4WD won't engage L3830

[Mrmoore]

I have a L3830 with 500 hrs on it. The 4wd drive just quit working. I don't have any idea of what's wrong. The linkage is good, not bent and appears to shift in trans. The front wheels turn without noise or friction.

I did run it in high gear in 4wd the day before but it ran fine for a day. Trans fluid was a little low but refilled it.

 

[bcbull378]

I have a L3830 also sometimes to make it go into 4WD easy I throttle down make sure tractor is on flat ground take your foot off the brake let the tractor relax and it should slip right in . I do the same thing with my 53 Willys CJ3B. Hope this helps.....Dan

 

[Mrmoore]

Dan, no go on the easy shift attempt. It feels like the shift shaft is moving but there is nothing inside moving. It had been difficult to shift, but now it's easy. That makes me think that the shift rod inside has come loose. Any ideas?

Mark

 

[bcbull378]

Id have someone move the shift lever while you watch the linkage maybe something simple like a roll pin has sheared off . GOOD LUCK......Dan

 

[Mrmoore]

Looked at the roll pin. It's fine. I took a look at the front shaft. I slid the covers back and turned it by hand and the front wheels operated properly. 6-8 inches from the rear of the front shaft there is bolt with loose pin in it. I removed the bolt and could see more of the shaft ( or another section of it ) shifting into the 4wd position the shaft didn't move when I rotated the front shaft by hand. When I shifted to 2wd position this shaft rotated when I turned the front shaft. Idea?

Cheers
Mark

 

[birddogger]

Try jacking up just one front wheel, put it in 4WD position and see if you can turn that wheel. If it turns something is wrong; look at the drive shaft, if it doesn't turn the problem is in the front axle, if it does turn the problem is in the transmission. That may have been what you said but the dog chewed up my glasses and things are a little fuzzy.