Unable to engage 4 wheel drive

[Pappa_farmer]

I try to engage the 4 wheel drive by pushing down the lever on the left side of the drivers seat. It does not engage the 4 wheel drive. No sounds can be heard of broken/loose/misaligned parts in the system. Any suggestions on what I can do to address this? My property is steep and sandy so without the 4 wheel drive I struggle with traction. Appreciate any advice! Thank you!

 

[bbxlr8]

Something to try: Not sure about your specific model, but on my older tractor and other traditional 4WD, it can sometimes help things to move the drivetrain slightly - rock or use engine to move a bit? Then engage

& welcome!

 

[RCW]

Like @bbxlr8 said, good place to start is what tractor you’re working with.

Is it the L355SS in your profile?

 

[rbargeron]

The picture is definitely a L355ss. The clue in the pic is the pto lever - the shuttle machines have a single-speed pto only L and N - without the 2nd speed H.

Regardless of model, a common cause of 4wd loss on these models is worn out coupling splines on the propeller shaft running forward below the engine. Its inside a telescoping tube which needs to be taken down for inspection.

In the diagram the couplings are Part 3. Part number is 37800-44520.

Lets hope that's all it is - beyond that it could be a failure in the front axle somewhere. Best luck, Dick B.

 

[chim]

Going in and out of 4WD in some tractors can be troublesome at times. Two things that have worked for me are (1) moving the tractor slowly while turning gently from side to side while keeping pressure on the 4WD lever. Or (2) using the FEL to lift the front wheels while keeping pressure on the 4WD lever.

 

[6869704x4]

Tire pressures good?
Does the lever go down and noting happens or does the lever not go down all the way?

 

[Pappa_farmer]

Something to try: Not sure about your specific model, but on my older tractor and other traditional 4WD, it can sometimes help things to move the drivetrain slightly - rock or use engine to move a bit? Then engage

& welcome!

Thank - I will try that

 

[Pappa_farmer]

Like @bbxlr8 said, good place to start is what tractor you’re working with.

Is it the L355SS in your profile?

Yes, it is a L355ss

 

[Pappa_farmer]

The picture is definitely a L355ss. The clue in the pic is the pto lever - the shuttle machines have a single-speed pto only L and N - without the 2nd speed H.

Regardless of model, a common cause of 4wd loss on these models is a worn out coupling splines on the propeller shaft running forward below the engine. Its inside a telescoping tube which needs to be taken down for inspection.

In the diagram the couplings are Part 3. Part number is 37800-44520.

Lets hope that's all it is - beyond that it could be a failure in the front axle somewhere. Best luck, Dick B.
View attachment 120634

Thank you for this! Sounds like it would be a fairly low cost repair if this is the issue. Do you know if there are fluids in this shaft that will spill out if I tear into it?

 

[Pappa_farmer]

Going in and out of 4WD in some tractors can be troublesome at times. Two things that have worked for me are (1) moving the tractor slowly while turning gently from side to side while keeping pressure on the 4WD lever. Or (2) using the FEL to lift the front wheels while keeping pressure on the 4WD lever.

Thank you! I did try option 2, used the loader to lift tractor front end up and drive in reverse in an attempt to verify if 4 wheel drive was engaging. No luck

 

[Pappa_farmer]

Tire pressures good?
Does the lever go down and noting happens or does the lever not go down all the way?

Thank you for your reply! To me it seems that the lever is pushed all the way down. Nothing happens. It stays in 2 wheel drive

 

[Pappa_farmer]

Tire pressures good?
Does the lever go down and noting happens or does the lever not go down all the way?

Tire pressure... seems a little low to me perhaps. What impact would that have?

 

[RCW]

The picture is definitely a L355ss. The clue in the pic is the pto lever - the shuttle machines have a single-speed pto only L and N - without the 2nd speed H.

Regardless of model, a common cause of 4wd loss on these models is a worn out coupling splines on the propeller shaft running forward below the engine. Its inside a telescoping tube which needs to be taken down for inspection.

In the diagram the couplings are Part 3. Part number is 37800-44520.

Lets hope that's all it is - beyond that it could be a failure in the front axle somewhere. Best luck, Dick B.
View attachment 120634

@Pappa_farmer - pay attention to what @rbargeron says.

We have a lot of very smart guys and gals here on OTT.

Your tractor is of the type Dick B is quite familiar with.

He’s a good resource.

 

[GeoHorn]

Thank you for this! Sounds like it would be a fairly low cost repair if this is the issue. Do you know if there are fluids in this shaft that will spill out if I tear into it?

It’s purely mechanical… no fluids.

 

[fried1765]

Thank you for this! Sounds like it would be a fairly low cost repair if this is the issue. Do you know if there are fluids in this shaft that will spill out if I tear into it?

No fluids !

 

[12251hd]

The front driveshaft coupler on my L35 stripped and was easy to replace--held by roller pin. But it made a rumble noise when engaged in 4 WD. Jack up front and make sure that's your problem before tearing into it. I found it easier to remove roller pin first and place in last as you will need the clearances to slide the coupler forward and aft for removal and reassembly. Good luck.

 

[GeoHorn]

My Front wheel driveshaft had a smashed cover so when I had it in the shop for a updated steering cylinder I asked the dealer to replace the cover.. He pointed out that my front coupler was “worn like the front ones typically do….” …… so he swapped it with the rear coupler which had no wear on it…. supposedly to give greater longevity to the system. (only 650 hrs on the tractor but the Previous Owner clearly used it in high brush and had crushed that cover.)

<edit> addt’l comment deleted due to bran-pharrt

 

[rbargeron]

On these models there's a 48T gear ( 21 ) inside the bottom gear case that slides back and forth to engage the front drive. The propeller shaft couplings don't slide except for tiny clearance at the roll pins that position them. If water gets into the tube it can rust the little splines in the couplings. They then slowly wear away - especially on machines that stay in 4wd a lot. Oil seal seepage at the front differential or bottom gearbox can wet the prop shaft and help preserve the couplings.

 

[GeoHorn]

On these models there's a 48T gear ( 21 ) inside the bottom gear case that slides back and forth to engage the front drive. The shaft couplings don't slide on the shaft except for tiny clearance at the roll pins that space them. Usually water gets into the tube and rusts the little splines. They then slowly wear away - especially on machines that stay in 4wd a lot. Oil seal seepage at either the differential or gearbox can preserve the coupling at that end.

View attachment 120846

Yep…as I said… I was confusing myself… rbargeron is correct…the front-axle drive-shaft couplings don’t slide in response to 4WD engagement or not.
The 4WD shaft/engagement is a entirely different shaft and coupling.