Mahindra purchase

[jeff77indy]

I might be the one with the 4wd problem you recall. By time mine was caught It had damaged some other things in there and I was without my tractor about 5 or 6 weeks. The syptoms I had was noise after putting it back in 2wd, it wasn't totally disengaging. They had to split mine to change all the damaged parts. The symptoms you noticed sound different. Good luck and keep smiling.

When I drove the tractor at the dealer and was moving some dirt the 4WD would not engage when moving the lever, no grinding or anything.
The Mahindra rep. found the engagment fork not properly installed. It was at an angle and not engaging the sliding coupler.
I'll check everything out Saturday when I go pick it up. But I have every belief that all will be well with it and can not wait to get it home and do some work.
Jeff

 

[skipmarcy]

I might be the one with the 4wd problem you recall. By time mine was caught It had damaged some other things in there and I was without my tractor about 5 or 6 weeks. The syptoms I had was noise after putting it back in 2wd, it wasn't totally disengaging. They had to split mine to change all the damaged parts. The symptoms you noticed sound different. Good luck and keep smiling.

I just did the very same repair to mine, split the tractor between the rear diff. and the center trans to replace the rear bearing and 2 gears on the 4wd shaft, and a new shifter fork. I can't believe it took the dealer that long to do the repair !!! It was about 5 hours to disassemble and about 10 hours reassembly by myself - no help to wiggle or push. With a helper I could have reassembled in about 7 or 8 hours. Galen had my parts to me within 2 business days. Perhaps you had to have other parts that weren't available in the US. Galen recommended replacing the 4wd shifter fork at every 600 hr service, they wear easily and aren't very expensive - I'm going to heed his advice on this one. It would be very easy to install the fork so that it doesn't operate the 4wd, but it shouldn't have been so on a brand new tractor.

 

[jeff77indy]

I just did the very same repair to mine, split the tractor between the rear diff. and the center trans to replace the rear bearing and 2 gears on the 4wd shaft, and a new shifter fork. I can't believe it took the dealer that long to do the repair !!! It was about 5 hours to disassemble and about 10 hours reassembly by myself - no help to wiggle or push. With a helper I could have reassembled in about 7 or 8 hours. Galen had my parts to me within 2 business days. Perhaps you had to have other parts that weren't available in the US. Galen recommended replacing the 4wd shifter fork at every 600 hr service, they wear easily and aren't very expensive - I'm going to heed his advice on this one. It would be very easy to install the fork so that it doesn't operate the 4wd, but it shouldn't have been so on a brand new tractor.

I agree it should not have happened on a new tractor but things happen during assy. I am glad I caught it at the dealer and Mahindra was able to correct it before I got it home.
I am confident that everything else will be fine on this tractor. If not I believe that the dealer and Mahindra will make it right.
Jeff

 

[Dougster]

Gotta tell you that you folks are starting to scare me, especially with the 'bug' that I'm experiencing. Found this while researching the topic from an old Marcel post:

I just spoke to the dealer and the Mahindra Regional rep. They found the problem. The 4wd shifting linkage was not adjusted right and the 4wd was never coming all the way into a neutral position. The shifting lever was rubbing on the side of a gear. The lever, the gear, some bearings, and a few other parts are going to be replaced. They are placing the order for the parts today.

I've long suspected that my own 4WD shift linkage is not installed or adjusted properly. It's very hard to impossible to shift back into 2WD. Fortunately, 99% of what I do calls for 4WD anyway... so I've just left it alone for later investigation & attention. But now it sounds like I could be doing some serious and costly damage to the 4110 by ignoring this issue.

On the 4110, how can one tell whether or not their 4WD linkage is adjusted properly? What are the symptoms beyond the noises reported? If I can't shift back into 2WD... which I thought was just an external corrosion/lubrication issue caused by almost never using 2WD... could I be doing some serious damage? Should the 4WD lever be "exercised" from time to time? Would that help prevent these issues?

