MF202 Workbull Stuck in 2nd (again)

[bugsy71]

Good evening all,
I'm having an issue with my MF202 being stuck in 2nd (I think..). I removed the fill plug and see the square bolt piece (and the gear below) move forward and backward about 1/4" as I move the stick - which as well only moves a tiny amount. The large gear at the front is all the way forward - does it control only reverse or both reverse/1st? Could it actually be stuck in 1st now maybe? I've had issues with it being stuck in Reverse and can correct that. I recall maybe being stuck in 2nd before but it was a long time ago and it took quite a while to get it out. Things seem pretty solid as far as prying on the rearward gear you can see from the fill hole. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks
Paul

 

[Harry in Ky]

As a general rule, the interlocks will only let one shift rail move unless they are all in neutral. Whichever rail is out of place can be "levered" through the filler plug opening. Leave the shifter alone and work though the hole against any forks you can reach. Work them one at a time both ways. When you find the right one it will slip back into neutral and hopefully the shifter will still be in the neutral slot as well.

 

[John Deere D]

Good evening all,
I'm having an issue with my MF202 being stuck in 2nd (I think..). I removed the fill plug and see the square bolt piece (and the gear below) move forward and backward about 1/4" as I move the stick - which as well only moves a tiny amount. The large gear at the front is all the way forward - does it control only reverse or both reverse/1st? Could it actually be stuck in 1st now maybe? I've had issues with it being stuck in Reverse and can correct that. I recall maybe being stuck in 2nd before but it was a long time ago and it took quite a while to get it out. Things seem pretty solid as far as prying on the rearward gear you can see from the fill hole. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks
Paul

If the Transmission is a 6 speed (1>3 with H/L) and no mutipower...insides may look like this.

 

[stevieb49829]

Good evening all,
I'm having an issue with my MF202 being stuck in 2nd (I think..). I removed the fill plug and see the square bolt piece (and the gear below) move forward and backward about 1/4" as I move the stick - which as well only moves a tiny amount. The large gear at the front is all the way forward - does it control only reverse or both reverse/1st? Could it actually be stuck in 1st now maybe? I've had issues with it being stuck in Reverse and can correct that. I recall maybe being stuck in 2nd before but it was a long time ago and it took quite a while to get it out. Things seem pretty solid as far as prying on the rearward gear you can see from the fill hole. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks
Paul

Bugsy: If you've had problems in the past, and now are fighting it again, and it looks like the one John Deere D posted a picture of, I'd suggest you pull the bolts out of the cover, line everything back up, and check the detents. Those will be springs and probably ball bearings in the little holes on the right edge of the case in JDD's photo. Most of the time, the springs break and then the detent balls don't stop the rails in their appropriate notch to keep the tranny from doing what you are experiencing. Or a piece of broken spring jambs up the rod. A small magnet will pull the springs and pieces, and balls out of their holes. Also, if all is well with the detents, show us a picture of the end of the shift rod and we'll be able to tell if you have a wear problem that needs fixing. steve

 

[used red MN]

Stevie really has your best answer. I was just going to add while prying put the low/high lever in neutral (I am guessing this has a neutral our 65 did) also hold down the clutch. This will allow the gear teeth to turn slightly and mesh to slip in gear while prying.

 

[bugsy71]

Hi all, thanks for the responses and especially that pic, JDD. You'll have to forgive me guys, I'm very green where the names of the components are concerned. I'll assume the shift rails in the pic are the long silver rods that run from front to back. I didn't realize there was 2 just for the main shifter and a separate one for the hi/lo. With the fill plug out, you can only see the one. On the left side of the pic there is a metal piece on each rail (with bolts lock-wired to the rails), can I assume these are connected to the shift forks that move the gears? Stevie, can you remove the shift rod without removing the entire top cover - I read it was a pain to take it off because the power steering goes through it as well? I'm going back out to work on it again later this AM.. will keep you posted.
Thanks again

 

[bugsy71]

You guys are genius'! The Rev/1st gear was all the way forward in first gear. When I put a pry bar behind it (towards front of tractor) and gave a couple very gentle taps towards the rear, it popped into Neutral and everything is working okay now. Thanks so much! Is it normal though for it to be a bit of a pain to get into Rev/1st? You have to pull it back into 1st and straight forward in a fluid motion to get it to go into Rev..?
Paul

 

[Harry in Ky]

I wouldn't consider it "normal" but not uncommon either. The "pry bar thought the filler hole" trick is well known for good reason. While there are various tricks that can be done to improve the condition, they all require (at least) moving the shift cover which you already know is no piece of cake. My advise is practice shifting in and out of the various gears more deliberately and holding some down pressure on the shift knob when doing so. Getting carried away while shifting and pulling up on the knob when doing so is easy to do and most likely will put you back in the same situation some day.

