c100 hi/lo stuck in neutral.

[rustyoldjunk 127]

i asked this question over at the MTF forum but im looking for fast advise so im going to ask here too.i just got a C 100 8 speed that is in very nice condition.it had set outside for a few years.after changing the silenoid,cleaning the points and priming it.it fired up and ran great the mower engauged smooth and seems fine.the tranny will shift thru all 3 speeds and reverse and it rolls fine but the range selector is stuck in neutral.i dont know if it was this way when parked,it was a trade in parked out back and left there,or if this happened from sitting.i was hoping to use this as my main mower.is this a common problem?what could cause this and what are the solutions? im hoping for an easy fix but my luck nothing short of splitting the case will fix it and i dont have time for that right now.thanks for any and all advice.jim

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,642]

Does the selector move at all and just not select the gear, or does it not move at all?

[TT-(Moderator) 1,156]

Without being there looking at the tractor and trying to move the shifter, it would be hard to diagnose.

The bad part is -- there is no neutral position on the range selector on the 6 & 8 speed transaxles.... they're either in high or low range - not in between. (that's why you need to be completely stopped before shifting them.)

It's not uncommon for a hi-lo shifter to be "stuck" either.

Make sure the key(s) on the rear wheel hubs (and the input pulley) are not sheared first. If they are OK, then it's probably internal. (Might be a sheared key or possibly even a broken gear or shaft. )

You'll know when you split the case. :whistle:

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,642]

You sure about there being no neutral on the hi-low shifter? Once the 414 slipped between the two and the tractor went no where :whistle:

[TT-(Moderator) 1,156]

You sure about there being no neutral on the hi-low shifter? Once the 414 slipped between the two and the tractor went no where

Allow me to clarify :

There is no neutral positon on the shifter. (like some of the old Sears tractors had)

The ability does exist for the sliding gear to be in between the other two to where the tractor won't move, but it's a very small "window" and doesn't usually occur.

I've never witnessed a shifter being stuck in this position though.

It's usually related to a bent shift fork, or broken parts. If it was "over-shifted", it could have moved past the detent ball far enough that it is caught, and it won't allow it to move back to "normal" position. That would be very unlikely though. :whistle:

[rustyoldjunk 127]

the shifter is in the middle position and wont go either way into hi or lo.there is a small amout of back and forth play.the keys appear good.i have been around a few wheel horses but never seen or heard of this.this does bite because this thing appears to have been well cared for and starts runs so nice i wanna drive it NOW. if i have to tear it apart it could be months before i get to it.guess i could look for another tranny to bolt up until i could get to this one.jim

[Rollerman 290]

Jim I'm guessing you have already drained the trans case already & put in some fresh oil.

Was there any water in it when you dumped it?

You mentioned it sat outside a while....is the boot at the base of the shifter in good shape?

They tend to collect water in them if sat outside unprotected over the seasons & worse yet if the rubber shifter boot is torn up.

My guess is the trans had some moisture get in there & started things rusting up a bit.

Try filling it with some ATF or even Keroseen to the fill mark to break up some of the gunk up...see if things free up more...then dump it out again & add fresh oil.

I had an 8 speed that was stuck on the hi side once & was given that tip & it worked.

If that don't help....looks like you'll be splitting the cases for a look see.... :whistle:

[Rod(NASNUT) 1]

:whistle: Where are you from I have an 8-speed it came off of a 1971 Raider 12 I dont know if it will fit yours or not someone on here would know that let me know .

[rustyoldjunk 127]

well tickster,you hit the water thing on the head.the shift boot is pretty much gone.i just did drain the case got close to 2 12 ounce coffee cans of water out first then about a 12 ounce and half another can of nasty looking lube.dont know if that is the problem but im getting ready to fill it back with some rust busting stuff and find out.btw did you just let it soak and how long or did you run it to curculate it? i hope this works but knowing my luck..... Rod,if you were closer i would take you up on that tranny.im in indiana.

[Rollerman 290]

I can't remember if I used ATF or Keroseen?

The Keroseen may cut the gunk better though in your case.

Either will work...just fill it to the full level & drive it a bit...or put it on jackstands & let it run a while.

Check the shifter from time to time.

[rustyoldjunk 127]

well to make matters worse,while it was sitting out back as a trade in someone must have needed a drive pulley.that is a bad thing about the dealership it came from,if they needed a part they would just go outback and pull it off a good machine. with all the parts around here i dont a pulley for it.so i will have to go buy one.i will let it soak a day or three until i get one and get it on.anybody know the correct size pulley.shaft (inside),outside diamater,and pulley width?

[TT-(Moderator) 1,156]

anybody know the correct size pulley.shaft (inside),outside diamater,and pulley width?

6 1/4" O.D. -- 21/32" belt

Shaft diameter is 5/8"

If you want a cheap OEM pulley, send me a PM. :whistle:

[sorekiwi 761]

I can't remember if I used ATF or Keroseen?

Do you think that because there is no input pulley on the tractor that the gears could be hitting each other instead of going into engagement? Can you wiggle the input shaft a bit as you try to move the shifter into H or L?

I would fill the trans with ATF (put a lot in so it gets up around the shift rails) and let it all soak a bit, rock it round a bit, try to wiggle the shift levers around, and when you get a pulley on it run it and let the gears splash it round for a while. If the H/L starts to work, drive it round a bit then dump it and refill with the proper amount of gearbox oil.

I freed up the completely locked up trans on an old Lawn-ranger with a mixture of ATF and Kerosene (about a pint of each). The tractor was in the bed of my truck, and I didnt tie it down so it would rock backwards and forwards as I drove to work and back. It came free all of a sudden, not gradual at all. (FWIW I dont know how good this trans is as the motor was locked up too, so I couldnt try it. It had no oil in it at all (it'd all been "floated" out through the axle seals) and had about 2 quarts of crystal clear water in it.)

Good luck, and thanks again for the 753!

[rustyoldjunk 127]

soreKiwi,i've tried spinning the shaft and wheels (with the rear end jacked up) i got more clear water out of mine than lube.i have it soaking now and am getting a pulley from TT so i will let it soak a few days and see what happens.jim