There are 2 shift levers on the 970. The main shift lever gives you 4 forward gears and reverse. That lever is the one between your legs as you sit in the seat. The other shift lever is behind your right leg kind of under the front of the seat. That shifter has 3 positions. "H" for high range, "N" for neutral, and "L" for low range. I assume this is the shifter you are looking for. High range is with the lever in the upper position. Neutral is pushed down one position, and Low range "granny" gear is with the lever pushed all the way down. Sometimes the high and low range can be a little difficult to engage into gear. Try putting the main shift lever in 1st or reverse, put some pressure on the range lever toward High or Low, and then ease out on the clutch until the high or low gear drops in. Then you can clutch and place gear shift in desired gear. The H - N - L lever has to be shifted while tractor is sitting still. It can not be shifted "on the fly"