IH 656 shifting problem

jtrovillion · Oct 18, 2017

Not familiar with how shiftier works, is neighbors tractor, is in some forward gear. Will not shift into or out of gear, running or dead. Sat outside for a little over a year. What happened while sitting? Not positive of model.

Janicholson · Oct 18, 2017

Shift rails and shifter lever tip in the trans top are probably out of position. To fix, take the tower off the platform and use a small prybar or big screw driver to align the rail slots to the center. If the tip looks worn, build it up for a tighter fit in the rails. Jim

the tractor vet · Oct 18, 2017

The shifters on 656-686 must have been designed by some 16 year old hotrodder from the fiftys in shop class . They looked neat when new up off the deck and on the side , but you put years of use dirt and grit thru them and they wear really bad up under the dash , then ya add in clutch and T/A linkage getting out of adjustment and the tugging and jerking start and add to more wear . Then one day someone is in a hurry and shift to fast and not in a straight line on the H pattern and may have jerked to hard and sheared the PIN on the cross shaft on one side and due to slop between the shift levers (there are Three ) the pin went between two as it was moving and it did not bring the one lever into the neutral spot while at the same time moving the other lever into the next gear. SO now it is locked in two gears . I have worked on a few that were plum slap wore out . To see what i am talking about one needs to look the break down on the shifter linkage on the Case I H parts web sight . 99% of the problem is up on top in the shifter and the three levers up there . The other 1% is clutch adjustment .

Farmallhal · Oct 18, 2017

This won't help with your immediate problem, but when I got my Farmall 656 several years ago an old time IH mechanic who lives in my neighborhood told me to always when shifting to another gear to move the shift lever to the neutral position and move it back and forth left to right a couple of times before going to another gear. He said if you do this you will never have a problem with getting the shift lever hung up between gears or in two different gears. Having to do this totally eliminates any quick or speed shift to another gear but these tractors weren't made for use on a race track anyway. I instruct anyone who might drive the tractor of this shift method I was told and haven't have any issues with my tractor getting locked up between gears, Hal.

pete 23 · Oct 19, 2017

The best spot to get at the shift linkage when stuck in one gear is behind the battery. Take battery cover off and take a look. Get hold of the one link that is not aligned with the other two. If you can't get at it good enough, you may have to remove the battery and plate under battery. You will see what I am talking about. Like the Vet says, it can be a mess and a pain to work on if worn out. Also, the advice about moving shift lever back and forth when in neutral is a good plan to keep from gunking the gears.

BarnyardEngineering · Oct 20, 2017

There is no "tip" on a shift lever, or slots to align like on the older tractors with the shifter in the deck.

656 has three sets of linkages, each going to one of the shift forks in the transmission. All the action happens up in the steering column.

Like pete 23 says, remove the battery. You may also need to remove the platform. That will give you access to most of the linkage. If you're lucky one of the pivot points has seized from rust and all it needs is some lube and a gentle tappy-tap-tap to get it freed up again.

jtrovillion · Oct 31, 2017

Ok first thanks for the help, when all levers were aligned at front of shiftier housing trans was not stuck in gear any longer, could shift into an out of 2/3 4/5 but will not go in to 1/R, can see shaft turning. Should there be a pin through shaft that engages the collar for that lever? Sorry for the delay many other projects underway + hunting.

Dave O'Brien · Oct 31, 2017

The upper (shift) lever or the 1-R (Furthest right when looking through the battery box from the platform) might still have some "crud" in it. That may be what is keeping it from engaging. I'm pretty sure that there is a pin through the shaft you described. That sounds like the simplest fix and the first thing I'd look at, next chance.

IH 656 shifting problem

jtrovillion

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Janicholson

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the tractor vet

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Farmallhal

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pete 23

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BarnyardEngineering

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jtrovillion

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Dave O'Brien

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