Cable Operated Sherman Problem

[Anonymous-0]

My neighbor is redoing a 8N with a cable rather than lever shift Sherman.The cable is being stubborn.Soaking in penetrating oil and fiddling got it unstuck and working after a fashion.It bends the dash with the effort it takes to shift.Asking for suggestions about how we might do better at saving this cable or a source for a replacement.Thanks

 

[wwildhorse2k]

you can find a sherman Lever replacement at Redrock Mfg. I got some parts for my sherman combo --- Great Folks!!!!!
Redrock Mfg

 

[dennisinoklahoma]

If you have a parts cleaner try it.

If not, do what I do to sticky speedometer and proof meter cables.

Oil and sand down the inner cable and while it is still oily and gritty, use it to sand down the inside of the outer sheath by running the inner cable through the outer sheath numerous times then clean both. Lubricate the cleaned cable with graphite or if not available, try WD40.
By the way, is the cable pull type Sherman tranny a step up or step down or combo?

 

[jimNCal]

I have a 'modern' replacement cable but, a bit spendy $ wise.

You just have to keep working at the rusty cable a little at a time. First, strip/clean all of the 'penetrating oil' out of it, use a GOOD rust remover instead of a lubricant at first. Then lubricate with silicone after you get it moving more freely.

Remember, the cable shift Shermans have NO neutral detent so SOME resistance of the cable is needed just to keep the darn things in the range you put them in. I haven't seen one of the 'conversion kits' so I don't know if this issue was addressed.

Hope this helps,

jim

 

[Dell (WA)]

Dennis......according to John Smiths Sherman page, the cable pull Sherman shifter was OverDrive ONLY. (OverDrive means Step-Up) IN for OverDrive, pulled OUT for straight-thru (normal gears) ......Dell

 

[heybusdriver]

My Sherman step-down came with a seized cable on my 49 8N . 8N 197904 I replaced it with a RR conversion handle.
John Smith Sherman page:

"Then came the Sherman Step-down transmission which worked the same as the Step-up except it lowered the gear ratios rather than raised them to give the tractor a slower ground speed. The Step-down used the same gear case as the Step-up transmission but was painted red instead of the gray like the Step-up. The Step-down transmission, available with cable or lever shift, is an extremely rare find today."

Stan
1949 8N146710
1949 8N179555
1949 8N197904
1950 8N254079
1951 8N362039

& a 1950 parts tractor
In a pear tree

 

[Anonymous-0]

i can convert it to lever shift. I have most sherman parts. 210 967 5484

 

[GunPilot]

My 1949 8N Samson came with a cable-operated step-down Sherman. I am still using the original cable. It was stuck when I got it, I loosened it with penetrating oil but was hard to operate. Then one day it got loose and works fine ever since.

Step down is most handy when backing up. My tractor also has the Everett transmission but that is too low (98:1) for anything practical except winning slowest tractor races. The tractor had an Everett trencher on it when I got it.

So, soak that cable if you want to keep using it. It will come loose.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Thanks all for the helpful information.Will pass it all along to my good friend and neighbor.I don't know whether it's an overdrive or underdrive for sure.We found the 'Ditch Witch' logo under the top paint layer on the hood side panels,assuming it did some trencher duty at one time.He paid $750 for it at an auction where no one could get it to run.We had it running 30 minuets after he got it home.Good tires and sheet metal and brakes.Guessing the Sherman alone is worth what he paid for the tractor.He has some 'room' to purchase the "pricey" replacement cable if it comes to that.Best regards,Boley

 

[Anonymous-0]

Thanks again everyone.What I thought was penetrating oil my neighbor was using turned out to be WD-40.It's been a long time since that stuff was a penetrator.We used some pb blaster yesterday and today the cable freed up.I mentioned that he should follow up with a dose of silicone lube to keep it working.(per jimNCal).All of your posts were helpful to get the problem taken care of.We are old and don't hear well.We sometimes hear what we expect the other to say.And we smile a lot.It didn't work out this time about penetrating oil.I remember when WD-40 contained DMSO and was a valuable product in the shop.If one got it on his finger he would taste it in his mouth shortly.Along about 1980 some law required removal of the magic ingredient causing it to become almost worthless.Pretty much kerosene with a propane propellant,handy to help start a lawn mower in the spring,that's about all.