AC d15 backhoe

[Cbraket]

Im a new member. Thanks.
I have a 196? D15 backhoe. Won't stay in 1st gear when loaded.
Any tips to removing the fork plate from the side of the transmission. All bolts removed, it moves out about 3/4 inch but can't get it off. I'm sure I had it in nutrel. Also I removed the snap ring from the shifter lever but can't get it out either.
I haven't worked on one of these before.
It has 4 forward gears and a forward / reverse shifter.
Thanks.

 

[Hlmillus]

My AC 615 with a backhoe was not staying in 1 st gear so I tied the shift lever into 1st and used it quite
awhile that way. The problem cannot be corrected through the side plate on the transmission. I found
that the square notches on the face of the shifting collar and the gear were rounded off probably from
"grinding" the gears when shifting. The D15 uses the same style gears as my 615. It will be necessary
to split the tractor.