1370 Stopped .. Won't Move

Well well, now I have TWO 1370 with seemingly the same issue, maybe? The one I bought last December has been a solid workhorse, put a lot of hours on it this year. Has run like a champ since rebuilding injection pump, replacing turbo, and replacing an injector.

However, today I started it, pushed in on the clutch, and heard a very faint grinding sound. The engine did surge at first. I thought that was odd sounding, so I released clutch in neutral, and no surge. Pressed it in again, no surge. Can put it in gear with or without clutch in, never a surge now, no movement, no grinding.

Here's what is working. The power steering is fine. The remotes and 3 point are fine. I see the trans pressure gauge dip and recover quickly when I press the clutch in. But never a surge. Never a grind, even if putting into a range with clutch not pressed in. No movement at any point.

This is a '75 model. My "old" one, 74 model, we narrowed down to this same issue (was broke before I bought it) and I put it in corner of my shop and haven't had time to touch it since.

I did post a long time ago about the issue with the old 1370. Seems some were thinking it was the hallow shaft between TL and PS. However, Rod was saying this was quite rare. Is it not so rare that I now have two tractors with the same issue?

It was also suggested there was a plate I could remove to see if the PS planetaries are turning? Where is this? So if the PS planetaries are not turning, and everything else is running as I describe above, does this pretty well narrow it down to a broken spline after TL?

Lastly, where do you split the tractor to fix this? Do you have to lift the cab to split it?

One more. I ordered a cheap manual from an off brand site (no names) and the graphics were HORRIBLE. I need to get another manual. Can anybody vouch for the quality of the images in the service manuals you can buy from Yesterday's Tractors?

Thanks as always for all your help!

I should add a note.

The tractor was running totally fine, no hint of a problem coming. It was being very lightly used to pull a 14 ft disc. 3rd range, 1st PS, half throttle. I wasn't driving it, but was standing at the field when the guy parked it right in front of me. He shut it off, all sounded normal.

I came back two days later, pressed in the clutch, hit the key, and that's when the issue began. It didn't break under load. Seems very odd to me that the shaft would twist at that time??

Wow Barry, What rotten luck. The PS is not turning if it does not surge and you can put it in gear with out clutching. Chances are the hollow tube broke that drives the PS. Not a common problem but indeed does happen. You said the hydraulics work so the limiters are turning the hollow shaft that far but it usually breaks right in front of the PS. You will have to split the tractor between the torque tube and trans housing. Not a bad job for us old guys that have split dozens of these, but if it is your first one it will have its challenges but with the CASE manual it will walk you through the job step by step. Hey I might have a shaft laying around for you, I'll have to look, I guess I could send all nessesary gaskets also, let me know, Rod.

Thanks Rod, this is making sense. What doesn't make sense is why it broke when it did. That still baffles me.

Yes, all hydraulics are good, but no surge and can shift any range clutch or no clutch, no difference, no grinding, no movement.

Assuming the problem is as you say, I'd certainly take you up on the shaft and gaskets. before we get to that point, could you tell me if there is a way to ensure this is the problem? Somebody once mentioned removing the spare hydra cover on LH side and seeing if power shift is moving? Sounds highly unlikely it is, but if a quick and easy verification, might be worth it.

Also, do you have any experience with the manuals from this site? My concern is the graphics, having gotten a manual copied with horrible images, almost impossible to decipher what they are showing. I don't mind spending the money on a good manual .. but it needs to be GOOD. ;-)

Could a spool valve be sticking inside the control body of the transmission?

Buy a CASE manual, reprints may do the job but it is worth buying the original, you may find one from a paper collector or just order a new one from CNH

Just like when a torque limiter hub fails it usually does so when the clutch is depressed and not under load. That sudden surge from the power shift seems to find the weakest link. If you have good trans pressure that tells us the PS is OK, simply is not turning. Whether it is the hollow shaft or even the sun gear it drives the tractor has to be split to repair either. When the sun gear goes to is common for it to make a grinding noise before failing that is why I assume it is the shaft. If you will feel better by removing that cover to see that the PS is not turning by all means do so. I have never done that but that does not say what I always do is correct, LOL. The reprint manuals sometimes do not have the picture quality of the CASE ones so like Tom said I would prefer a original. Rod.

Them 39 year old tractors don't last forever without a few repairs. It could have been stressed years ago and finally decided to let go when it did. I agree it is not very common to break the shaft but I have seem them broke good luck. If it does not have 3pt they are pretty easy to split.