Ford 3910 won't go in gear

Jasperfield · Sep 11, 2011

Recently my 3910 does not want to go into gear when shifting from a forward gear to reverse, and vice versa. When I try to shift the gears don't want to mesh.

At other times it will shift just fine. It seems like the transmission isn't slowing down enough to allow the shift.

Is this a clutch problem? What do you suggest?

PoorPlowboy · Sep 12, 2011

Live PTO with dual stage clutch? If so, its likely out of adjustment and isn't completely disengaging the first stage. The linkage between the pedal and clutch actuator lever should have an adjustment link where you can extend the length of the linkage slightly to make the linkage longer, in effect.

Jasperfield · Sep 13, 2011

Mine is a 1988 model with an independant PTO. I was wondering if I needed to try to adjust the linkage, and now that you suggest it, I'm going to try that.

I don't know if the clutch is dual stage or not.

Thank you!

JD5210 · Sep 13, 2011

In looking at tractordata.com, it would appear that you have a live PTO and it is NOT a two stage clutch. How much free play do you have in the clutch and how much is recommended in the manual?

TractorData.com Ford 3910 tractor information

PoorPlowboy · Sep 13, 2011

With a live pto and a single stage clutch displaying the trouble mentioned in first post, I'm inclined to think that the pto is inadvertently engaged and its slow spin down is keeping the trans shaft turning. Make sure pto is disengaged!

Jasperfield · Sep 14, 2011

I'm not sure about the PTO being live or not. I can engage & disengage it without using the clutch, whether the tractor is moving or standing still.

The play on the clutch pedal is right at 1.25" like the book says.

However, your comment about the PTO slipping a little bit sounds about right.

I've had other things on my plate for a couple of days, but I'm going to try and adjust the clutch a little, here in the next day or so.

By the way, I changed my email address in the forum's contact information section and I believe if you try to send me a message I'll probably get it.

Thank you, all, for your help. If I can't figure it out I'll be back for more info.

Jasperfield

pacerron · Sep 14, 2011

Jasperfield said:
I'm not sure about the PTO being live or not. I can engage & disengage it without using the clutch, whether the tractor is moving or standing still.

The play on the clutch pedal is right at 1.25" like the book says.

However, your comment about the PTO slipping a little bit sounds about right.

I've had other things on my plate for a couple of days, but I'm going to try and adjust the clutch a little, here in the next day or so.

By the way, I changed my email address in the forum's contact information section and I believe if you try to send me a message I'll probably get it.

Thank you, all, for your help. If I can't figure it out I'll be back for more info.

Jasperfield

I have a Ford 3910 that I purchased new in 1989. I have put over 2800 hours on it. The transmission has 2 ranges and the shift from forward to reverse is in the middle, straight forward or straight back.
That action may be synchronized but none of the other gears are.
The power take off has a seperate lever, and is considered "live" in tractor language since it will remain engaged even when the transmission is in neutral.
There is a brake on the PTO shaft that is suppossed to stop the shaft rotation when you move the lever to the off detent. I noticed the brake didn't work most of the time after a few years. The dealer said that is usually caused by the operator turning off the PTO too many times without going to idle and waiting for the shaft to slow down if a bush hog or other mower is in use.I was guilty of that and don't do it anymore. I prefer that the brake doesn't work anyway since it is a pain to hook a shaft from an implement when the PTO shaft won't turn by hand. Newer tractors don't have a brake on the PTO, at least my CNH doesn't and I like it that way. I think the adjustment
on the PTO engagement lever might be to adjust the brake but I'm not sure.
I have the same problem in shifting from forward to reverse that you have most of the time. You can feel the teeth and hear them grate a little through the shift lever.
When I have the problem I just "double clutch" meaning have the clutch in when starting the shift, let it back out at neutral, then back in and complete the shift. My free play was correct, as yours was, the last time I checked it.
A great utility tractor.
If you find the answer to the problem please post it here and I may fix mine.
Hope this helps.
Ron