M8540 transmission will not pull up a hill after backing down

[Airdriver]

Actually two things. Most hours on the tractor are with 8 foot Bushog.

1. Back down a hill and stop and try to go uphill, no movement. Shuttle forward, release clutch, nothing.

2. Clutch pedal will not return to full UP position. Will go down only 2 to 3 inches and return.

Tractor is sometimes used in the woods, but nothing is obviously wrong under the tractor where clutch, shuttle, etc are attached.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Can you tell me exactly which model you have, there are quite a few models (21 to be exact) and several different clutch setups.

 

[Airdriver]

M8540 HD

Apologize for not being more accurate in 1st post.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

No need to Apologize, it's just that I know this model have many variations.

Well you do not have a mechanical clutch disk, you only have a hydraulic clutch.
With these it's really common for the cable that controls the hydraulic clutch to get caught by debris and either get damaged, stretched or knocked out of whack.
Look at these parts real close for any damage.

 

[Airdriver]

Thanks for the suggestion and the diagram!

Odds are very good that this is the problem, as the drive train seems to have enough to move on flatish surfaces. I will look at it this a.m.

Can not see the upper portion of the clutch on quick examination, so it looks like some sheet metal will have to come off.

I am guessing it is not normal for the shuttle not to fully engage when on hills. To some extent it did this previously when I was working a big manure pile on the side of gentle hill.

 

[Tx Jim]

It wouldn't hurt to check hyd pressure if there's a test port. How long since hyd filters were changed?

 

[Airdriver]

The spring marked 100 on the diagram seems to be missing, although I do not yet have the orange plastic cowl over the clutch assembly (and instrument cluster) totally off.

With 4 obvious fasteners off, the cowl is loose except at the center top where it is tight.

Is there another fastener at the center top, or is there simply a friction hold clip that will pop right off. I do not want to break anything by forcing off what I think may be a friction hold if in fact there is another fastener to remove.


Tx Jim: Thank you for the suggestion. Both hyd filters were changed about 210 hrs ago and fluid on dipstick looks like new.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Here is a layout of the rear hood cover, hope this helps.

 

[Airdriver]

I ordered a spring which should be here soon. BTW, Messicks said they had sold only 5 in the last two years and Winchester Equipment said the same. Lucky me!

The last bolt, #70 on the diagram, is behind a piece of tape and is exactly at the level of the arc of the hood (bonnet). Whether up, down, or in between, I do not have a tool short enough to take that bolt out without removing the hood, which I have not yet done.

My wife with her tiny hands thinks she can get the spring into place.

We will try the trick of putting the spring in a vice and extending it, inserting washers to keep it extended. It might even work!

 

[Bulldog]

I'm curious to see if that one spring fixes the problem. Looks like if that's all that was wrong the clutch pedal could have been held up by foot, put the shuttle in forward and drove it out.

Of course it wouldn't be the first time a $2 part shut down the entire operation.

 

[Tooljunkie]

I cut a notch into a long flat screwdriver to aid in placing a spring. Also have a t handle with a tiny hook to pull the spring if needed.

Hope that solves it.
Lifting on a pedal to engage clutch may not work- the cable may just flex.

 

[Airdriver]

That may be true. All I know is that the spring is missing. But it is troubling that I cannot pull the clutch pedal full up, especially if a spring could....

 

[Bulldog]

It's so easy to get sticks jammed into places they shouldn't be while bushhogging. I bet you're going to find something is bent or at least out of adjustment before this is over. Maybe you'll get lucky and it's something simple that does break your wallet.

 

[Airdriver]

Curiously, this is all about a spring. More details soon.