500 forklift won’t go into gear?
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Construction and other equipment
Forum Description: everything else with orange (or yellow) paint
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=210599
Printed Date: 17 Sep 2026 at 5:27pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 500 forklift won’t go into gear?
Posted By: Compton1496
Subject: 500 forklift won’t go into gear?
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2026 at 11:32am
| I’m going tomorrow to pick up a 500 forklift, unaware of year or anything. Getting a pretty good deal on it, the seller says he shut off one day and the next it wouldn’t go in to gear? He says he thinks linkage may have came apart internally. I’ve never looked at this in person yet (4.5 hours from me). Is there a common issue that might cause this? I’m unsure if he means the transmission wont go into gear or the shuttle. He has it listed has a hydrostatic transmission, I don’t think that’s the case? As far as all the research I’ve done thus far so maybe he isn’t too sure about the machine. Just trying to get an idea of what I might be getting into. Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: tbran
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2026 at 5:05pm
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Shhh... it is a D15 shuttle shift. More than likely the shifting fork has slipped between the shifting lugs. Pull the snap ring - remove the shifter and use a long slim screw driver to get into neutral and reinstall shifter and be careful to push the laver left or right hard before moving fore and aft. It has no reverse. The other issue is the shuttle clutch may have eaten the ridge on the shifter off and the shift collar on the power director clutch is not moving thus it is in neutral - it will have to be split. We used to cut the frame in a down back and down cut and reweld when completed - saves quite a few hours to the customer who would allow this. After cutting and supporting the frame simply unbolt the unit at the clutch and perform repairs and reweld side frames. The dealer here in the 60's sold over 50 500/600's to loggers, lumber yards and brick layers. We had a diesel unit that had over 20,000 hours -and yes it was worn out in every way and had everything replaced many times. The RH steering arm gave the most trouble. Craig Sawmill was the record owner. ------------- When told "it's not the money,it's the principle", remember, it's always the money.. |
Posted By: Compton1496
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2026 at 6:19pm
| Thanks for the reply, it will give me a start to look into it. I appreciate it and will update once I have it back home and start digging in! |
Posted By: Compton1496
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2026 at 7:30pm
| Okay after getting it home and checking it out better I think the shuttle is working…. It’s making a grinding noise up front. Possibly something with the differential? Engine is loading when shuttle is moved both directions |
Posted By: acjwb
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2026 at 9:22pm
| Is that the one in WV? Let us know what the problem is. Thanks |
Posted By: Compton1496
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2026 at 9:23pm
| Yes it is, I’m thinking it’s something with the differential which looks like a absolute pain to get to |
Posted By: Compton1496
Date Posted: 13 May 2026 at 8:32pm
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Well I finally got the time to dig into it a couple weeks ago and turns out the right axle shaft sheared off right where the splines start. Differential was giving all the power to that side. Found a junk yard rear end threw it on and has been running “good” it’s definitely been used well over the years, but does just fine for what I’m needing it for. Shuttle clutch seems to be getting hot, smoke rolls out of the breather every now and then, my thoughts were because it has no neutral lock so the clutch is slightly engaging when the lever leans forward? Was missing a throttle cable, couldn’t source one so I bought a $20 mercuriser throttle cable off Amazon and fabricated my own brackets to hold it in place. |
Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 13 May 2026 at 10:13pm
| ..let's hope the shuttle clutch compartment is full of fluid..... |
Posted By: Compton1496
Date Posted: 14 May 2026 at 4:07am
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SteveM C/IL wrote:Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 14 May 2026 at 4:38am
IIRR, there are 3 compartments, from the engine, to the rear so to speak, hydraulic, then PD(shuttle clutch), then rear end... ------------- Source: Babylon Bee. Sponsored by BRAWNDO, its got what you need! |
Posted By: Compton1496
Date Posted: 14 May 2026 at 5:03am
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I thought that the pd and hydraulic were joined, at least on the d-15 I thought it was. How would you check the level for the Shuttle clutch, there’s no dip stick for it/ mine is missing. The breather I’m talking about is about an inch wide and about 3inches tall. I have a dip stick for the trans/rear end, the breather cap for the shuttle clutch, then the dip stick for the hyd. |
Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 14 May 2026 at 4:23pm
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If it were mine, I'd remove the breather, and stick a stick or a wire down the hole, till it hits bottom, then measure the fluid height. Post the results here, and someone will let you know what the level should be. I would do a WAG, and say you want it less than half full when the fluid is warm, more when its been standing... ------------- Source: Babylon Bee. Sponsored by BRAWNDO, its got what you need! |
Posted By: Compton1496
Date Posted: 14 May 2026 at 4:29pm
| Looking down the hole it is about half way up the clutch shaft |
Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 14 May 2026 at 8:33pm
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Well that rules out low fluid. Next question is is it the right fluid? Does it have an inspection panel on the side opposite of the lever? ------------- Source: Babylon Bee. Sponsored by BRAWNDO, its got what you need! |
Posted By: Compton1496
Date Posted: 14 May 2026 at 9:20pm
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I used hytran in it, no inspection cover on opposite side, has a cover with the oil lines going in on lever side. I think something wrong with pump, I used tonight to move some dumpsters into shop for welding, unloaded a trailer and loaded a trailer with dumpsters. Started blowing hot oil out breather so I took it back up to shop (about a 200 yard drive up hill). Housing was hot, oil was hot, but oil lines were both cool making me believe it’s not circulating. Went to park lift and acted like it didn’t want to go into neutral. Shut off and went to get some of my welding done, when I came out to look at it and see what was going on will Drive forward but as soon as i tried to go in reverse would stall out. Hated to operate it with still having issues but I’m so far behind with my work couldn’t really afford not too. 
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