Sherman Shifter?

[Maj Dad]

I've been fooling around with old Fords for over 50 years, mostly as a user and not much of a fixer beyond routine maintenance. I recently bought a '52 8N to play with (and to drive around the area impressing the old women and little kids), and in learning more about them, I read the write-up on Smith's Old Ford Tractors on the Sherman transmission. On the left side of the tranny housing, there looks to be a Sherman shifter with the lever broken off (end of the lever is ragged like it fractured). Knowing only what I've read and seen on this and other sites, it looks like it is a combination transmission. How can I tell? It moves slightly (rattles) but I haven't gotten ham-handed in trying to shift it, either up-down or pull-out. The tractor runs fine in the regular/standard way and shifts easy. Any suggestions or comments? I would appreciate it! If I knew how to post it, I took a picture of it, but it is identical to this picture with the handle missing:

 

[Greg (2N) TX]

Can you see a center screw?
The combo has a center screw.
The step- up has a solid stud with a set screw inside.

 

[John in Mich]

Just like your 4 speed OE transmission, the clutch pedal must be depressed to shift. Your broken handle can be replaced. You may
find a used one for sale somewhere or you can contact Red Rock Manufacturing (see their website) and buy a new repop. I can't
imagine someone breaking the shift lever unless it became entangled in brush or tractor hit something solid. Putting a little
force on the lever to move it is not going to break it.

 

[Maj Dad]

Thanks for the replies!

It has a center screw exactly like the one in the picture. I found the Red Rock repro & if I can't find an original for $10 (like the one on Old Ford Tractors, "Sold" :| ) I'll get it. I also found a youtube video on how to shift it so after I get another shifter I should be able to get things rolling. Sure will help with a box blade & bouncing around in reverse!

I also did a Rube Goldberg nerd job & this is the picture of the broken shifter lever:
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...9c594ac7581408e9265f9c1a24f8d&oe=594089E2

 

[Den N Ms]

Maj Dad,That looks like grandpa cut it off with a hacksaw to keep the son or grandson from shifting it on the go.

 

[Maj Dad]

I considered that Den, but it feels ragged like it fractured. Won't really know till I pull it off to put on a new one & eyeball it. I know I have broken two toggle power switches on the left side of the dash with my left knee (no key ignition and the interlock starter button doesn't work)... Really want to fix the starter button - Gramps put a push-button switch under the left side of the top. Start in gear? NO problem! I'll get all these little things sorted out; the tractor is in decent shape & runs well, so I am thankful for the big things.

 

[Kirk-NJ]

If the shifter rattles thighten the Allen bolt. You should be able
to put vise grips or pipe wrench and get it to move. Since it's
broke it has probably been in the position for a long time so take
it easy trying to work it back and forth.
When you get your new handle if you are throughing out the old one
I would like to have it for a project I'm working on. Email is
open

Kirk

 

[Mdparrott]

Shift pattern is out and back for direct, in and forward for step down, in and back for step up.

 

[52geemsee]

It may have been purposely cut off. On my 640 with the Sherman combo, if you turn the front wheels hard to the left the pitman arms contacts the Sherman shifter and pushes it out of gear. The way the shifter looks in the pic would alleviate that problem..