John Deere A not moving

[Beatles65]

Why would my 1948 John Deere A not start moving when the clutch is engaged and is in gear. would it be something with the high low setting? Would there be something wrong with the cluch? Any help would be great. Thanks Andrew

 

[Bob]

Is the clutch/belt pulley turning when you engage the clutch? If it IS and you're not moving you can rule out the clutch.

Could be LOTS of things, potentially ANY of the drivetrain parts between the clutch pulley and the rear wheels.

Are the brake drums turning? if yes, tranny is OK and there's a problem in the final drive/differential/rear axle area, if not it's in the reduction gear through the transmission area.

I'd start by pulling the tranny cover and look for problems in the shifter and shift rail area.

 

[MPK]

If that one still has the separate Hi Lo shift lever it could be that lever is in neutral instead of in hi or lo. You may have to roll the pulley to get it in gear.

 

[RobMD]

Just pull the tranny cover (gearshift) and have a look in there with a super duper flashlight, have a buddy roll the flywheel (with the tractor engaged in the gear before you took the cover off)

Only then will you know, just like Bob says, and then you may go further.

 

[Anonymous-0]

BUY AN ALLIS CHALMERS!!!!

 

[dmiller]

Hopefully your problem is not the one I have. Somehow I get a bit of water in the oil in the rear housing. I usually forget about it since I don't use it much. About every three years or so I remember it when I go out on a cold day (say 10 or colder) and have the problem you describe. Drain the oil and replace it on an above freezing day and all is well. When the small amount of water is in solution with the oil I don't have any problems (I know its bad for the gears but I don't use the tractor that much)If it sits for a while the water settles to the bottom and freezes.

 

[Beatles65]

The cluch starts to move but then stops. choud there be something wrong with the clutch?

 

[Bob]

If the clutch pulley is not turning when you engage the clutch the clutch is slipping.

At the very least it will need adjusting.

Does the engine get "loaded" when you engage the clutch?

Is the tractor in below freezing temps, where a frozen-up transmission could make the already loose clutch slip without moving the tractor?

 

[Greenday]

Like dmiller said ,it sounds like you have ice frozen in the bottom of the rearend housing since the bull gears run very very close to the bottom of the housing. do not force it or you may damage something else. you will need to warm up the bottom of the housing to get it free then you need to get it inside somewhere and drain the water out. Dave

 

[point3dave]

High I work for a Case salvage yard, and we fight frozen up rear ends all the time. I have a 1950 JD and thanks for reminding me to check mine next summer. All ready got it marked on the May calender. Thanks Dave K

 

[kendak]

have you got the service ,operators & parts manual ?..if not get them & go from there...Kent

 

[Beatles65]

I was able to move the tractor down the driveway and started blading and when i went to go backwards is when it wouldn't move, then it wouldn't go forward in any gear. This has happened to me before when the weather was nice outside but it eventually started moving agian.
what do you think?

 

[JD5460]

Check you transmission first, if your sure its not frozen as some suggest. The older hi-lo shifters would lock up between gears if the sliding gears are worn. My 45 "B" did this until I replaced the sliding shaft and gears, just caused by years of wear. Only my opinion. Sometimes with a lot of "wiggling" of shifter and clutch it will break loose, unlocking enough to start moving again.