M stuck in 3rd gear

Jerry RV · Dec 20, 2008

I have a 1948 M and it is stuck in 3rd gear. I have not used much force and am wondering what the best way would be to get it out of gear

Janicholson · Dec 20, 2008

There is a pin that holds the shifter into the tower casting. The pin is under two small pressed in caps. Remove the left cap with a drill a nd sheet metal screw to pull it out, then drive the pin out the other side with a punch. Pull out the lever. Put a big screw driver into the hole and move the shift rails until they line up. the middle rail will be moved forward, it needs to be moved to the rear to align. The tip of the shift lever probably needs to be welded up a bit and reground to fit the rails better. the pin driven out must also be renewed if worn, (most are) Match the pin with the shank of a grade 8 bolt, and make one. Put the plugs back in and a dab of RTV on the hole to seal it from grit and weather. JimN

mkirsch · Dec 20, 2008

What do you mean by stuck?

Will the tractor move?

Will the shift lever move?

It's very common for these old tractors to get stuck in two gears at once. The main symptom of this is that the tractor won't move when you let out the clutch no matter what gear you put it in. Sometimes the gears will jam and you can't shift it either.

The cause of this is the nub on the end of the shift lever gets worn and slips out of the shift forks. To get it unstuck, you need to remove the lever and manually pry the shift forks back to neutral. To fix it permanently, you need to build up the end of the shift lever with weld and reshape it back to its "new" form.

If the tractor is in 3rd, will move in 3rd, but you can't move the shift lever, you may have major problems inside the transmission. You may have to remove the transmission cover and figure out what is wrong.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 20, 2008

You will have an easier time getting the shift rails lined up if you tie the clutch down to release the pressure on the tranny.

glennster · Dec 21, 2008

were you using the tractor when it got stuck, or did it sit and when you went to use it, it was stuck in gear? could also be ice in the gearcase. remove the oil fill plug up on the deck near the shifter and look down inside with a flashlite to see if there is ice in there. if so, you need to get a heater to thaw the ice and drain the water out. sometimes a dipstick type heater and side in there to warm everything up. worth a peek anyhoo.

M stuck in 3rd gear

Jerry RV

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Janicholson

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mkirsch

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

glennster

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