My tractor runs fine in 4WD and there are no unusual noises. Should I just leave things alone and have the dealer look at it at my next maintenance? Or should I do something right away?

Dougster

 

[skipmarcy]

Gotta tell you that you folks are starting to scare me, especially with the 'bug' that I'm experiencing. Found this while researching the topic from an old Marcel post:

I've long suspected that my own 4WD shift linkage is not installed or adjusted properly. It's very hard to impossible to shift back into 2WD. Fortunately, 99% of what I do calls for 4WD anyway... so I've just left it alone for later investigation & attention. But now it sounds like I could be doing some serious and costly damage to the 4110 by ignoring this issue.

On the 4110, how can one tell whether or not their 4WD linkage is adjusted properly? What are the symptoms beyond the noises reported? If I can't shift back into 2WD... which I thought was just an external corrosion/lubrication issue caused by almost never using 2WD... could I be doing some serious damage? Should the 4WD lever be "exercised" from time to time? Would that help prevent these issues?

My tractor runs fine in 4WD and there are no unusual noises. Should I just leave things alone and have the dealer look at it at my next maintenance? Or should I do something right away?

Dougster

I too have always left mine in 4wd except when travelling on pavement, or in high range anytime for that matter. On my older 4110 there is no shifter adjustment - the cover & fork assy. has a spring-loaded detent ball and detents machined into the fork. The 4wd gear system is very rudimentary - the driven gear slides back & forth on a splined section of the output shaft with no syncronization, just engages the drive gear off the pinion shaft of the rear diff. The shift fork is actually one finger, not a fork like your trans. shift forks, and is subsceptible to bending and/or tip wear. My tractor has always been difficult to shift into or out of 4wd, have to rock the tractor back & forth slightly to operate it. I'm hoping that changing the tire size will help at least slightly with my shifting, but like you, I leave it engaged 95% of the time anyway. I'd be careful about putting too much pressure on the shifter when operating it, can bend that shift "fork" and cause improper gear engagement. It's very simple to inspect the whole thing, you just have to drain the hydraulic fluid to do it. It's very simple to see how it operates once you remove the fork/cover assy. and you can slide the driven gear back & forth on the shaft with your finger. If you turn the shift fork while removed be careful - the detent ball & spring will fly out if you go past the detent area. Not difficult to reinstall but it could put your eye out if you're not expecting it !! When installed, the gear travel on the shaft limits this from happening inside. Galen recommended that the shift fork be replaced at 600 hr. service while the fluid is drained, the part isn't very expensive. I'm going to start doing it.

 

[mboulais]

Gotta tell you that you folks are starting to scare me, especially with the 'bug' that I'm experiencing. Found this while researching the topic from an old Marcel post:

I've long suspected that my own 4WD shift linkage is not installed or adjusted properly. It's very hard to impossible to shift back into 2WD. Fortunately, 99% of what I do calls for 4WD anyway... so I've just left it alone for later investigation & attention. But now it sounds like I could be doing some serious and costly damage to the 4110 by ignoring this issue.

On the 4110, how can one tell whether or not their 4WD linkage is adjusted properly? What are the symptoms beyond the noises reported? If I can't shift back into 2WD... which I thought was just an external corrosion/lubrication issue caused by almost never using 2WD... could I be doing some serious damage? Should the 4WD lever be "exercised" from time to time? Would that help prevent these issues?

My tractor runs fine in 4WD and there are no unusual noises. Should I just leave things alone and have the dealer look at it at my next maintenance? Or should I do something right away?

