OH no, time to split the 300u?

Started the tractor up to take it for a little ride today. She started fine, I warmed it up and let out the clutch and it just stalled. Strange I thought. Tried turning the wheel and the front tires were frozen to the ground from the melting/cold/melting we've been having. I pulled the tractor back a bit with the truck incase it was just frozen in. Started it again and it will stall in 1st gear or in neutral. It doesn't seem like the clutch is gone, there are no big noises or anything. I would think if the clutch is completely shot it wouldn't be kicking in the governor, which it is doing in the higher gears. The inside of the inspection cover is full of engine oil which is of course not good but there are not any big pieces falling out and no burnt smell. The throwout bearing seems to be working as it should and the clutch fingers and springs are all in place. I was hoping to put off splitting it until the spring so I can clear snow but looks like it might be time unless somebody knows something that I can check next. I did notice third gear is pretty stiff to get into with the shifter, could it be stuck between gears? I did drain a lot of water out of the transmission in early November so it wouldn't freeze. I did take the cover off of the TA while I was there. Is there a way to know if it is in good condition just from a visual like this? It is WAY out of adjustment because the lever will push the clutch pedal down when it's yanked back, almost like a previous owner wanted to use it as a hand clutch. I don't know if the thing has ever been used. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all.

sounds like its frozen , just a guess .

Probably stick in two gears at once! Take out the
three bolts that hold the shifter to the platform
and remove it. Use a LED light or good flashlight
and look into the hole. All the slots in the
shift rails must be lined up across the middle.
If one is not, use a large screwdriver, or small
pry bar to make it so. Clutch down and TA lever
back helps. Look in the archives here for a
picture of the tip of the shifter. It may be worn
and need to be built up. Jim
Jim

I was thinking it was frozen but it was about 3 degrees C today and I've been on it just last week when it was -12C. I'll give that shifter plate a try and see what's going on in there, thanks.

if you do split, please post with your progress, i might have to split my 300U one day and some insight might be good. pics would be great too....thanks Mike

It takes several days below freezing for the water in the transmission to freeze, and it takes several days above freezing for it to thaw.

Just because you drove it in -12, and it warmed up to 3 today, really doesn't mean anything.

3 degrees C is 37 degrees F. -12 C is 25 F, if my math is right. It will depend on how long it was -12/25 to freeze it, if only a night or two, I doubt if it froze. If constant 2 days it probably did.

Okay it's official, I'm an idiot! I took the shifter off, checked things out, there is wear but not as bad as I was thinking it would be. Put it back together and tried it again and I was moving again. Got cold again and 5th gear was jammed again. I pulled it back with the truck and the tires were turning but no go. I cursed a few times and my wife said "didn't you drain the water like you said you were going to?" I knew I did but I crawled under anyway and realized I drained the plug on the trans. but didn't get back to the diff. plug. After a nice hour long fire under it I got it thawed and the fluid changed, well gee it works great now, LOL!