Hard to shift range on HST

   / Hard to shift range on HST #1  

centex

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2002
Messages
431
Location
Lampasas, Texas
Tractor
JD 4700
Most of the time it is very hard to shift the HST range and disconnect the 4WD on my 4700. Other times it is easy. Is this normal for JD tractors?
 
   / Hard to shift range on HST #2  
Don,

1. When you are shifting your range selector and it doesn't immediately go into gear easily, just touch your forward pedal very slightly while selecting your range. This works nicely on my 4100.

2. I suspect you are turning or have just barely completed a turn, or you are on a dry hard surface when trying to disconnect from 4WD. Make sure you have straightened out for a few feet, and/or try to disconnect before going on a road or other hard packed surface. It's related to what they tell you in the owner's manual about where to use and not to use 4WD. See if this helps.

<font color=green>Duane</font color=green>
 
   / Hard to shift range on HST #3  
Shifting in/out on a grade you may find it hard also.
 
   / Hard to shift range on HST #4  
If I encounter resistance getting out of 4wd, I just lift the front wheels off the ground with the loader. Works every time, if you have a loader.
 
   / Hard to shift range on HST
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Duane, thanks. I find that I can do as you say and usually shift ranges eventually and by varying speed and I can get out of 4WD. Unfortunately where I use the tractor I have to use the 4wd to negotiate steep unpaved hills that come out on asphalt so I cannot disengage the 4WD until I get off the steep slope and onto a less steep but hard surface. BTW, I am retired from IBM also and was in the Navy ( USS Robert E. Lee SS(B)N 601.)

Thomas, I am sure you are correct about slopes being a problem but I have few places that are flat and I usually need to shift ranges because it just got steeper or less steep.

Brant, I'll try that the next time. I need to go into an out of 4wd so often though that I will really slow me down. I moved 24 tons of road base today from the top of a hill to try to straighten out some slopes so I can use a 2wd car on them. I'd say I had to shift ranges and in and out of 4wd a few hundred times.
 
   / Hard to shift range on HST #6  
Don,

Another way to get out of 4WD is to back up a foot or so with the front wheels straight. This "unwinds” the transmission. It works well with my TC29D. It is something I learned a hundred years ago when I had my CJ5.
 
   / Hard to shift range on HST
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Thanks for the advice. I think I can conclude that what I am seeing is normal and not something wrong with my tractor as I thought. I find that I can disengage it if I stop the tractor and push the 4wd control as I start moving.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

197390 (A50459)
197390 (A50459)
2016 Ford Fusion Sedan (A50324)
2016 Ford Fusion...
2015 Freightliner Ambulance (A50323)
2015 Freightliner...
150 GALLON FUEL TANK (A51244)
150 GALLON FUEL...
2016 Ottawa Yard Spotter Truck - Cummins Diesel, Allison Auto, Hydraulic Air Fifth Wheel, 33,000 ... (A52128)
2016 Ottawa Yard...
2021 CATERPILLAR 299D3 XE SKID STEER (A51242)
2021 CATERPILLAR...
 
Top