Farm Equipment - Transmission lockup when shift plate is installed

Print Page | Close Window

Transmission lockup when shift plate is installed

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=198514
Printed Date: 24 Sep 2024 at 9:36am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Transmission lockup when shift plate is installed

Posted By: Don kissler
Subject: Transmission lockup when shift plate is installed
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2023 at 10:24am

New to the forum. I bought a Allis Chalmers CA at the auction. The note on the tractor stated, "locked up in second gear". I removed the side shift plate and was able to put the tractor in neutral very easily with my finger. The gears look fine. When I reinstall the shift plate the transmission is locked after each attempt. I saw where someone recommended putting every thing in reverse and then reinstall the shift plate. That did not work either. An inspection of the shift plat looks normal. Could the shift paddles be bent? Not sure how to fix this. I'm stumped!

Replies:

Posted By: dfwallis
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2023 at 11:27am

I'd guess the shifter forks themselves. When I first pulled mine out of the fence row after 35+ years, I was unable to get it into any gear. It was stuck in neutral. But it slowly loosened up after quite a bit of (somewhat gentle) repeated prodding.

Posted By: Leadoff
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2023 at 12:39pm

Don Kissler

I have a D15 Series II that has a very worn Shifting Lever and Forks etc. Your CA Shifter/Forks is probably similar to the D15. The gears on my D15 all work fine. Shifting is the problem area. Here is a thread that might give you some ideas

https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/topic180913.html" rel="nofollow - D 15 won't back up - AllisChalmers Forum - Page 1

My 0.02$ (CDN) worth of advice.........following the Shifting Pattern as closely as possible with a slight downward pressure on the shifter lever knob is essential to engaging the gears properly.

I have removed the Shifter Lever (very tedious effort, steady hands, don't lose the little "chucks" that the Shifter pivot ball sits on, 180 degrees apart) and have moved the Forks with a long screwdriver. This exercise should show if the Forks can move forwards and backwards.

Looking down the empty Shifter hole you can see the "channel" the Shifter tip ball moves thru when the Forks are all aligned in Neutral. Hence, very important perfect alignment to the Shift Pattern to only engage one of the Forks (left/middle/right)

Hope this helps you.........keep us posted

-------------
1963 D17D Series III. 1965 D15 Series II. 1965 D17 Series IV. 1975 185. 1978 716H. 1979 716H. 1965 780 Harvester/1R&DC. 1957 Model 73 SC 4 Furrow Plow

Posted By: ACinSC
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2023 at 3:37pm

Hey Robert, I wondered if my Series 1 D 15 was similar. Probably shouldn't say this but I haven't had any trouble with mine since. My theory is that I pulled my tractor in the shop in second gear and somehow kicked the shifter getting off.Thanks for sharing this!

Posted By: Leadoff
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2023 at 6:12pm

Exactly what I was thinking! Lots of similarities to our challenges with the shifting. I have read of others on this Forum, and Yesterdays Tractors (D series, older models WD, CA).

Glad to hear you have had smooth sailing with your D15

I really concentrate on the Shift Pattern when shifting. And you are right, there is not a lot of room between the seat and the Shifter Lever when in Second/Reverse Gear - barely enough for a big work boot!!

Good to hear from you

-------------
1963 D17D Series III. 1965 D15 Series II. 1965 D17 Series IV. 1975 185. 1978 716H. 1979 716H. 1965 780 Harvester/1R&DC. 1957 Model 73 SC 4 Furrow Plow

Posted By: Leadoff
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2023 at 6:25pm

Don Kissler

Here is an excellent thread from another Forum - Yesterdays Tractor, re an Allis Chalmers WD-45 with stuck gears

https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=ac&th=51928" rel="nofollow - WD-45 stuck in gear - Yesterday's Tractors (yesterdaystractors.com)

About half way down, Bryan Smith has itemized an excellent procedure to remove the Shifter Lever and check operation of the Forks, possible improvements

Good luck

-------------
1963 D17D Series III. 1965 D15 Series II. 1965 D17 Series IV. 1975 185. 1978 716H. 1979 716H. 1965 780 Harvester/1R&DC. 1957 Model 73 SC 4 Furrow Plow

Posted By: ACinSC
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2023 at 5:53pm

Yeah Robert, I now make a point of putting shifter in first gear before I get off
Good to hear from you also! Thanks

Posted By: Don kissler
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2023 at 4:22pm

I tried every suggestion to reinstall the CA shift plate without the gears locking. I would say I must have tried 20 times! Decided to examine the shift plate very closely
I took a small square and determined that one of the shift forks was bent about a quarter of an inch. Found a used shift on Ebay
When I received the plate it was a bit rusty but there was little or no wear. Cleaned it up and soaked it in oil over night. When I installed it the transmission was again locked up. After a close inspection I found that the reverse gear was causing the problem. Got a.piece of wire, bent it to hold the reverse gear in neutral as I installed the shift plate. just before closing the cover I pulled out the wire. The plate was now installed. It was not locked up and all the gears work properly. I had the rear wheels jacked up so all I needed to do is turn one of the rear tires to determine the transmission status. Thanks for all your suggestions.

Posted By: ACinSC
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2023 at 5:49am

Sounds like you figured it out Don. Good luck!

Posted By: Leadoff
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2023 at 2:03pm

Don kissler

Congrats on your efforts to get your shifting mechanism working. Very ingenious solutions to get it back together.

Self discovery is very powerful.........a nice feeling to figure something out

Thanks for sharing

-------------
1963 D17D Series III. 1965 D15 Series II. 1965 D17 Series IV. 1975 185. 1978 716H. 1979 716H. 1965 780 Harvester/1R&DC. 1957 Model 73 SC 4 Furrow Plow