MF 6200 series gear shift

[Marmite Mac]

I have an MF6290 serial no J327004, so the earlier type range change, by knocking the gear change lever to the right whilst in the neutral position (from K304014 the range change became a button integrated into the pommel of the gear lever).

The gear change keeps jamming while the engine is running and certainly the first time you return to neutral after start up (so while still cold).

It really seems to be something jamming the transverse pin (the one that is rotated by the gear lever moving forward and back - 'A' in the manual), from sliding in and out of the side of the gearbox by the gear lever being moved side to side across the gate in neutral - it will move if forced really hard. Yesterday, after a short while running (no more than 5mins) it freed up and worked fine. Whether this was because the oil pressure had reached the correct level in all the right places or what, I don't know. It can't have been anything to do with oil temperature, because the tractor had barely moved.

If you stop the engine, the gate releases, but otherwise, it's a wrestle and you have to force the lever sideways. Is this the problem that the revised range change switch was intended to fix, and is it just an inherent problem with the original range change design? Or is there a fix for it?

 

[SRRC]

Are you sure the linkage is moving freely? It may be as simple as that.

 

[Marmite Mac]

Are you sure the linkage is moving freely? It may be as simple as that.

Good challenge, but yes it moves nicely when the engine's not running. From my analysis of the behaviour, I now reckon it is probably the hare / tortoise cylinder (The selector rail passes through it within the gearbox behind the selector cover on the right hand side) that is leaking oil and needs new seals.

 

[hoff135]

My 3075 will do this if you don't hold the stick to the left for a couple of seconds and allowing a proper change. Simply slapping the stick left results in the stick being extremely stiff to move side ways

Try holding the stick over for a few secs

 

[Marmite Mac]

My 3075 will do this if you don't hold the stick to the left for a couple of seconds and allowing a proper change. Simply slapping the stick left results in the stick being extremely stiff to move side ways

Try holding the stick over for a few secs

Wow, that's a brilliant suggestion, I never thought of that. I'll try it. Thanks.

 

[feilding]

That's how you're supposed to change range. I've had 3000,6200 series tractors, never rush the range change, if you do the tractor locks the gearstick to stop damage to gears.

 

[Nearly]

@masseybreaker

 

[Marmite Mac]

That's how you're supposed to change range. I've had 3000,6200 series tractors, never rush the range change, if you do the tractor locks the gearstick to stop damage to gears.

Thanks @feilding and @hoff135 that's helpful. Where is the switch that operates the hare lamp on the dashboard? I haven't seen any mention in the manual of it being operated by the selector mechanism and during my struggle to work out what's happening here I have found that the lamp has lit up when I have demanded 'hare' but the range has stayed in tortoise.

 

[hoff135]

Thanks @feilding and @hoff135 that's helpful. Where is the switch that operates the hare lamp on the dashboard? I haven't seen any mention in the manual of it being operated by the selector mechanism and during my struggle to work out what's happening here I have found that the lamp has lit up when I have demanded 'hare' but the range has stayed in tortoise.

I would assume the light is controlled by the computer. If its not changing after holding the stick over then I'd be looking at the hi lo solenoid on the side cover and the switch which is activated by pushing the gear stick over.

 

[feilding]

Thanks @feilding and @hoff135 that's helpful. Where is the switch that operates the hare lamp on the dashboard? I haven't seen any mention in the manual of it being operated by the selector mechanism and during my struggle to work out what's happening here I have found that the lamp has lit up when I have demanded 'hare' but the range has stayed in tortoise.

That's what happens. The gears get confused. Light doesn't match gear.and you have to start again. It's quicker to do it slower.

 

[Marmite Mac]

Thanks @feilding and @hoff135 I tried this morning holding the lever in the range change position for a reasonable pause, and it seems to have fixed everything!
Early days yet, and we'll need to see if the problem has definitely gone away, but it explains why the problem suddenly appeared from nowhere (tractor only just arrived) and seemed to get worse as I got more impatient!
Thanks for jumping in with your wisdom - which makes such sense now!