MF 5455 Speed Shift Operation

[LH Ranger]

I volunteer as a ranger and occasionally drive a MF 5455. I would love some advice about the correct use of the speed shift function. I know it changes the transmission gearing but the manual says it should only be used for short periods when the tractor needs more draft. But as I don’t do any cultivation work (only use the tractor with a tree grab and for flail moving) I am not sure what that means. Others who use the tractor just keep it oermantly in the higher gear speed shift option, so ‘faster’ on the road. But is that correct / OK?

 

[Sausage]

We have two, one with 18,000 hrs on it. Just use which ever gear we need for whatever operation. I personally set off on the road in C or low splitter, changing up into D or high splitter once into 4th gear.

When ploughing or whatever happily change up and down between C and D depending on conditions and how hard the engine is working.

It is designed to be used on the move under load. So long as it isn’t abused and you tweak the throttle to match engine and gearbox speeds when pressing the button then it shouldn’t give you any bother.

Changing between snail and hare range is different and you should ideally stop. Once in the range no worries about load on the transmission.

 

[Cowabunga]

I volunteer as a ranger and occasionally drive a MF 5455. I would love some advice about the correct use of the speed shift function. I know it changes the transmission gearing but the manual says it should only be used for short periods when the tractor needs more draft. But as I don’t do any cultivation work (only use the tractor with a tree grab and for flail moving) I am not sure what that means. Others who use the tractor just keep it oermantly in the higher gear speed shift option, so ‘faster’ on the road. But is that correct / OK?

I think you must have misread or certainly misunderstood the manual. You can use and change the ratios of the speed shift at any time and run the tractor in either low or high for as long as you like. Just use the ratio that suits what you are doing. It’s not the smoothest of power-shifts but you can use the throttle as you change at road speed just as you would changing the main gears to help smooth it out. In the field, it just doesn’t matter and it shifts under load just fine. The speed shift is changed using the red button. The green button changes the range box from high to low or vice-versa and can only be done while at a halt.

Somewhat confusing perhaps is that the indicator lights on the dash for speed shift ratio engaged are labelled C and D. The A and B are not used on speed shift tractors and are there for use on different tractor models which have the four speed powershift ‘Dynashift’ transmissions fitted.

Hope that helps.

What can wear out on these tractors is a damper on the flywheel. There have been several versions over the years and they are generally long lasting and no different to similar dampers fitted to several other brands of tractors, such as New Holland [it wore out on my NH8360 at 7000 hours]. If clutch uptake becomes very sudden and there is a bad rattling noise when the engine is shut down, best split the tractor and change the damper. This is very very seldom needed but easy and not too expensive if done before it causes damage to the transmission.

 

[LH Ranger]

Thanks so much for your help Cowabunga and Sausage. Much appreciated.

For info this is what it says in the manual:
4.4.3 - Speedshift
Each speed can be increased or decreased during travel by
activating the "Speedshift" button (2 Fig. 2) without de-
clutching. The indicator light of the engaged ratio (C or D) is
displayed on the instrument panel (4) (Fig. 2).
The Speedshift should be used when the tractor needs additional draft for a short period of time.

It was the last line that confused me.

 

[Cowabunga]

Thanks so much for your help Cowabunga and Sausage. Much appreciated.

For info this is what it says in the manual:
4.4.3 - Speedshift
Each speed can be increased or decreased during travel by
activating the "Speedshift" button (2 Fig. 2) without de-
clutching. The indicator light of the engaged ratio (C or D) is
displayed on the instrument panel (4) (Fig. 2).
The Speedshift should be used when the tractor needs additional draft for a short period of time.

It was the last line that confused me.

Take no notice of that sentence in the book. Use Speedshift just as you would use any other overdrive/underdrive or even a manual synchromesh splitter. Don't be afraid to use it at any time. What it probably means is that it is particularly useful if you are in the higher splitter ratio and the load on the engine increases, then the button can be pressed to a lower ratio on the go without breaking traction. Once the load decreases, just press the button to revert to the higher ratio.

Just use it. It is there to be used.