John Deere 4300 cannot get into reverse gear

[builderbob]

2001 John Deere 4300 with 4 wheel drive and manual transmission. Over the past year the shifter has had issues finding reverse....no slipping...just having trouble actually shifting into gear. Now it simply will not go into gear at all. Replaced mounting hardware at base of shifter as the original pin had been dislodged allowing for a lot of play in the shifter....which I think may have been the culprit. All 3 forward gears and ABC ranges work just fine. I adjusted the clutch pedal sleeve...but still does not work. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[dfkrug]

Hi, Rick. Got your PM.

If you have the SRT trans (synchro-reverser), then your reverse gear shifter, shaft, and
gears don't even exist in my 4300s, which were HST.

You are starting with the most likely problems (external linkage, levers, lube, etc.). But
you could have a bad synchronizer, or worn/broken fork. All internal.

You can see and access some of that from the top, after opening the 3-pt cyl cover.
You will need a manual, and even if you CAN see the problem from above, you will
prob have to split the tractor in order to pull shaft(s).

 

[RoyJackson]

As a followup to dfkrug's post...if you have the sync-reverser transmission, the first place to look is the linkage for the reverser lever. You'll need to pull the key panel and fuse door panel. You may have to pull the left cowl panel too.
The linkage consists of a number of straight pieces and two universal joints. The universal joints are pined with roll pins which, over the years, can back out....if one does, you won't be able to shift forward to reverse, or vice-versa. I went through this last summer, BTW, and I had a broken universal. It's a bit tight in there, but not an overly difficult job.