Stalled John Deere M

[RHV]

I have a 1949 John Deere M. I was driving it the other day when it coasted to a stop. I don"t think it"s a clutch problem as the pto and pulley function normally, and it seems to shift gears ok. There was no sound of anything breaking, the wheels just won"t turn. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Hotflashjr]

So if your PTO and belt pulley still work then the propeller shaft itself is still engaging. You say that it shifts fine, but still double check the lever under the rubber boot. There is a snap ring and bearing under there that could have let go which may keep the lever from correctly moving the forks into place even though it feels fine. My next thought would be something between the transmission and the differential let go or in the differential. Can you roll the tractor around while it is in gear?

 

[Mike M]

Wonder if one of your cast iron wheel centers let go ? I had sold a few to people where the splines got wallered out. It can be a problem on these tractors. Also seemed to happen on one side more then the other.
Have someone watch to see if the nut on the end of the axle turns but maybe your wheels don't.

 

[RHV]

yes, we can push the tractor around in gear, maybe the problemm's in the rear end. RHV

 

[M-MAN]

Here I was ready to tell you to tune that M up cause an M won't stall. It will flip first unless you put a stack of wieghts up front.

A gear letting go should have made a racket. Sounds more like the axle spline or hub stripped.

 

[Hotflashjr]

I do remember hearing before that the hub splines can strip out. I am going to agree with M-Man and Mike M on that. That is going to be the easiest thing to check next and Mike's suggestiong on how to go about that sounds good.

 

[Karl in MD]

Could be the upper shaft in the final drive. We broke one years ago. They were weak where the drive splines from the diff pinions met the splines for the brake discs. PITA to change.