Where's reverse on TO-20?

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member
Just got this old TO20 that came with some property I bought. I can't find the reverse gear. It will shift the H pattern but I can't get it to go over to the right without lifting the stick and when I lift the stick it will only move forward to the start position. Surprisingly, it started up and ran very smooth considering it had been sitting for about a year. I think it needs some carb work since it would only run fully choked and would die when I tried to go up a hill. It had plenty of power to turn the mower in pretty thick grass though. It had milky looking oil and the radiator was about a quart low so it probably has other issues but I just need to mow a small area. It was kinda cool running this old thing, I've only used newer diesel stuff but the engine was remarkable smooth and just purred at idle.
 
Lifting the stick to get it to start is your safety lock out. Reverse is directly below.
So, shove it over and down. That should be reverse in there somewhere.
Imagine my happiness when ever I shift out of reverse and bang the flywheel without that lifting lock out.
 
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You may also need to rock/roll the tractor a little. Sometimes the teeth line up and prevent shifting. Lift the clutch and let the gear spin to a new position and try again.
 
I tried rocking and lifting the clutch but the stick wouldn't slide over. The bigger problem is the thick , olive colored sludge that came out of the oil drain, with flecks of bright green anti-freeze mixed in. Not worth my time to try to overhaul so probably will sell it for scrap or just give it away to someone who wants to restore it. Hate to see old iron get melted down but it was sorely neglected before I got it.
 

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