Dougster

The noise on mine was only when I went back to two wheel drive. You couldn't miss it. I find it sometimes doesn't want to go back, but I don't force it. Just change direction and move a couple feet, then it will go easily. I think there are external adjustments though. Just have the dealer double check it next time you take it in. My repair took so long due to time of year (memorial day) The dealer was a long established repair shop before getting into Mahindra tractors. His shop is always full of farm tractors in for repair. Not mahindras, I was his 3rd warranty claim in 75 tractors and the first two don't count. They were both the same guy, he would ride the clutch on his 6000's. That's right, he did it to two! three times! The second time on the first one they upgraded him to the 6500 clutch. I think the dealer ate the price difference. After the third one Mahindra gave him an even up trade for a new one at 160 hrs. The next tractor's clutch gave up around 165 hrs. I got that one as a loaner. Awesome tractor, but you can't be riding clutches. The Farmer went and bought a green one after that. I wonder how many clutches they'll replace for free.

 

[mboulais]

Gotta tell you that you folks are starting to scare me, especially with the 'bug' that I'm experiencing. Found this while researching the topic from an old Marcel post:

I've long suspected that my own 4WD shift linkage is not installed or adjusted properly. It's very hard to impossible to shift back into 2WD. Fortunately, 99% of what I do calls for 4WD anyway... so I've just left it alone for later investigation & attention. But now it sounds like I could be doing some serious and costly damage to the 4110 by ignoring this issue.

On the 4110, how can one tell whether or not their 4WD linkage is adjusted properly? What are the symptoms beyond the noises reported? If I can't shift back into 2WD... which I thought was just an external corrosion/lubrication issue caused by almost never using 2WD... could I be doing some serious damage? Should the 4WD lever be "exercised" from time to time? Would that help prevent these issues?

My tractor runs fine in 4WD and there are no unusual noises. Should I just leave things alone and have the dealer look at it at my next maintenance? Or should I do something right away?

Dougster

The noise on mine was only when I went back to two wheel drive. You couldn't miss it. I find it sometimes doesn't want to go back, but I don't force it. Just change direction and move a couple feet, then it will go easily. I think there are external adjustments though. Just have the dealer double check it next time you take it in. My repair took so long due to time of year (memorial day) The dealer was a long established repair shop before getting into Mahindra tractors. His shop is always full of farm tractors in for repair. Not mahindras, I was his 3rd warranty claim in 75 tractors and the first two don't count. They were both the same guy, he would ride the clutch on his 6000's. That's right, he did it to two! four times! The second time on the first one they upgraded him to the 6500 clutch. I think the dealer ate the price difference. After the third one Mahindra gave him an even up trade for a new one at 160 hrs. The next tractor's clutch gave up around 165 hrs. I got that one as a loaner. Awesome tractor, but you can't be riding clutches. The Farmer went and bought a green one after that. I wonder how many clutches they'll replace for free.

 

[Dougster]

I too have always left mine in 4wd except when travelling on pavement, or in high range anytime for that matter. On my older 4110 there is no shifter adjustment - the cover & fork assy. has a spring-loaded detent ball and detents machined into the fork. The 4wd gear system is very rudimentary - the driven gear slides back & forth on a splined section of the output shaft with no syncronization, just engages the drive gear off the pinion shaft of the rear diff. The shift fork is actually one finger, not a fork like your trans. shift forks, and is subsceptible to bending and/or tip wear. My tractor has always been difficult to shift into or out of 4wd, have to rock the tractor back & forth slightly to operate it. I'm hoping that changing the tire size will help at least slightly with my shifting, but like you, I leave it engaged 95% of the time anyway. I'd be careful about putting too much pressure on the shifter when operating it, can bend that shift "fork" and cause improper gear engagement. It's very simple to inspect the whole thing, you just have to drain the hydraulic fluid to do it. It's very simple to see how it operates once you remove the fork/cover assy. and you can slide the driven gear back & forth on the shaft with your finger. If you turn the shift fork while removed be careful - the detent ball & spring will fly out if you go past the detent area. Not difficult to reinstall but it could put your eye out if you're not expecting it !! When installed, the gear travel on the shaft limits this from happening inside. Galen recommended that the shift fork be replaced at 600 hr. service while the fluid is drained, the part isn't very expensive. I'm going to start doing it.

