Lame BX Shifting Linkage

JimMorrissey · Nov 26, 2002

Hello,

My shift linkage is still hard to move and the BX has just reached 200 hours. I'm getting tired of babying the lever by gently moving it back and forth to get it into gear (as I used to do). --I've got a 400 foot, 5' deep electric trench to fill, not hours on end trying to get this [censored] thing in and out of gear. Frankly, I've got to the point where I just slap the lever from rabbit to turtle without regard for it's tender needs. I'm pissed at Kubota for making such a lame shift linkage.

...Any ideas how to deal with this total nuisance? Does it need grease.....is slapping it back and forth going to do damage (I suspect yes, but don't care at this point)? What is the deal with this poorly engineered critical part of an otherwise amazing machine.

Hoosier_Daddy · Nov 26, 2002

Mine does that once in awhile. I just tap the hydro pedal and it drops into gear. You can't be moving if you are changing gears. I never really viewed it as a problem.

Tom

nitronut1 · Nov 26, 2002

I have the same shift issue, and do the same thing with the pedal that you described.

Recently my hydro pedal has been sticking in forward or reverse when it's cold outside. Seems that there is a shock-absorber type piston atached to the pedal under the floor that must not adapt well to the cold.

r0GuE · Nov 27, 2002

W o w...
So now I'm left to wonder,.. are you reacting to the same thing mine does (which is essentially a non-issue, very easy to manipulate), or do you have a malfunctioning unit.
Can you get it to drop in by stopping, goiing to N, and then if needed, tapping the hydro.
If so, I just write that off to big gears inside that need to mesh properly. But, to be fair, I almost NEVER shift out of low (I hate saying turtle). Why couldn't they do a 1 - 2 labeling. I feel like I'm looking at the shifter for a Murray when I see that.

MReeter · Nov 27, 2002

Jim,the linkage needs to be lubricated every soo often.I use an Aerisol Grease to "reach in" to the linkage and pivet points.This stuff works very well and she shifts as smooth as silk.

Same way on the PTO linkage....

art · Nov 27, 2002

Just because it is new doen't mean it doesn't need lubrication. Unlike the new cars which don't have a grease fitting on the bulk of them anymore tractors still do and lubrication is a nessesary evil for good performance. When the levers do work hard it might take a couple of times to get them to where they should be.

dkchandler · Nov 27, 2002

I am having the same issue with my H-N-L shifter on my BX2200. I think it is something I can live with, although my hydro pedal is starting to stick which really scares me at times. I keep the pedal greased (Slick 50 One Grease).
I do think they could have used a heaver metal on the shifter linkage./w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif

Charliebrn · Nov 27, 2002

you know, I've never really payed attention, but I don't think I have the issue that you are having. Like one or two others, I automatically nudge the hydro pedal a little when I shift gears without even really thinking about it. Do you do this? I also grease my linkages regularly with Amsoil synthetic grease, so maybe that helps.

As for the hydro pedal sticking, yup, mine does that too, even with the new one my dealer gave me early on. (My original didn't have the grease fitting, the second did). I've gotten used to returning the pedal to neutral with my foot, but you are right, this could be a safety issue if you aren't careful. I'm amazed that Kubota hasn't taken steps to really fix this problem, I gotta believe that someone somewhere is going to be hurt by a tractor that keeps going...

techman · Nov 27, 2002

Jim:

I had the same issue. Got to where I couldn't get it out of neutral. I looked "below" and saw that the actual shaft was not resisting. I gave the linkage a squirt of WD-40 and now the thing shifts like velvet. The linkage is on the right side of the trans, all plated gold color. The bult of the linkage is the neutral start interlock. It appears to have never been lubed by the factory or the dealer. I followed up with a bit of spray white grease. Smooth....

I like others thought that it was tight or balky gears in the trans, but it was only the external linkage causing the drag.

paul

JimC · Nov 27, 2002

I had the same problem and was about to haul it back to the dealer (less than 50 hours) until I took another look at it.
I found that I had picked up a bit of sand in the little neutral switch mechanism, it looks like a short cylinder that activates the neutral switch.
A good shot of WD-40 washed it out and no problems since. I do wash it with wd-40 every time that I have used it in sandy conditions.
Jim

equipman · Nov 27, 2002

JimMorrissey
Kubota uses straight cut (not beveled) gears in the transmissions and when they stop with the two gears matching up on the top of the gear cog, some movement is required to let them mesh. This is accomplished by simply touching the hydro pedal and rolling one gear. It the problem is in the shifter linkage, some lubrication should take care of that.
Lewis

JimMorrissey · Nov 27, 2002

Thank you all for your responses. Note that the manual says nothing about lubing the shifting linkage, but I will do that as that appears to be the answer for now.

--I do find this to be a problem when I want to use the tractor and it's transmission as it was supposed to be used.......quickly and efficiently shift to high gear when you want to move from one area to another (without having to stop and think about rolling the pedal or moving this or that back and forth) and low when you need the power/torque. I am building a house now and with Winter coming on strong I don't have the time to fart around all day puttsing around the property in low gear . It should work without a problem considering what I paid for the thing. My blood temp is starting to rise again so I will end this here. -Thanks again.

Bird · Nov 28, 2002

Jim, I've never operated a BX, but like the other guys, I found it wasn't unusual on my B series tractor to have to tap the hydro pedal to go from "neutral" to one of the ranges; however, if it was in one of the gears instead of neutral and I stopped dead still (foot on the brake so nothing was moving), it would slip quite easily from one range through neutral into the other range. Don't know if that would help you or not.

TresCrows · Nov 28, 2002

"to be a problem when I want to use the tractor and it's transmission as it was supposed to be used.......quickly and efficiently shift to high gear when you want to move from one area to another"

"as it was supposed to be used"---hmmmmm--mine does the same thing and so does my B2410--soooo, that is how it is SUPPOSED to be. The gears are not syncrhomesh and Kubota uses straight cut gears because they are more efficient. If the gear teeth stop rotating opposed to one another they will not engage--this will never go away--it is not a break in issue. Stiffness in the mechanism should improve over time. Perhaps you think you own a Miata? The need to shift from high to low and back when using the loader is aggravating. The only solution is to tap the hydro till you find the gear. I would not shift on the fly slapping it into gear or you may find yourself needing expensive repairs. Patience. J

cpicton1 · Nov 28, 2002

Take a look at your Operators Manual. It tells you the same thing that others have said here. It is normal operating procedure. If you don't like the way it works then you might consider trading your tractor in on something else. You can test drive other makes and models at no cost. You may find one that shifts to your liking or you may decide you can live with the one you have. Especially if the one you have is paid in full.

Either way, Happy Thanksgiving! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

JimMorrissey · Dec 2, 2002

Thanks for that little piece of advice there.

JimMorrissey · Dec 2, 2002

Bird,

That is what I do now. I have to stop and put my foot on the brake and gently move it into gear. My point is that it's a pain in the as* and I don't like it, but I guess I'll have to deal with it. Thanks, Jim

JimMorrissey · Dec 2, 2002

TresCrows.....Miata? Maybe you're confused, I just want to shift from high to low without having to put a whole lot of thought into the matter. I have not and will not shift on the fly by slapping it into gear. If I slap it into gear it's when the machine is stopped. If you try to shift gears while it's moving at all you'll get a nasty surprise.

Anyway, I don't like the way the high / low transmission operates or is serviced via the thin & flimsy lever.

-Jim