Questions about my 384 transmission/differential

[Hunter02]

So I have a few questions about my International 384 because of an incident that happened.

So I was plowing my field before our Pennsylvania weather decided that it was gonna rain for the next week, and when I got lined up to make my next pass, I push in the clutch, shift into 2nd and low, and when I let off the clutch it started to bog down so I shift it into neutral and suddenly I start going in reverse. So I try to shift into reverse thinking that maybe it popped into reverse, but I can’t even get it into the channel for 1st and reverse. Since it’s in the field and all my tools are in my barn I call my uncle to see if he could use his tractor to pull mine out of the field into the yard. He was able to and we got it into my yard with only a few incidents, mainly the chain disconnecting, and I finish plowing the field with his tractor. Later I start my 384 to put it in the barn to get it out of the rain before I work on it, and I put it in 2nd out of habit and suddenly it started going forward. I try to put it in reverse and it goes right in, so my question is what happened, why did it happen, and should I be concerned?
And also is the differential pedal supposed to be difficult to engage and should the pin stick while engaged without the pedal holding it in or is that an issue as well?

 

[caterpillar guy]

Sounds like you may have had the lever and forks almost in the wrong places and towing it caused them to come out of the mixed up situation some how, I would carefully try driving it around and shift to just the forward gears and see what happens. Then if all seems fine try going into reverse and see what happens with careful shifting to see if you have a repeat of before . IF not then see if it goes in and out of just reverse fine or not. Let us know what happens.

 

[Hunter02]

Sounds like you may have had the lever and forks almost in the wrong places and towing it caused them to come out of the mixed up situation some how, I would carefully try driving it around and shift to just the forward gears and see what happens. Then if all seems fine try going into reverse and see what happens with careful shifting to see if you have a repeat of before . IF not then see if it goes in and out of just reverse fine or not. Let us know what happens.

Well I did just that two days ago when it happened, but I’ll test it out again later that way when I’m tilling it doesn’t happen again.

 

[JimB2]

A couple photos below from my IH Service manual.
One of the possible causes are Item #8 Gear Shift Lever in the photo below, the ball part on the end of the shift lever that fits into the shift rails for the shift fork becomes worn and it slips out of the shift rail before return the rail to the Neutral position and then you shift into another gear and transmission is in two gears at once. Common fix was to pull the shift lever, have a welder build up the ball end and then grind to proper size. Unfortunately on a 384 the transmission cover cannot be removed without unbolting and lifting hydraulic housing but shift lever can be removed from the top by pulling a pin a couple shafts.

Re Diff Lock, is the return spring still on the pedal? Pedal work freely? Lube the shaft that sticks out thru brake housing and work Diff Lock on and off with tractor stopped. If Diff lock doesn't unlock while driving, it indicates that there is still a difference in speed of the two rear axles by quickly tapping the left then the right brake that should release the Diff Lock, worst case stop tractor and put in rev and move a bit in rev. NEVER try to turn with Diff Lock engaged.

 

[used red MN]

The shifter obviously didn’t pull it out of reverse. There’s a lot of linkage on the shifter on those models. Just make yourself familiar with what grabs, slides or catches in the linkage to move it into reverse. If it does it again then you’ll know what to look for as far as what may have come out of place.

 

[Hunter02]

A couple photos below from my IH Service manual.
One of the possible causes are Item #8 Gear Shift Lever in the photo below, the ball part on the end of the shift lever that fits into the shift rails for the shift fork becomes worn and it slips out of the shift rail before return the rail to the Neutral position and then you shift into another gear and transmission is in two gears at once. Common fix was to pull the shift lever, have a welder build up the ball end and then grind to proper size. Unfortunately on a 384 the transmission cover cannot be removed without unbolting and lifting hydraulic housing but shift lever can be removed from the top by pulling a pin a couple shafts.

Re Diff Lock, is the return spring still on the pedal? Pedal work freely? Lube the shaft that sticks out thru brake housing and work Diff Lock on and off with tractor stopped. If Diff lock doesn't unlock while driving, it indicates that there is still a difference in speed of the two rear axles by quickly tapping the left then the right brake that should release the Diff Lock, worst case stop tractor and put in rev and move a bit in rev. NEVER try to turn with Diff Lock engaged.

How do I lube the shaft and what should I use to lube it?

 

[JimB2]

How do I lube the shaft and what should I use to lube it?

Spray on some of your favorite penetrating oil, work the Diff lock ON & OFF several times. If you work the tractor in dusty and dirty conditions you don't want too much grease or oil on the Diff Lock shaft as it will just collect dirt. After you have it working properly, apply a drop or two of engine oil on the shaft and wipe off the excess. Just use the Diff Lock occasionally to keep dirt and rust from accumulating on the shaft.