As always, thank you Skip for the great explanation. You will always be the grand senior *Guru* of all things 4110! Must admit that I have not gone out of my way doing some of the things folks have recommended (for Mahindra and other brands) to try to get it back into 2WD. I just never use 2WD. Because I trailer to every job, I don't typically run far on pavement or ever in high range.

For now I better not mess with it too much. I've got important jobs coming up and the last thing I need is 5 or 6 weeks without my machine. Come fall, I'll think about taking it apart and figuring out what's up!

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

The noise on mine was only when I went back to two wheel drive. You couldn't miss it. I find it sometimes doesn't want to go back, but I don't force it. Just change direction and move a couple feet, then it will go easily. I think there are external adjustments though. Just have the dealer double check it next time you take it in.

Thanks Marcel - Both of my two nearest dealers are brand new to Mahindra this year so any real repairs by an experienced 4110 mechanic would mean dragging it a couple hours away back to the original selling dealer... and then back home at some later date. No fun at all. But in the meantime, I don't think I should push my luck. There is no need. If I recall your case correctly, there was a good while that the noise was really gears being chewed up. I think I'd like the dealer to check it out before I hear any expensive noises or risk any serious damage. And from Galen's recommendation, I should probably have the adjustment checked and the fork replaced at the same time anyway.

Dougster

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Doug
Just a quick sugestion. Keep the 4WD linkages lubed well and in good working order so as to keep your gears fully engaged or disengaged. Some of the problems have come from rusty linkage and forcing the shifter bends some of the linkage causing the 4WD to not be fully engaged or disengaged. Talk to you again got to get back to it. busy busy busy!

 

[Dougster]

Doug Just a quick sugestion. Keep the 4WD linkages lubed well and in good working order so as to keep your gears fully engaged or disengaged. Some of the problems have come from rusty linkage and forcing the shifter bends some of the linkage causing the 4WD to not be fully engaged or disengaged. Talk to you again got to get back to it. busy busy busy!

Thanks Galen. Yeah, I've got to get under there and do that. I've gone out of my way not to force or break anything. Little good ever comes of that approach and you can see how that longest linkage (in particular) could easily become bent. Thanks for the tip!

Dougster

 

[Keith_B]

They like the looks of the 4110 but keep pushing me to consider a main line manufacturer because of not knowing about dealer service after the sale.
A comparable DX40 Farmall or TC40 New Holland maybe out of my price range, plus I really like the looks and feel of the 4110.
I trust the dealer, but their questioning this subject has me second guessing myself.

I have had my 4110 for two years and have not had to have any dealer work done.

I can tell you that the 4110 is beefier than the DX and TC40 models. It is heavier and just plain physically larger. I have R1 tires on my 4110 and it is pretty good about getting traction. The Mahindras can have the R1 tires mounted for the same price.

 

[Keith_B]

I've long suspected that my own 4WD shift linkage is not installed or adjusted properly. It's very hard to impossible to shift back into 2WD. Fortunately, 99% of what I do calls for 4WD anyway... so I've just left it alone for later investigation & attention. But now it sounds like I could be doing some serious and costly damage to the 4110 by ignoring this issue.

Dougster

Doug, try putting the tractor in reverse when it doesn't shift into 2WD easily and backing up a few feet. It should then shift out of 4WD easier. I do this whenever my tractor won't easily shift out of 4WD and it always helps.

This is a technique that has been used on 4WD vehicles and tractors for decades to either shift them out of 4WD or to make sure that the gears are released and the machine is out of 4WD. A truck I used to have even had a line in the manual about backing up about 20 feet after shifting out of 4WD to make sure it is out of 4WD.

My Mahindra dealer even told me to back my 4110 up a few feet after shifting out of 4WD to make sure the 4WD is fully disengaged.

 

[Dougster]

Doug, try putting the tractor in reverse when it doesn't shift into 2WD easily and backing up a few feet. It should then shift out of 4WD easier. I do this whenever my tractor won't easily shift out of 4WD and it always helps.

