L5450 HDT-W Broke Shuttle Shift Linkage Rod

[PokyMike]

I've spent quite a bit of time looking through the Kubota Owning/Operating Forum but haven't found anything that matches my problem. It was time well spent however because I learned a lot. Now if I can just remember what I read or were I read it.

My tractor is a Kubota L5450 HDT-W, with Hydraulic Shuttle, Ever Clutch , LA1150A FEL and 565 hours which I bought about 18 months ago when it had 460 hours.

The shuttle shift lever has intermittently been difficult to shift in the past. Seems like it will get hard to shift and I have to put more force on the lever to move the shift lever in order to move from forward to neutral to reverse or the opposite sequence. The problem would occur and I would apply the force necessary to get it to move, working the shifter through the three positions.

I've tried shifting with different combinations of having the foot clutch depressed, the 4-speed transmission in neutral, the Hi-Low range in neutral and with the tractor moving or standing still. I couldn't ever seem to figure out way the shuttle sifter would suddenly get difficult to shift.

I finally broke a shift linkage rod by using too much force and am now in the process of figuring out why the Shift Lever on top of the Shuttle & Clutch valve requires so much force to move.

I removed the left fender and left step to expose the top of the Shuttle and Clutch Valve because I suspected that the spring loaded ball in the shift lever on top of the valve wasn't moving freely over the three detents in the Selector Cover. I haven't removed the Shift Lever because I wanted to check to see if I might be creating more problems by doing so. The WSM shows the procedure to remove the entire Shuttle & Clutch Valve but doesn't really indicate whether I can just remove the Shift Lever on top without removing the front and back covers on the Valve.

Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone have any suggestions on what the real problem may be and how to approach fixing it?

I've attached a photo I took of the top of the Shuttle and Clutch Valve showing the Shift Lever and detents in the top of the Selector Cover. I also see that the linkage rod connecting to the link ball on the Shift Lever is slightly bent as shown in the picture.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

Mike

 

[TomSeller]

The detents in the valve assembly look awful dry, does the manual say to lubricate them?

 

[TedLaRue]

I have two thoughts:
1) Maybe the ball has worn to an odd shape, and when it is randomly oriented a certain way makes it difficult to shift.
2) Crud has gotten past the ball and up into the spring area, making it difficult to compress the spring (but I don't think that would be an intermittent problem).

Try unscrewing that hex plug and examining the spring and ball.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I have had similar problem on other kubota's that have the exposed ball and spring. Lube it up and replace the rod it will be fine.

 

[PokyMike]

I haven't found anywhere in the Operator's Manual or the Work Shop Manual where it indicates that the spring and ball or detents should be lubricated. I had considered that and then thought better of it.

The top of the hex shaped cylinder that holds the spring and ball is immediately under the left floor board. Maybe a dry graphite lubricant, but I think a wet lubricant would just attract and hold dust worsening the problem.

I think the hex cylinder is welded to and is an integral part of the Selector Cover.

I guess I’m thinking I need to remove the Selector Cover and inspect the spring and ball to see if there are problems there as suggested by TedLaRue. I just want to make sure I can remove that cover without creating more problems for myself.

Thanks for the suggestions. Maybe someone else has actually had this problem and fixed it.

 

[PokyMike]

It looks like I ought to be able to tap the spring pin (Part 290) out which holds the Shift lever (Part 260) to the Selector (Part 230) and lift off the Shift Lever to expose the ball and spring. Can I without screwing some setting, alignment or tolerance up?

 

[TedLaRue]

Drive out the "roll pin". That should allow you to remove the whole affair and see the spring and ball. I don't have experience with your machine, but I'm quite certain you won't screw up any setting or alignment by doing this. Go for it. I still think you'll find that the ball has been worn to a non-spherical shape.

If you do indeed need to replace the ball, measure the original diameter as best you can and then search online. "Bearings Incorporated" has a local outlet here and has saved me a lot of money several times with various bearings.

 

[rbargeron]

I think you're on the right track - take out the roll pin and lift off the detent. The pin may be a little stuck with paint but you won't hurt anything by tapping it with a hammer and a drift that's slightly smaller than the pin.

With the detent removed check that the valve turns smoothly. It's unlikely there's anything wrong in there but it should be checked.

Smooth up any ridges on the detent ball, clean the sockets and spring, put back togeter loaded up with water-resistant grease. Check & lube all the other linkage pivots too - they can get dry and stiff. The whole shuttle/EC valve linkage should have light touch.

Good luck - and let us know how it turns out. Take care, Dick B

 

[TomSeller]

PokyMike,
Any luck with this? Curious minds want to know.

 

[gpfw]

It looks like I ought to be able to tap the spring pin (Part 290) out which holds the Shift lever (Part 260) to the Selector (Part 230) and lift off the Shift Lever to expose the ball and spring. Can I without screwing some setting, alignment or tolerance up?

I know this is a stale post, but if you are still around, PokyMike, I am having the same problem with my 2005 M5700 that I just bought (154 hours) and would like to know how you solved this problem. Thanks in advance.