1370 Splitting .. Need help please!!!!

Hi guys, in process of splitting a 1370 for the first time (my first time), between torque tube and transmission. I have a manual and disconnected everything it said, and even a few other things that needed done that the manual didn't mention. We are certain everything is disconnected and then we double checked the bolt count between the housings at 9 total - 4 under belly from torque tube to transmission (2 per side), 4 around top of transmission into torque tube, and one dead center up top from transmission to torque tube (the step bolt). 7 of those are out. We kept the bottom two in, loosened about a quarter inch until we see the housings split, so we are sure to have all our jack heights correct before actually splitting.

Problem is the dang housings are not coming apart. We blocked front wheels and and strapped the blocks tight so the front won't skid. We used 10 ft 4x4 as levers against the rear axles, held tight to wheel with dual clamps, so we have leverage to roll the rearend away when it does split. We bounced pretty good on those wood levers tonight and the housings are not coming apart. We put a little pressure on the jacks to try to split break the seal that way but can't get carried away with that method.

Question is do these normally come apart this hard and if so how the heck do you safely split them? Any help would be appreciated, really need to get this apart and diagnosed and going back together as soon as possible. Thanks!

Should mention, we removed the 5 oil tubes under the power shift control valve, so we know those aren't preventing the halves from splitting. There is just no separation between the two housings whatsoever so far. Was really thinking they'd come apart easily!?!?

Barry has the gasket broken loose from top to bottom. That gasket can be a bear, but if it has broken loose all the way around you should be able to push the rear end away. If sure everything is disconnected and it will not move makes me wonder if something is holding it. This is not a tractor with park that may have been accidently engaged? Two people, one on each side, pushing on a rear wheel should easily move it back. I have always taken them apart by myself, working each side a couple inches at a time, Rod.

Hi Rod, no there is no gap at all anywhere, the housings haven't separated anywhere that we can see. The gasket hasn't broken loose yet. I think when it does break loose, it'll just roll freely back like you said. This tractor has no park.

Seems the whole issue is how to break the gasket loose. I think I see a tiny bit of sealant on the gasket, not sure if that was from factory or if somebody has had this one apart before.

Any suggestions to break the gasket loose without damaging anything else or having the halves rip apart quick when it breaks loose?

I have only split a 1370 5 times. (Nothing close to Rod 1370 he's sort of the 1370 expert.)

Either I missed it or You didnt say but does your tractor have a cab? If it does have a cab how are you supporting it?

The tractor does have a cab. We removed the bolts that go up through the rubber grommits at rear of cab, and are using a very heavy duty overhead hoist to lift the cab weight off the bushings and in fact removed the bushings tonight since they were just floating there.

Barry I have seen times when those tractors will support themselves with all the bolts removed and only the gasket holding them together. It can be a tough one to break at times. I have made a little fixture to use my porta-power to break the gasket. But if you support the front half of the tractor and then go to the drawbar end, place a bottle jack under the hitch pin area. Now slowly jack adding up pressure to the drawbar. I have already put significant up pressure and just let it sit for a couple minutes and then all of the sudden it cracks loose and scares the hell out of you. And then there are times that will break it loose right away. You do not have to worry about supporting the back during this procedure, it can not fall apart. After it is broke loose then support the back and get both halves leveled out before pushing apart. Rod.

Sounds good, I'll give that a go, thanks Rod. I tried that same approach last night but didn't want to get too carried away with pressure. I will leave a few bolts threaded in with maybe a quarter to half inch slop in them so things can't get too carried away when it breaks loose. Last night when I tried this i was lifting under the drawbar but didn't leave it sit for a while, just up pressure til I saw a decent amount of weight coming off the rear tires and then immediately released pressure. I'm 100% sure it is just a matter of getting the gasket to release. Will let you know how it goes, thanks again.