Max 26 Diff lock stuck

[Tim in MN]

I've got a 2019 Max 26KL with the diff lock stuck in the engaged position. It happened yesterday when putting up driveway markers. I've tried moving the shaft with a pair of pliers, no luck. Sprayed the shaft and housing with penetrating oil in case it's rusted, still no luck. Anybody got any ideas on how to get this thing freed up? Of course it had to happen when the weather is in the teens now.

 

[Joe Hickerson]

I've got a 2019 Max 26KL with the diff lock stuck in the engaged position. It happened yesterday when putting up driveway markers. I've tried moving the shaft with a pair of pliers, no luck. Sprayed the shaft and housing with penetrating oil in case it's rusted, still no luck. Anybody got any ideas on how to get this thing freed up? Of course it had to happen when the weather is in the teens now.

Hi Tim, I would make sure it is out of 4wd then drive forward and back a few times in a straight line. Maybe try forward/reverse quickly....may release the tension. Don't need tension 'ya know

 

[Tim in MN]

Hi Tim, I would make sure it is out of 4wd then drive forward and back a few times in a straight line. Maybe try forward/reverse quickly....may release the tension. Don't need tension 'ya know

Thanks Jo, I'll give it a try.

 

[s219]

If you can get the rear wheels off the ground it should completely alleviate any tension in the rear end. You could independently spin the wheels to help if needed.

 

[LittleBill21]

go up and down some hills, push in clutch a couple times, do some turns forward and reverse. you should be proud you got it in, what a pain in the ass.

 

[Tim in MN]

OK, tried all your suggestions, it's still stuck in the engaged position. When I had it jacked up I had a pair of pliers on the locking shaft and tried to move it while I was moving the rear tires back and forth, still locked. Probably going to have to take it in to get fixed, still under warranty, I'm assuming this will be covered under the powertrain, I hope.

 

[Rebeldad1]

What did the service manager say to do?

 

[George2615]

The diff lock stuck on my 2615 also. Had to use a pry bar under the pedal to raise it up and 2 cans of penetrating oil where the linkage goes thru the case. Had to do this many times raising the pedal and pushing it down to get it freed up. My main cause was lack of use and had never lubed that linkage before.

 

[Tim in MN]

Haven't talked to the service guys yet, calling them in the morning. But if it's the case like George2615 I'll keep up with the penetrating oil and see what happens. I hate working in the cold.

 

[LittleBill21]

so the shaft doesn't move at all? or it moves but stays engaged?

 

[Tim in MN]

Nope, will not move at all. Was just thinking about using a heat gun on the housing and tapping the shaft with a hammer to see if it will break loose. I don't use the diff lock that often, and like George said probably just rusted in the housing.

 

[LittleBill21]

yea i think you have something else going on, my tractor was 5 years old when i got it, the diff lock lever didn't even have a scratch on it, meaning it was never used, it had 0 trouble moving. do you see high levels of corrosion?

 

[Tim in MN]

Nope, no corrosion. The diff lock shaft runs through a piece of octagon sleeve about 2 1/2 inches long, the sleeve screws into the main trans case, that's where I think it's rusted. The sleeve takes a 22mm wrench, of course it won't move either. Heated the sleeve with a torch and sprayed with penetrating oil, did this 3 times to get the oil to wick into the sleeve. Calling one of the bigger dealers, mine just sells Mahindra as a side business.

 

[sspenst]

I had that happen to my 3016, I got mine to move with pliers and I sprayed it a few times, I also put a spring on it to keep it disengaged cuz it seems they always get stuck in the engaged position. I also learned that when I helped my uncle split his 3215 Gear that the diff lock was seized as well, we got it out and used emery cloth to clean it up. its just a hole through the axle housing, no seals or anything to prevent moisture from entering just tightly machined just enough to slightly rotate.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

I had that happen to my 3016, I got mine to move with pliers and I sprayed it a few times, I also put a spring on it to keep it disengaged cuz it seems they always get stuck in the engaged position. I also learned that when I helped my uncle split his 3215 Gear that the diff lock was seized as well, we got it out and used emery cloth to clean it up. its just a hole through the axle housing, no seals or anything to prevent moisture from entering just tightly machined just enough to slightly rotate.

We have a 90 HP NH at work and the same thing happens all the time no matter how much you lubricate it

 

[Tim in MN]

Well, it's working correctly again. Evidently the penetrating oil did it's job. Took it out 2 weeks to blow snow, the lever was up again and just one rear wheel spun when it started to get stuck. I'm thinking that if I can get a drill in there I'll drill a hole in the shaft housing just enough to get to the diff lock shaft and put a zerk fitting in. Keeping grease in there will keep it from rusting up again. Thanks for all the advice you guys have offered, it was really appreciated.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

Well, it's working correctly again. Evidently the penetrating oil did it's job. Took it out 2 weeks to blow snow, the lever was up again and just one rear wheel spun when it started to get stuck. I'm thinking that if I can get a drill in there I'll drill a hole in the shaft housing just enough to get to the diff lock shaft and put a zerk fitting in. Keeping grease in there will keep it from rusting up again. Thanks for all the advice you guys have offered, it was really appreciated.

Hope the differential lock doesn't stick anymore! And thanks for the update.

 

[Joe Hickerson]

Well, it's working correctly again. Evidently the penetrating oil did it's job. Took it out 2 weeks to blow snow, the lever was up again and just one rear wheel spun when it started to get stuck. I'm thinking that if I can get a drill in there I'll drill a hole in the shaft housing just enough to get to the diff lock shaft and put a zerk fitting in. Keeping grease in there will keep it from rusting up again. Thanks for all the advice you guys have offered, it was really appreciated.

Yea Tim, thanks for the update! Spring is just around the corner... . Still lotsa snow in the woods here!