Max 26 Diff lock stuck

[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!