JD 4300 HST suddenly skidded to a stop

[AzChopp3r]

Something happened today that has me worried. I had unloaded the tractor and was about a mile down a dirt road clipping along probably around 12 mph when the tractor suddenly locked up and skidded to an immediate stop. It was so abrupt that I thought i ran into a stump or something and there was a clank when it happened. . There was nothing to be found anywhere, the road was clear except for the marks the tires made which were about a foot and a half long. Seemed the front tires dug in more but also you can tell the rear skidded too. It was a nice sunny day here in AZ and about 65 degrees and dry. I had the loader bucket curled up and about level with the hood. I also had the box blade attached and it was fully up. I was in third gear (HST) and was just cruising along when it happened. After it stopped it felt like i was hung up for a second. I backed up a few feet and then forward when I stopped to get out and take a look. Only thing I can think of was something caused the tractor transmission to bind up. Definitely not a brake. Also i was in 4wd. Any thoughts?

 

[dfkrug]

My guess is something broke off inside the gearbox and got jambed in the gears. Going
in reverse freed it up. MFWD is directly linked thru a shaft to the gearbox.

In both of my 4300s, there was breakage in the PTO clutch/brake system. Those
parts are just above a bunch of gears.

If you are inclined, open up the rear PTO cover and clean out the sump. You may
find parts in there. I sure did.

 

[Egon]

Were you using cruise control"

 

[MF283]

Why 4WD just cruising on a road?

 

[AzChopp3r]

dfkrug my machine has 1100 hours on it and about a month ago I performed a hydraulic service and engine service on it. I dumped hyd fluid, replaced filter and cleaned suction screen. Everything looked good. not sure why the PTO would start coming apart inside but I did mow an acre the previous day without any problem.

Egon, no I was not. I did check that a few minutes later as that dawned on me too. Switch was off.

MF283 because I was

 

[rekees4300]

Also i was in 4wd. Any thoughts?

With tractors you never know what is going to happen unexpectedly. Safety is job one at all times. Probably not a good idea to use 4WD on pavement at high speed. I only use it on hills, in slippery conditions, or when extra pull is needed.

Here is a related thread with similar problem: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/343206-jd-4300-hits-brick-wall.html?highlight=4300

 

[dfkrug]

Probably not a good idea to use 4WD on pavement at high speed.

I agree with that, and I am very often switching my 4WD on and off. MFWD hates pavement. I have
no problem with being in 4WD all the time if I am always on dirt. That's what I advise everyone around
here, where the hills are steep and plentiful. The front wheel road speed in MFWD is faster than the
rear, known as the lead ratio.

I did not see that other thread from last year, but it does seem that something broke off inside the
trans. The rear hatch makes the sump very accessible on these JDs.

I just completed a rebuild on a Honda Goldwing engine, and they have a port in the block just for this purpose.
Nice.

 

[jenkinsph]

You may have wiped out the front axle operating in 4wd. But, hope for it to be something simple and easy to fix.

 

[super55]

Is the tractor still locked up or was this an intermittent thing that just happened once and now its working again?

 

[Gator6x4]

Since you have the loader on, start the tractor and put it in four wheel, raise the front tires off the surface, turn the tractor off and then try and turn the front wheels forward and rearward, will they turn, if no remove from four wheel drive and see if you can turn the front wheels if yes do you hear any noise coming from the differential. Also have you recently replaced the front tires with a different size than original. Mounting Tires on Four Wheel Drive Tractors