Deere 4300 stuck in gear

[HorseCrazy]

Well, just a day or two after registering here to express my gratitude for learning about the thermistor problem, I have a new problem. Story of my life.

My Deere 4300 (with manual transmission) is stuck in 1st gear. The 1-2-3-R shift lever won't budge. The A-B-C lever moves freely.

I searched online and found a few people talking about taking the top off the gearbox and aligning the gears, or moving them a bit with a screwdriver. Not sure if this is the best course of action. Also . . . I'm not even sure what gearbox is, or how hard it is to open. (Yes, I am an idiot with mechanical stuff, but I'm trying to learn.)

Thanks for any advice!

 

[RoyJackson]

Before you go tinkering with something you know nothing about, get some lubricant (I recommend Fluid Film) on the shifting lever where it enters the transmission case.

 

[HorseCrazy]

Thanks -- will do.

 

[dwost]

Have you tried driving it around in the "stuck" gear to try and loosen it up? Try shifting it into neutral while its moving. Also have you checked all the fluids to ensure its getting proper lubrication? If you know nothing about transmissions and are not mechanically inclined the last thing I'd do is crack the case. Not insulting just don't want to see you end up with a larger headache. Take it to a dealer or have someone with some knowledge in this area give you a hand. You may end up with a larger issue on your hands.

 

[HorseCrazy]

Yes, I've driven it around in the stuck gear, and no luck getting it to neutral. But I'll try to lubricate it tomorrow AM and see if that helps.

All fluid levels are good.

Thanks for the warning not to mess w/ the gearbox. I wasn't sure if it was an easy access thing or not. Some of the posts I read online made it sound simple, though they were for other tractors.

I don't want to get in over my head, or cause worse damage. But I do like to try to learn to do as much as I can on this tractor. I'm a slow student, but with each problem, I come out a little wiser. . . .

 

[beenthere]

What operation were you doing that led up to the problem? Any recall? Must have been some heavy work to be in low gear - maybe?

In and out of 4wd? Is it in 4wd (front wheel assist) now?

Any noises associated with the operation just before getting stuck in low?

Do you have a dealer handy?

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Yes, I've driven it around in the stuck gear, and no luck getting it to neutral. But I'll try to lubricate it tomorrow AM and see if that helps.

All fluid levels are good.

Thanks for the warning not to mess w/ the gearbox. I wasn't sure if it was an easy access thing or not. Some of the posts I read online made it sound simple, though they were for other tractors.

I don't want to get in over my head, or cause worse damage. But I do like to try to learn to do as much as I can on this tractor. I'm a slow student, but with each problem, I come out a little wiser. . . .

I have a 01 Sync Reverser 4300, and I have the CD service manual!

If I can be any help at all by posting anything from the ''service manual''... Then just let me know!... I'll be glad to help!

I've never had that problem... But I would do what Roy said, and put some Fluid Film on the shifting lever... I sprayed mine, and it's smooth to change gears!

.

 

[HorseCrazy]

When the gear got stuck, I was alternately snowblowing in reverse, then going forward using the FEL to scrape up snow in the area around our barn. In 4WD all the time.

The moment of getting stuck was when I ran forward in close parallel to a fenceline, got too close and had to back away, and all of a sudden couldn't go into reverse. As usual -- problem strikes in very inconvenient place. I had to hitch up our Suburban to tow the tractor back a ways, then I could start the tractor up and drive it forward.

No noises or anything strange up to the moment. There's no dealer within an hour of me, but there is a good local mechanic who will make tractor housecalls. He's my fallback plan.

For as long as I've owned it (about 4 years) the gears tend to grind slightly before shifting into gear when I first start up cold. But after running, it shifts smoothly, so I never thought much about it. But maybe it was developing a clutch plate problem?

Thanks for the offer of help from the service manual. I should get one of those. Nowadays with website operation being cheap and easy, JD should provide it online for free, but I somehow doubt that will happen.

 

[Tx Jim]

Before removing trans top try jacking up one rear wheel and rocking raised tire while trying to move gear shift lever.

 

[HorseCrazy]

Well, no luck so far. I lubed the gear shifter where it goes into the transmission. I jacked up the left rear wheel and rocked it back and forth while trying to shift. No luck. Shift lever still won't budge.

I'll give my mechanic friend a call in a day or two. If anyone has any other ideas, let me know.

Just gotta get it fixed, one way or the other, before the next big snowstorm hits. (I live in the Catskill Mountains in upstate NY.)

Many thanks.