 

[stevieb49829]

Hi all, thanks for the responses and especially that pic, JDD. You'll have to forgive me guys, I'm very green where the names of the components are concerned. I'll assume the shift rails in the pic are the long silver rods that run from front to back. I didn't realize there was 2 just for the main shifter and a separate one for the hi/lo. With the fill plug out, you can only see the one. On the left side of the pic there is a metal piece on each rail (with bolts lock-wired to the rails), can I assume these are connected to the shift forks that move the gears? Stevie, can you remove the shift rod without removing the entire top cover - I read it was a pain to take it off because the power steering goes through it as well? I'm going back out to work on it again later this AM.. will keep you posted.
Thanks again

The "long silver rods" are indeed the shift rails. The wired set screws hold the sift forks to the rod in the correct place. The two half notches in each allow the end of the shift lever to change position back and forth, moving one rail and fork at a time. On some transmissions there are other detents that keep you from being able to move both rails and forks at the same time. Your detents, which may still not be working, create a positive stop position for the fork and gear, right where it needs to be to fully mesh with the other gears. Someday you may want to take on the task of getting the cover far enough up to magnet out your detents and check them. steve

 

[Jim.ME]

You guys are genius'! The Rev/1st gear was all the way forward in first gear. When I put a pry bar behind it (towards front of tractor) and gave a couple very gentle taps towards the rear, it popped into Neutral and everything is working okay now. Thanks so much! Is it normal though for it to be a bit of a pain to get into Rev/1st? You have to pull it back into 1st and straight forward in a fluid motion to get it to go into Rev..?
Paul

Harry gave you the answer. Normal wear will do that. Slow down and follow a true H pattern (don't "round the corners") when moving the shift lever and hold down as you move it (realize it or not one has a tendency to lift as one has to reach down to the lever). Wear in the end of the lever, slop in the lever pivot, wear in the shift rails and their gates, all add up to let the shift lever to slip out as the rail moves.

 

[used red MN]

Glad it worked for you. Here is the manufacturers parts catalog for your tractor. AGCO MF 202 parts catalog Section 210 will show you what you have going on. The “forks” that are half moon shaped ending with two prongs run in grooves in the gear. This allows the gears to spin yet be slid and held into position. Here is an example gear, this is from an IH tractor just to give you the concept of the groove. Example gear

 

[Caryc]

The prying through the fill hole works as stated. I've done it twice on my 202 until I finally figured out to be gentle when shifting the thing. If it doesn't want to go, let up on the clutch and use the clutch again. Normally that will work. If not, double clutch it again and try shifting it into another gear then shift into the gear you want. Once I learned to be gentle on the thing I have not had the problem again for like three years. For new guys with the problem, when I say prying, I mean very gently.

Be kind to your 202 and it will serve you well. I know when it happens, it's a very scary situation. One can imagine all kinds of terrible things but, the fix is very easy.

 

[John Deere D]

Good evening all,
I'm having an issue with my MF202 being stuck in 2nd (I think..). I removed the fill plug and see the square bolt piece (and the gear below) move forward and backward about 1/4" as I move the stick - which as well only moves a tiny amount. The large gear at the front is all the way forward - does it control only reverse or both reverse/1st? Could it actually be stuck in 1st now maybe? I've had issues with it being stuck in Reverse and can correct that. I recall maybe being stuck in 2nd before but it was a long time ago and it took quite a while to get it out. Things seem pretty solid as far as prying on the rearward gear you can see from the fill hole. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks
Paul

Pics on a work stand. I had to do a complete overhaul of Transmission..

 

[John Deere D]

Good evening all,
I'm having an issue with my MF202 being stuck in 2nd (I think..). I removed the fill plug and see the square bolt piece (and the gear below) move forward and backward about 1/4" as I move the stick - which as well only moves a tiny amount. The large gear at the front is all the way forward - does it control only reverse or both reverse/1st? Could it actually be stuck in 1st now maybe? I've had issues with it being stuck in Reverse and can correct that. I recall maybe being stuck in 2nd before but it was a long time ago and it took quite a while to get it out. Things seem pretty solid as far as prying on the rearward gear you can see from the fill hole. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks
Paul

Pics may add some clarity?

 

[Caryc]

Pics may add some clarity?

Sorry but, those pics tell me exactly nothing.

 

[John Deere D]

Sorry but, those pics tell me exactly nothing.

Thank you Caryc

 

[Caryc]

Thank you Caryc

What I'm saying is that the pictures don't tell me if I'm looking at something good or something with a problem. Looking at the pictures, I couldn't tell you which is first gear or anything else although I'm sure you know what you're doing in there. I've never looked a transmission in the face, so to speak and hopefully, I won't have to.

 

[stevieb49829]

Pics on a work stand. I had to do a complete overhaul of Transmission..

Pics on a work stand. I had to do a complete overhaul of Transmission..

In the last picture in this row, you can easily see the three detent springs sticking out of their bores. I'm assuming the cover is what compresses them down on their balls/plungers.

 

[John Deere D]

In the last picture in this row, you can easily see the three detent springs sticking out of their bores. I'm assuming the cover is what compresses them down on their balls/plungers.

Yes stevieb49829,you are correct.The cover is what compresses them down on their balls/plungers. For some of us,if we click on the photo or photos, the photo increases in size with more detail. Then,at least on my laptop screen,there is a + and a - to increase so as to see detail of the pics.

 

[John Deere D]

Pics on a work stand. I had to do a complete overhaul of Transmission..

For some of us,if we click on the photo or photos, the photo increases in size with more detail. Then,at least on my laptop screen,there is a + and a - to increase so as to see detail of the pics.