Clutch-less Ford 545 (What do I have?)

[jfriman99]

I just bought a Ford 545 at an action. This is my first tractor. Therefore, I my ask stupid questions.
I'd like to know what year this is and what it has. For one, I do not see a clutch on this thing. I don't see anything where the clutch would attach to. I am able to put it into what appears to be first gear and it goes forward. I am also able o shift into reverse which also works. It is a bit hard to shift. I am unable to go into any other gears. So I a wondering how is this thing supposed to be driven.

The numbers that may help identify it are found on the left close to steering wheel.
It appears to be: U2762/D0311F/C2620959.

Then on the sides of the machine and on the engine block I see what appears to be the below:


18 4 79
D7NN-4024 A
N W L H - 2

D3NN 7006 G (might be C) 7 8K18

The diesel engine has HG2 8B13.

This is a FORD 545 and not 545A, B, C, or D. Just plain old 545. (at least that is what is painted on it)

Any info on this tractor would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[LD1]

The d0311f is the model code. I can't decipher it. Others may help. But there isnt any info I can find on model codes for tractors newer than 1975.

The 545 was made from sometime in the 70's until 1983. Tractor data.com is a good resource for basic info.

As to the trans. You have a power reversing torque convertor trans. Its basically a manual trans driven by a torque convertor instead of a clutch. You have 4 gears on the shifter. The reverser, which is usually by the steering wheel, will be the forward and reverse. It also has a neutral position. That's where you change gears. And only operate the reverser when stopped and at low rpm's. At least that's how the power reverser works on my 5500. I would think its the same.

 

[jfriman99]

Thanks so much for the info. At least I know what kind of transmission I have and that makes sense. I can operate the revers and froward with lever next to the steering wheel. However, I can't move into any gear with the gear shift lever. It just grinds if I try to shift. Moreover, if the tractor is turned off I can get it into a gear, but then it lock in that gear and will not start in gear ( I guess this is by design). I have to jiggle the wheels to get the lever out of gear. Am I doing something wrong or is this a transmission problem? I decide to change the transmission fluid and to my surprise I collected 10 gallons of hydraulic fluid from it. I had no idea there would be so much of it. Where is it all cumming from? More importantly what can I do about this gear shifting problem?

Thanks.

 

[jchriscloud]

Thanks so much for the info. At least I know what kind of transmission I have and that makes sense. I can operate the revers and froward with lever next to the steering wheel. However, I can't move into any gear with the gear shift lever. It just grinds if I try to shift. Moreover, if the tractor is turned off I can get it into a gear, but then it lock in that gear and will not start in gear ( I guess this is by design). I have to jiggle the wheels to get the lever out of gear. Am I doing something wrong or is this a transmission problem? I decide to change the transmission fluid and to my surprise I collected 10 gallons of hydraulic fluid from it. I had no idea there would be so much of it. Where is it all cumming from? More importantly what can I do about this gear shifting problem?

Thanks.

methinks you need to place the lever on the left in the center "neutral" position. Also, the shifter in neutral. start tractor, place shifter between your legs in whatever gear you wish, THEN place the lever to the left of the wheel in "forward" (or "reverse", if that's the desired direction )

 

[TractorTech]

You have a 545 with 4x4 power shuttle, no PTO, as represented by DD311F (2nd 0 is a D) in model code. You pretty well figured that, though. 8K18 on the transmission indicates it was built Oct. 18, 1978.
If you are operating it as jchriscloud said, but you are still getting grinding, then the seals are leaking in the forward and/or reverse clutches and this does not allow the transmission input shaft to stop spinning in neutral causing the gears to grind when engaging. This requires the tractor to be split at the engine/transmission and a rebuild of the shuttle.

 

[IH 766]

I know that this thread is old but these tractors were designed to shift on the go. You must have the shuttle lever in neutral before you select a gear and while changing gears while moving. The range selector can be shifted without the clutch disconnect but the shuttle must be in neutral while changing from low to high and vice versa while moving. It takes a while to get used to.