GC1705 Rear diff lock stuck in locked position

[Irod]

Like the title says, the diff local is stuck in the engaged position. I was moving dirt a few weeks back and used the diff lock for more traction and it worked like it’s supposed to. I took my foot off the diff lock pedal and picked up more dirt and noticed both rear wheels were spinning. I jacked the rear of the tractor up thinking there was a load or pressure keeping it in the engaged position. I was able to rotate the left wheel freely, and I could engage and disengage the diff lock with the foot pedal while rotating the wheel by hand. I thought I had it fixed so I let the tractor down and went back to work and noticed that I could still spin both wheels. I have adjusted/disconnected the cable and I still have the same problem. Any ideas?
Thanks, Rod

 

[dicktill]

Like the title says, the diff local is stuck in the engaged position. I was moving dirt a few weeks back and used the diff lock for more traction and it worked like it’s supposed to. I took my foot off the diff lock pedal and picked up more dirt and noticed both rear wheels were spinning. I jacked the rear of the tractor up thinking there was a load or pressure keeping it in the engaged position. I was able to rotate the left wheel freely, and I could engage and disengage the diff lock with the foot pedal while rotating the wheel by hand. I thought I had it fixed so I let the tractor down and went back to work and noticed that I could still spin both wheels. I have adjusted/disconnected the cable and I still have the same problem. Any ideas?
Thanks, Rod

Did you lose the return spring?

 

[Irod]

No, it’s still there.

 

[dicktill]

No, it’s still there.

I'd suggest that you disconnect both the spring and the cable and try the tractor with the lever in both engaged (forward I think) and disengaged position. If that makes no difference, perhaps something is busted inside like the shift fork.

 

[Irod]

I'd suggest that you disconnect both the spring and the cable and try the tractor with the lever in both engaged (forward I think) and disengaged position. If that makes no difference, perhaps something is busted inside like the shift fork.

That’s on my list for tomorrow, thanks.

 

[Dmacleo]

fwiw I had a cable with a 1 inch "bad" spot in it. lock would engage and, 90% of time, disengage when foot lifted off pedal.
just every now and then....would stick.
exterior of cable was unblemished, just the stuff you could not see was issue. cable itself was unraveling inside of the sheath. when I replaced cable I cut it and pulled stuff apart to see.
took forever to diagnose since it worked most of the time.

edit 11-2-24 @ 1310hrs: reminds me. earlier this year I did cable damage, easily visible. got to order new one. and I mean EASILY visible

 

[Irod]

Here’s a one-year update.
I took the tractor to the dealer last year thinking they would tear into the transmission. They called two days later saying the diff cable was misadjusted, and I could pick it up.

So, the bottom line is…
Sometimes the left wheel drives
Sometimes the right wheel drives
Sometimes both wheels drive

There isn’t any grinding or noise from the transmission.
And the diff lock works perfectly.
Rod