The 4 wheel drive lever moves up and down freely but the front wheels will not lock in. The lever looks fine on the outside. Is this a common problem ? Is there an easy fix ? Does the tractor have to be split to fix this?
Massey Ferguson 1528 4 wheel drive won't engage
- Thread starter Ckline
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ambeaver4
New member
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- Dec 3, 2014
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- Concord, NC
- Tractor
- JD 950, JD 4320 eHydro TLB, MF 1528 Hydro TL, JD 790 (sold)
Did you ever find out what was wrong? I have a MF 1528 exact same problem. 4x4 was working fine then would not engage. Lever and linkage look great.
Harry in Ky
Veteran Member
Common problem with tractors such as yours is drive shaft splines and snap rings not keeping couplers in place. Have you checked that. Usually the front one.
ambeaver4
New member
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- Dec 3, 2014
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- Location
- Concord, NC
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- JD 950, JD 4320 eHydro TLB, MF 1528 Hydro TL, JD 790 (sold)
Thanks for the insight. I haven't had time to look at it much but my first step was going to be removing the drive shaft tube to inspect the shaft and couplings. Hopefully that's the issue and easier repair. I'll take pics and post here what I find out.
The 1528 has a very weak design to attach the front axle to the frame. It is only 2 small bolts. If they have become damaged by dropping a front tire into a hole or bumping a tree, the axle will shift enough to break the drive shaft that runs to the front axle.
On mine the front plate the axle was bolted to broke the weld at the frame when the front end dropped into an unknown hole in a new to me hay field.
Long story short. If this is your problem find a good shop to do the repair. And be prepared to drop some money. The dealer repaired it but did not do it correctly and refused to fix it. The alignment of the parts in the front was never right and it broke the shaft a second time. I used it as a 2 wheel drive for many years before trading it in on a new Kubota L2501.
On mine the front plate the axle was bolted to broke the weld at the frame when the front end dropped into an unknown hole in a new to me hay field.
Long story short. If this is your problem find a good shop to do the repair. And be prepared to drop some money. The dealer repaired it but did not do it correctly and refused to fix it. The alignment of the parts in the front was never right and it broke the shaft a second time. I used it as a 2 wheel drive for many years before trading it in on a new Kubota L2501.
ambeaver4
New member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2014
- Messages
- 6
- Location
- Concord, NC
- Tractor
- JD 950, JD 4320 eHydro TLB, MF 1528 Hydro TL, JD 790 (sold)
You're spot on. I have a broken pinion shaft where it goes into the first coupling. I found one of the two bolts that hold the rear of the front axle pivot bearing to the frame was missing and the other one was loose. I imagine it got out of align and stressed the pinion shaft enough to break it. I plan to do the repairs myself. Beaking the whole front axle down soon so I know what all parts I need to order. This isn't going to be cheap....
P.S. all the frame mounting points look good. No cracks or anything like that so hopefully this will be a new ring and pinion job and that's it.
P.S. all the frame mounting points look good. No cracks or anything like that so hopefully this will be a new ring and pinion job and that's it.
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superdave24
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- Oct 18, 2024
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- 1528 massey ferguson
Any updates on your repairs. I have asimular problem and need to get it fixed i am a mechanic and hope I can get it fixed
