Locked in Gear

TO-35, locked in reverse. I know this is fairly common and I know the idea is to remove the oil fill cap and using a screwdriver try to move the gear to unlock it. So far that isn't working, but truth is I don't know which gear to try to move and which way, etc. Any specific tips you guys can give me? Thanks a bunch. I'm in middle of field, bush hog on back of tractor, no good way to get it into barn, etc.

I've never had to do it, but looking at the shop manual, looks like you need to lift up the boot and drive out the shifter pin. Then pull up on the shifter, compressing the spring to get it up and over and back into reverse position (or whatever gear the transmission is in).

If you'll put the high/low shifter in neutral, that will relieve any load the gears may be under.

Someone else that's done it might have a better plan...

Thanks, Steve. I got it! Screwdriver didn't do the job. I got bigger bar and it popped back. Again, tractor was locked in reverse. Here is the procedure I used, for reference of others. As Steve said, high-low in neutral. Bush hog PTO in neutral. Took off fill plug. Foot on clutch. Levered top most gear (closest to fill hole) forward. When it pops forward gear lever is then allowed to move to all gears. Had to use a stiff crow bar type of lever. Hope that helps someone.

what were you doing when it lock, going into reverse, etc

my old TO35 used to lock from time to time,

I finally learned not to pull up on the shifter lever when shifting from forward to reverse or reverse to forward. if anything give it a little downward pressure as you shift or just do not get in a hurry,

the shift rails are worn on the old tractors, springs loose, whatever. it can be fixed, but how much do you want to invest?????

but if you can practice some in the barn yard shifting from forward to reverse and reverse to forward, bringing the tractor to a complete stop before shifting. be sure, not to pull up on the shift lever, when you shift, I think it may help.

you are going backwards as you stop to shift to a forward gear, you have the shifter in you hand. your body goes back a little as you stop the reverse motion, as so, your hand pulls up on the shifter lever as you shift to a forward gear, shifter locked.

hope some of my past experience helps.

when did you change oil in the old transmission. maybe some new oil would help.
I still use GL-1 mineral oil, 90 weight. most do not use this oil, but it works fine in my old tractor. 1957 TO35.

still runs like a top,

Thanks for comments Steve and Wellmax. I know not to lift up on lever, but as you said, sometimes it just happens. Went back out to finish bush hogging and promptly ran over a yellow jacket nest. I think I'll retire my bush hogging for awhile. Not my day for that. They didn't get me too bad, but bad enough. Luckily I'm not allergic.

Glad they did not get you too bad, my son is very allergic, normally a Dr visit if he gets a couple of stings.

these boys with the big cab tractors, AC blowing cold, have forgotten all about the hazards of driving old open seat tractors.

A local dealership maintenance Forman said one of the main complaints was the AC is not blowing cold enough!!!!!

Glad you got the gears unlocked,

I had to go over and help a neighbor with his MF 175 that someway he had locked the gears. A good heavy bar, operator pushing in the clutch, PTO out of gear and he was on his way in no time.

Next time it happens put an offcut piece of PVC pipe inside the filler hole to protect the threads . The alloy is really soft and levering against the threads with a biggish bar with no protection can quickly knacker them.