when possible) when the tractor is moving slightly. Else, like others have said, rock the HST pedal slightly or clutch/unclutch a few times. I think that the basic problem is that the range gears are straight cut and have no synchronizer rings, so range shifting will always be a little touchy.

- Jay

RedNeckRacin · Sep 19, 2014

Also, look underneath the floor board to make sure your linkage isn't bent. Mine buckled at some point and it was extremely difficult to shift. Straightened the linkage out and it greatly helped things out. Like others said, bump the FWD/REV peddle a little bit.

winniedog · Sep 19, 2014

Thanks for all the great advise everyone. I'll try it out tomorow.

AStanton · Sep 19, 2014

I think when the tractor is new, things are a little stiff. On my B3030, I found easier to switch ranges after hitting neutral first.

winniedog · Sep 20, 2014

Well I put it in 2wd and still no luck.
I'll look at linkage next.

oldpilgrim · Sep 20, 2014

When I got my new Mahindra a few months ago I had the same problem. I found that if I pressed the fwd then the rev pedal while on a flat surface, clutch it a couple of times, it would eventually go into gear. As the hours added up, the problem lessened and now is nearly gone. It seemed to be just tight tolerances in mine, maybe yours as well.

good luck

oosik · Sep 20, 2014

When my tractor was new - the range shift was stiff. Now I have a few hours on it the shift is a lot smoother.

Rocky Hoffler · Sep 21, 2014

I agree on not running 4wd on hard surface but if I am mowing pasture where extra traction is not needed I don't use 4wd to me its less wear and better fuel mileage.

Herkypilot · Sep 27, 2014

Rocky Hoffler said:
I agree on not running 4wd on hard surface but if I am mowing pasture where extra traction is not needed I don't use 4wd to me its less wear and better fuel mileage.

I agree with Rocky - when not needed, I take it out of 4x4.

HP

radioman · Sep 27, 2014

something is not right. On my bx, it might have trouble shifting h to l when I first had it , thats because I didnt know any better with HST. I was thinking like a car stick shift, clutch, then shift. or automatic -- stop completely and shift . With HST gearing, I learned its more of shifting the right moment without the clutch. I have gotten to the point where I dont think about it anymore.

Best advice I can give you is, be out of 4wd on grass. front wheels straight. hand on the h/l shift and hold it slightly in direction you want to shift and move tractor forward slowly and wait till it moves. DONT FORCE it!. all it takes is a slight pressure on handle, but before the binding feel. if this doesnt work -- take a look at this thread:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/38039-cannot-shift-l3010-hst-into.html