Mahindra 5035 HST freewheeling...

[docsfarm]

High guys... I've had my 5035 HST freewheel on me twice now. The first time I thought it was really just me going to fast to being with. I was in HIGH on a flat area trying to hurry, forgetting that there was an ever-so-slight downgrade and it raced away from me. The brakes really aren't that effective! Scared me a bit and I know to not race across that section of the farm...
But tonight, I was mowing on top of my hill and then headed down the hill. A steep hill at probably 15-20% grade. No trouble in my pickup truck or my Mule. Made sure to shift to LOW. started down the hill and it was great. tractor holding back like I'd expect. about 1/4 or the way down it began to freewheel. Between brakes and the drag of my mower I managed to get stopped with about 1/4 of the hill left to descend (where it flattens a bit). PHEW!!!
Are there things I should look for that might be causing this behavior? Give me some pointers...
From google, I have read that one should be at or near full throttle when descending... perhaps I wasn't. Would this cause it?
How about low hydraulic/transmission fluid?
Any other thoughts?
Thanks, Quinn

 

[Sysop]

Only time I've had that happen on mine (same tractor with smaller tires and 10 less HP) is if I wasn't fully in gear to begin with. It will create a pucker pretty quick! I've made sure to not have it happen again.

The LMNH selector is a little finicky. I've had to play with a very light touch on the HST pedals a bit to get the gears to fully seat in. Using a light touch on the HST pedals back and forth as I shift in helps to feel the gears mesh and I can tell when it is fully engages.

Also, just below the floor panel where the shifter goes through is where it enters the unit sometimes gets some rust or dirt and gets sticky. Spray some brake cleaner in there to clean up where it enters, then spray it down good with Fluid Film and operate it in and out a bunch of times and see if it loosens up some where you can 'feel' the gears inside meshing together.

 

[abeal]

Were you in 4x4? If not, the majority of the "freewheeling" people experience is just the rear tires sliding along - especially if you have low traction tires such as turf or R4/industrial. That's what it sounds like to me - try it in 4x4.