TC-24 (or any NH Class I) Owners - I Need some help

SacandagaBrad · Sep 29, 2007

Anybody have trouble with wind-up tension on the drive train while in FWD? My 24D has started to bind up to the point where I have to back up a few feet to relieve the tension before switching the transfer case back to 2 wheel drive. Tire pressures are even, fluids are up to proper levels, and this is on grass and gravel roads. Machine is a 2003 with about 435 hours, never had trouble before a couple of months ago when I started to notice it.

Brad

Solo · Sep 29, 2007

I just looked at my service manuals and I can't find anything in the trouble shooting guide. If you figure out the problem let us know.

Solo

Soundguy · Sep 30, 2007

I don't own those machines but have owned other NH cut's that were 4wd.

As long as I was on grass, the 4wd engage / disengage was easy, especially if I did just pop her in R and roll an inch.. But on any kind of high traction surface.. you may have more significant problems with wind up and premature tire wear ( scuffing )..etc.

If this is a new unit.. it may simply just shift a bit stiff till it gets broke in well.

soundguy

SacandagaBrad · Sep 30, 2007

Soundguy,

Its not new, in fact it used to be smoother. I can disengage at any time, it just has a lot of tension on it unless I back up a little, like you said. It just doesn't seem like it should develop this as it gets older and broke in. I'm worried about premature wear and tear. I was hoping it was something simple like an under inflated tire. Maybe its normal?

Brad

Soundguy · Sep 30, 2007

If your tire sizes have changed drastically.. ie worn down ont he front, your rolling ratio's will have changed.. thus making more misfitt on the driveline.. etc.

Soundguy

housemasters · Sep 30, 2007

If you have a FEL on the tractor, you can take the pressure off by picking up the front end.

dqdave1 · Sep 30, 2007

Front tires always wear quicker than the rears do to the gear ratio not being identical. When fronts wear before rears this problem will begin to be noticed more.

jwstewar · Oct 1, 2007

Brad,

I have a 24 and have the same exact scenario. I shift from 2 - 4 - 2 all of the time. I usually stop when going from 2 - 4 (but not always), but because of the wind-up I usually shift from 4 - 2 on the fly. If I've been turning I or something the lever is real tight, but if I drive in a straight line (forward or backward) you can literally rest your hand on the lever and feel it free up and it will slip out of 4wd. Mine has been that way since new. I believe this is normal operation for these tractors. I don't think you have a problem.

schmism · Oct 1, 2007

my class 2.... how stiff it shifts in and out has to do with the postion of the front wheels and what kind of surface im on.

sometimes it slides in and out with out any noticable force on the lever.

other times im fighting it and have to straighten up and backup before it will disengage.

SacandagaBrad · Oct 1, 2007

jwstewar said:
If I've been turning I or something the lever is real tight, but if I drive in a straight line (forward or backward) you can literally rest your hand on the lever and feel it free up and it will slip out of 4wd. Mine has been that way since new. I believe this is normal operation for these tractors. I don't think you have a problem.

Jim,

That's how mine used to be, but now it winds up even in a straight line. I can turn right and left and that relieves it, or back up, and either way it slips right out of 4wd with minimal effort. Its no so much that I think it is a major problem, just that is a change so I'm wondering if it is a sign of something more serious. Maybe I'll play around a little more with tire pressure on the front, other than that not worry about it.

From what others have posted, it sounds within normal operation limits. My neighbor's older Kubota winds up so tight, he has to back it up to get it to release sometimes.

Brad