Massey Shifter ???

[sunuva]

I just got done disking my garden plot in Low and 1st gear. I drove the tractor up to the fence - when I went to put in reverse - the shifter wouldn't move. I've tried every combination with high and low and neutral - with the tractor running and off and with the clutch all the way depressed and partially. It won't grind it won't shift and it won't move - at all. Any help? thanks in advance.

 

[chuck41]

It may help to know what you have for a Massey.
Chuck

 

[Anonymous-0]

With the tractor off, remove the fill plug to the left of the shifter. With a long screw drive you can slide the shifter fork to the rear of the tractor into the neutral position. You might try pushing the clutch in while you are doing this. I am amusing your tractor has three forward speeds and reverse along with the hi/low shifter. The shifter rails are held in place with a spring and a conical plunger that snaps in to a groove on the shifter rail, the plunger point wear down over time and does not engage the groove so the tend to slide into a gear while you are in neutral and the shifter end is not in the fork so you are lock of position.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Hello,
As Chuck has said it is essential for us to know the model of the tractor to be able help. Assuming that the fence was solid and you drove the tractor against it in first gear even briefly it is possible that you have broken the shear tube or the hub in the clutch plate. Clutch and gear movement will be normal except for the fact that you ain't goin nowhere. The tube is located just forward of the final drive and acts as a safety device is excess load is placed on the transmission. It is necessary to remove the LH side cover to gain access to it to check it. You need to drain the oil to at least the level of the bottom bolt first. Normally when the shear tube fails, it goes with a bang.
If the clutch plate has sheared that will not make much noise. To check which may be the cause, place the tractor in first gear with one rear wheel off the ground. If the wheel is difficult to turn, not how much force is required. No place it in top gear. If there is no difference in the load required then it is likely to be the shear tube. If the load varies with the gear then you are turning the gearbox but not the clutch plate.
Let us know what you find and the model and age.
DavidP

 

[sunuva]

(quoted from post at 15:57:57 01/14/10) It may help to know what you have for a Massey.
Chuck

Sorry - 60's model 35

and thanks Andy - your assumptions are correct and I'll try that tonight and let you know what happens.

 

[sunuva]

Never actually hit the fence - just drove right up to it - and needed to reverse - now the tractor is stuck where it is until I get some stronger friends or Andy's idea works.

And...I guess I should have been more clear but, it's the shifter that won't move - even a little

 

[DavidP,South Wales]

Looks like I may have mis-read the problem. Understood it not to move with main gear lever free. If main gear lever is stuck in gear the do as Andy has suggested.
DavidP

 

[DavidP,South Wales]

Hi again, caught the wrong end of this one. If you are able to free the gear lever as Andy has suggested examine the gear lever pivot closely for excess wear by lifting the gear lever up and down and also by turning it left and right. With a tractor of this age the chances are that the lever pivot slot and/or the pin will be worn and allow the ball on the end to jump out of the selectors. This problem will happen again so a repair now might save time in the future. One other thing that will reduce the re-occurrence is to push down wards on the gear lever slightly EVERY time you select a gear.
DavidP

 

[sunuva]

Assuming Andy's idea works cause it sounds like it will - is it safe to drive as usual or is this going to be a constant problem until I have parts replaced?
[b:fe8047db7f]NEVER-MIND - YOU WERE ANSWERING WHILE I WAS ASKING[/b:fe8047db7f]

 

[Anonymous-0]

It sound like the shifter fork slipped, I have a MF 65 that would do that but it would go into reverse. To fix the problem once you get it back to the shop you will need to remove the steering box this will take about an hour and half round trip. Once you have the steering box removed you should see the shifter rails, shifter forks and gears. Toward the front there should be the wall of the casting. In line with each rail there will be a hole with a spring in them, remove the springs and check to see if they are broken or weak.In the bottom of the hole will be a plunger, remove the plunger you might need a magnet or needle nose pliers to get them out. The plunger for 1st and reverse will most likely be worn the most. If you have a Massey dealer near you the might be able to get a new one for you. I chucked mine in a drill and used a die grinder to dress a new nose on the plunger and then put it in the hole above the Hi/Low shifter rail (the worst that can happen there is you end up in the hi or low range not reverse when you thought you where in forward). Good luck.

 

[sunuva]

thanks Andy and everyone - I followed your direction and it worked just like you said it would -these forums never fail to help!