John Deere 4500 Clutch Issues

[kc5rui]

Evening folks, first time poster here.
Was out mowing in the heat of the day today (101 degrees), when shifting into reverse the gears just grind. Had to disengage the PTO and drop the RPMs just to get it into gear. Checked it later after it cooled off and the problem still exists in all gears, putting it in gear at high RPMs is impossible.

The tractor has 500hrs and is well maintained and never abused.

Is there some adjustment somewhere that i am missing other than the clevis at the clutch pedal, or is this a dealer repair.

 

[Ken]

I have A J.D. 4520 No problems with clutch or gears in shifting while using the Bush hog. could there be a stick or brush caught in linkage?
Did this just start or lingering problem. at 500 hours a good chance still in warrenty at dealership. I did have a switch near the clutch linkage under the floor pan on clutch housing that failed when new and caused engine to not start. no problems if running.
This tractor uses standred dry clutch. power shift or Hydrolic.
ken

 

[kc5rui]

It seems to me that the more stopping, going, forward, reverse, gear switching, blah blah, the more tempormental the clutch is.

I unhooked the bush hog and put the finish mower on and kept it in one gear, with the occasional reversing, and all seems to be fine. There is still a little hangup when trying to get it out of gear, but it goes into gear ok.

Does this sound right?

 

[kc5rui]

Ok, here is a video I uploaded of the problem I am having.
Everything is internal and no sticks are stuck where they dont belong.

YouTube - John Deere 4500 Clutch not disengaging

 

[John_in_TN]

This is a long shot, but have you checked the transmission fluid level?
I had a new 4200 (in 1999) that shifted fine when cool, but would act just like you describe when hot. Turned out it had too much oil in the transmission. Drained the oil down to the correct level and never had any more shifting problems with it (I traded it in 2007). Good luck!

 

[John_in_TN]

A bit of clarification to my previous post (I waited too long to edit it): The oil level should be in the center of the sight glass or slightly below center. Mine was only about 3/4ths of the way up in the glass but was nearly impossible to shift when hot or when the tractor was in a steep nose-down position.

 

[kc5rui]

John in TN, the tranny/hydr fluid is in the lower crosshatch on the dip stick, that could be the problem.
I went to the JD dealer and bought $137 worth of filters and fluids. since im at the 500 hour mark, everything is due to be changed out.

Does anyone know where the transmission filter is located on the 4500?

 

[semi_farmer]

This is for a HST. Under the tractor is a cavity that you can see the shaft to run the front MFWD. In that cavity is the filter about 3 inches around and 6 inches long. Enjoy

 

[kc5rui]

Changing out the transmission fluid and filter didnt help, still the same issues.

 

[thingfisher]

to me it sounds like something it stuck or u need to adjust ur clutch see if there is a inspection plate on the side of the bell housing and look in there and see just whats going on

 

[dcyrilc]

I would imagine he has it fixed by now as his last post was June of last year.

 

[thingfisher]

I would imagine he has it fixed by now as his last post was June of last year.

ya i seen the date after i posted was like hmm oh well

 

[dcyrilc]

ya i seen the date after i posted was like hmm oh well

Unfortunately, not everyone lets us know how things work out.

BTW, Welcome to TBN.

 

[kc5rui]

Its not fixed, it is still sticking. I just deal with it.
I will post if I do find a fix.

 

[brim0628]

I know this thread is old as dirt but I am having a similar problem with my JD 4500. Only my issue is worse because it doesn't matter if mine is at idle or full throttle, it will not got into gear. I've tried adjusting the clutch with no luck. I've read that it is possible for the clutch to rust to the flywheel? It had only been a week or so since I'd ran the tractor. Anywho, I dropped it off at the mechanic this mornin but I happened upon this old thread and thought I'd see if there was ever a resolution? Thanks for any help