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mmack · May 20, 2012

i have a H and a M i only use for a plow day once a year i leave them in the shed at my farm in the summer then in the fall i bring them home to my heated shop for the winter i have a dolly i pull one of them on useing the other i have been told the one in tow should be running is this true if so why

thanks mike

The Red · May 20, 2012

Personally I would not from a safety stand point. I see no real need for the one in tow to be running since you have the transmission in neutral.

El Toro · May 20, 2012

No need to have that tractor in tow running. You don't have power steering or brakes. Hal

Nebraska Cowman · May 20, 2012

Because only the top shaft will turn in the transmission and it will not be getting oiled. How far are you towing it? There is always some oil left on the bearings after you do run it so I don't see a short trip hurting it any.

The Red · May 20, 2012

When they sit for years on end, it is not getting oiled also. I think a running unoccupied tractor is dangerous if something goes wrong during transport.

Nebraska Cowman · May 20, 2012

Did I tell him to leave it running? I was just answering his question.

Janicholson · May 20, 2012

The simple solution is to put it in High gear and block (chain) down the clutch. This allows it to lube the trans. I would not do this to a graphite T/O bearing on the smaller old letter series, or Cub. If not exceeding 20 mph, I see no issues. if it was in use that day for a 2 to 3 mile trip. if longer, I would want to run it every 3 miles or so. Blocking the clutch seems easiest. Jim

Bob M · May 20, 2012

Jim - The throwout bearing is stationary when the engine is shut down (it bears on the clutch cover release fingers which rotate only when the engine is running.) So tying the clutch pedal down will not cause any wear on the T/O bearing as long as the engine stopped.

Consequently as long as the transmission is in high gear and the clutch is tied down, you can safely tow pretty much indefinitely and not be concerned about transmission lubrication.

On a more practical note, for many years I towed my Super H 10 - 15 miles to local shows and parades with the tranny in neutral and the engine shut down with no problems whatsoever. Doesn't mean this is a good idea - just that I never had tranny problems doing this.

Jim Becker · May 20, 2012

(quoted from post at 20:26:25 05/20/12) The simple solution is to put it in High gear and block (chain) down the clutch.

That will exercise the heck out of the throwout bearing, which I believe is just an oilite bushing on the H and M. I think leaving it in neutral is a better bet.

Janicholson · May 20, 2012

You are correct, My thinking was inconsistent with the idea of running it while towing. I stand corrected. I would lube the pilot! Jim

Janicholson · May 21, 2012

I did it too, see just below. Jim

MARK ROBKE · May 21, 2012

That is correct: you should let the towed vehicle idle in neutral.The reason is, when the output shaft(mainshaft) of ANY TRANS is rotating, it is not getting lubed if engine is not running. The bottom countershaft has to rotate to splash oil up onto mainshaft and it ONLY rotates with engine running. Ths bearings or bushings inside all of the gears on the mainshaft will burn up, IF you tow with engine off. I have built hundreds of manual transmissions. Also: do not leave in gear and tie down clutch pedal : YOU WILL BURN UP YOUR PILOT BEARING IN REAR OF FLYWHEEL. It is a common practice for tow truck operaters to let towed vehicle idle ; or else they pull driveshaft.
MARK

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