Start in high gear

Smf834

Member

Equipment
L2501dt
Nov 1, 2021
49
5
8
1a2b3c
Dumb question. When i want to start the tractor in high gear from a stop, do i need to adjust the throttle?

i put the gear in high, shifter in 1, and start letting the clutch out and i could tell the engine starts to stall. In low gear, the engine doesn’t exhibit any stalling.
 

DaveFromMi

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Equipment
L3901 RCR1260
Apr 14, 2021
610
530
93
Indiana
Keep engine speed above stall and you're golden in high gear.
 
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Smf834

Member

Equipment
L2501dt
Nov 1, 2021
49
5
8
1a2b3c
Can i switch to higher gear while in motion like a stick shift auto? I start in low gear and when i depress the clutch, the tractor keeps lurking to a stop.
 
Last edited:

muddhogg

Member

Equipment
Kubota L2501DT, Ford 3910
May 20, 2018
95
55
18
GA
Can i switch to higher gear while in motion like a stick shift auto? I start in low gear and when i depress the clutch, the tractor keeps lurking to a stop.
No, you must be at a complete stop before selecting another gear.
 
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DaveFromMi

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Equipment
L3901 RCR1260
Apr 14, 2021
610
530
93
Indiana
Most of the time I can shift from 6th or 7th to 8th (top gear, manual trans) while moving without grinding the gears.
Otherwise, I just let the clutch out slow and verify the RPMs don't drop too much.
 

GreensvilleJay

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BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
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Greensville,Ontario,Canada
re: Can i switch to higher gear while in motion like a stick shift auto?

NO !!!!!!

Unlike cars/trucks that have 'sychronizers', generally speaking tractors have straight cut gears and NO synchros, so any shifting of gears while in motion, makes for ungodly noise and chewed up tranny gears.
Now, IF, you get really ,really, really good you may be able to shift on the go, but it'll take years of practice and probably a few $$$$ repair bills.
The 'magic' of car trannies are the narrow, movable 'pregears' that allow the main gears to 'mesh' while at speed. probably a zillion pictures on the net to show how/why this happens.
You can easily pay $1K-2K for a set of 2 new gears for a tractor tranny, then $$$ to split tractor to replace them....
 

Smf834

Member

Equipment
L2501dt
Nov 1, 2021
49
5
8
1a2b3c
I tried with 1700 rpm, and tried to engage the clutch with High 1, and bit more gas, the engine still stutters. What did i do wrong?
 

Smf834

Member

Equipment
L2501dt
Nov 1, 2021
49
5
8
1a2b3c
No, it is good to go on Low 1-3, but above seems to stutters. My foot is completely off the clutch.
 

bucktail

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Equipment
L1500DT, 6' king kutter back blade, boom, dirt scoop ford disk JD212
Jun 13, 2016
1,251
189
63
MN
You need to figure out what is making it lurch to a stop when you press in the clutch. As mentioned, parking brake would be a good place to start.

Your trans is not synchronized. Double clutching and matching gears is quite difficult with a hand throttle. I've only met one guy that could do it well. Plus, I think that they put a bit of a bevel on the gears on the Roadmaster and similar transmissions used on semi's.
 

Fordtech86

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Lifetime Member

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L3200
Aug 7, 2018
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Pineville,LA
It will drive no problem (in low especially) with the brakes on. I would step firmly on the brakes and make sure the parking brakes lever releases and drops down. Next maybe jack the back of the tractor up (make sure its in 2wd) and verify the rear wheels spin freely with it in neutral.
 
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Smf834

Member

Equipment
L2501dt
Nov 1, 2021
49
5
8
1a2b3c
It was indeed the parking brake. Last person used it jammed it in so hard i didn’t bother to check. Thank you for helping a newbie:)
 
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GeoHorn

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Lifetime Member

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M4700DT, LA1002FEL, Ferguson5-8B Compactor-Roller, 10KDumpTrailer, RTV-X900
May 18, 2018
6,040
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Texas
Read your L2501DT Owners Manual. For example, my M4700DT is non-synchro and cannot be shifted…EXCEPT …in High 3/4 (which is 7/8) gears which are synchro. it’s not perfect and the shift must occur quickly…and I find it very easy to “double-clutch” if you know that term. (Old truckers term from the 1930’s/1940’s). Anyway… chances are your L2501DT is not synchro at all…but the manual may have an exception explained as my M4700DT did.)