This is a technique that has been used on 4WD vehicles and tractors for decades to either shift them out of 4WD or to make sure that the gears are released and the machine is out of 4WD. A truck I used to have even had a line in the manual about backing up about 20 feet after shifting out of 4WD to make sure it is out of 4WD.

My Mahindra dealer even told me to back my 4110 up a few feet after shifting out of 4WD to make sure the 4WD is fully disengaged.

Thanks very much Keith. I'll give it a shot once I lube and free up the linkage like Galen said and after this freakin' weekend rain ends!!!

As I mentioned earlier, there are lots of posts for lots of brands here in the archives with tips and tricks on this very topic. I should have made a list of them all so I could try them one at a time! But the bigger issue may be the potential damage in 2WD that Marcel experienced and I think Skip too. It's not so much that I can't get it into 2WD as needing to convince myself that I can do so without damaging anything. Since I don't ever use 2WD, the thought of risking damage and down time in this critical business period simply to see if I can do it is probably not the very smartest of ideas.

Dougster

 

[Keith_B]

Thanks very much Keith. I'll give it a shot once I lube and free up the linkage like Galen said and after this freakin' weekend rain ends!!!

As I mentioned earlier, there are lots of posts for lots of brands here in the archives with tips and tricks on this very topic. I should have made a list of them all so I could try them one at a time! But the bigger issue may be the potential damage in 2WD that Marcel experienced and I think Skip too. It's not so much that I can't get it into 2WD as needing to convince myself that I can do so without damaging anything. Since I don't ever use 2WD, the thought of risking damage and down time in this critical business period simply to see if I can do it is probably not the very smartest of ideas.

Dougster

I know what you mean about concern for damage. I am very careful about not putting too much pressure on the shifter for fear of bending something. If I start to take my 4110 out of 4WD and it doesn't easily move into 2WD I back it up a couple of feet and it easily slides into 2WD. For some reason it seems to alway shift easily into 4WD.

 

[Dougster]

I know what you mean about concern for damage. I am very careful about not putting too much pressure on the shifter for fear of bending something. If I start to take my 4110 out of 4WD and it doesn't easily move into 2WD I back it up a couple of feet and it easily slides into 2WD. For some reason it seems to alway shift easily into 4WD.

I wish there was some way you could know for sure that you were "free and clear" into 2WD safely and without any pending damage... other than listening for grinding metal!

Dougster

 

[Keith_B]

I wish there was some way you could know for sure that you were "free and clear" into 2WD safely and without any pending damage... other than listening for grinding metal!

Dougster

I was thinking the same thing last weekend, when I shifted mine in and out of 4WD several times. Even some kind of light when you have 4WD fully engaged and disengaged would be great.

 

[Dougster]

I was thinking the same thing last weekend, when I shifted mine in and out of 4WD several times. Even some kind of light when you have 4WD fully engaged and disengaged would be great.

Exactly what I was thinking... one LED for 2WD and one for 4WD.

Future Mahindra improvement concept courtesy of Keith and Dougster!

Dougster

 

[shvl73]

I was thinking the same thing last weekend, when I shifted mine in and out of 4WD several times. Even some kind of light when you have 4WD fully engaged and disengaged would be great.

I shift my 2810HST in and out of 4wd all the time. For some reason, I've always put it in 4wd only when needed, then back out. I wonder if they are of the same design, just on a different scale? I've noticed, as mentioned, it goes in easier than out. Straighten the front out, back up a little, and it comes out of 4wd fairly easily.

 

[Dougster]

I shift my 2810HST in and out of 4wd all the time. For some reason, I've always put it in 4wd only when needed, then back out. I wonder if they are of the same design, just on a different scale? I've noticed, as mentioned, it goes in easier than out. Straighten the front out, back up a little, and it comes out of 4wd fairly easily.

I'll bet exercising it as much as you do is actually a good thing. Half (or more?) of my problem... beside maybe a little linkage corrosion and a lack of lube... is that I'm probably just not very good at it!

Dougster