ford 900 tractor won't move

jmw132001

Member
I have a ford 900 tractor that has been running fine and operating perfectly well. Was using it just a little bit ago when I was in reverse and all of a sudden the tractor stopped moving. I figured it was the
clutch, but clutch is fine. Now, if you try to start tractor with the clutch no engaged, it won't turn over, but if you push in the clutch, it will turn over. This ensures me the clutch is working. But, the
problem is once you have it running, you can push in on clutch, shift into any gear and it will bog the tractor down and not move an inch. Now, I figured the rear end locked up, but with it in nuetral and
clutch depressed, tractor can be pulled.

anyone have any idea's as to what may be the problem? I done checked hydraulic fluid and it looks fine.
 
Well I was going to say stuck in 2 gears but if that was so you could not move it in neutral with or with out pushing the clutch down. So any odd noise when it happened?? Engine bogs down if you let up on the clutch makes it seem odd. Now if it was winter time and clod out I could see ice in the system. So maybe a bad bearing some place.
 
If clutch is engaged (pushed down) tractor will start and run fine (will not move). If you try to start the tractor with the clutch disengaged (clutch pedal up), the tractor simply won't turn over (would act like the engine is locked up). Makes no sense that the tires in the rear will roll free with clutch depressed, yet gears don't work. Also, here is another twister on it. If I pull the tractor and say I push in on the clutch and attempt to put it into any gear, the gears grind as if the clutch does not work (won't go into any gear), yet I can shift it into gear if I push clutch down while it is sitting. It acts as if the clutch is not working, yet it is... Makes no sense.

Also, did not notice any odd noises or any kind of "breaking, grinding, snapping" noise when it happened.
 
Your thinking is backwards. Disengaged clutch is with the pedal down as in clutch disk spins freely. Engaged pedal up disk is locked in place by the pressure plate. Try this. Jack up both rear tires. Then try to spin one. Do that both out of gear and also in gear. It will help if you have 2 people. In gear one tire should spin one way and the other tire backwards of the one spinning. When out of gear you spin one and the other should be able to be stopped by the 2nd person with out much trouble. Post back what you find out
 
Yeah, I read it back and see where I messed up. Been a long day out in the fields today. Will see what I can find out and report back.
 
Have not got the tractor jacked up yet, but here is what happens.

can start tractor with shifter in neutral and with clutch engaged.

once you attempt to let out on the clutch, it will bog down and die but will not move.

Tractor will move in neutral if you pull it.

Not sure exactly how these things are, but it is sounding like the rear end is locked up. Only thing that makes no sense is shifting into neutral and it works. Does anyone think I am in the ballpark on this rear end thought?
 
If she'll roll- it's not the rear end. If I'm following you correct if in neutral and you start it and let out the clutch it lugs down, is that still in neutral? Not sure which tranny you have but sounds like something in the input side of it is jammed.
 
She will roll in neutral just fine. I can start the tractor in neutral and out of gear and it will run fine. The only time it will bog down is when I shift into any gear and attempt to let out on the clutch (engage it). That's when she will bog down and die. Won't budge.
 
(quoted from post at 22:11:44 06/04/15) Also, it has the 5 speed transmission. live pto and hydraulics.

In all this conversation I'm not sure the pertinent question has been asked!

That question is: What happens in the following scenario? Your engine is running. Your transmission shifter is in neutral. You engage (take your foot off of) the clutch? Or the question can be: With the engine off, transmission in neutral, clutch engaged, will the tractor roll?

From what I'm reading, I'm betting your transmission is stuck in a gear. when you put in another one, it's in two gears at once!
 
I am not a ford guru , that said I think the bearing on your transmission input shaft is stuck and won't let the input shaft turn or something close . I am not saying don't Jack it up and spin the wheels but there are only a hand full of bolts holding the cover on top of the transmission and rear end obviously something is broke stuck or jammed and you will have to open it up to fix it. This opinion is mine and may or may not be useful .
 
(quoted from post at 20:41:39 06/04/15)
(quoted from post at 22:11:44 06/04/15) Also, it has the 5 speed transmission. live pto and hydraulics.

In all this conversation I'm not sure the pertinent question has been asked!

That question is: What happens in the following scenario? Your engine is running. Your transmission shifter is in neutral. You engage (take your foot off of) the clutch? Or the question can be: With the engine off, transmission in neutral, clutch engaged, will the tractor roll?

From what I'm reading, I'm betting your transmission is stuck in a gear. when you put in another one, it's in two gears at once!

Like I say, it worked fine and then just quit moving. I can have the tractor in neutral and it will roll just fine with clutch engaged or disengaged. Now, if I put it in gear, I can not engage the clutch as it will kill the tractor and not move. Hopefully this makes more sense.


(btw, I had to click on the "modern view" for the forum and it made it a lot better..)
 
(quoted from post at 20:44:52 06/04/15) I am not a ford guru , that said I think the bearing on your transmission input shaft is stuck and won't let the input shaft turn or something close . I am not saying don't Jack it up and spin the wheels but there are only a hand full of bolts holding the cover on top of the transmission and rear end obviously something is broke stuck or jammed and you will have to open it up to fix it. This opinion is mine and may or may not be useful .

Considering it made no grinding noises or anything else and still does not even make any weird noises, you would think it would not be something difficult or too expensive. But, I also know how my luck is as well......
 
Here's my suggestion, then, if I understand the following:

* Engine runs fine with clutch engaged in neutral.
* Tractor will roll in neutral.

In other words, what you are telling me is that your transmission input is OK and that your transmission output is OK and that something in between these two points has gone amok.

My suggestion(s) (provided you have some mechanical skill and a Ford shop manual):

* Remove your transmission top cover and inspect.
* If the culprit is not visible from there, you'll need to begin transmission removal and disassembly.
 
(quoted from post at 04:44:30 06/05/15) Here's my suggestion, then, if I understand the following:

* Engine runs fine with clutch engaged in neutral.
* Tractor will roll in neutral.

In other words, what you are telling me is that your transmission input is OK and that your transmission output is OK and that something in between these two points has gone amok.

My suggestion(s) (provided you have some mechanical skill and a Ford shop manual):

* Remove your transmission top cover and inspect.
* If the culprit is not visible from there, you'll need to begin transmission removal and disassembly.

Ok, wanted to give every one here an update. Me and dad took the top cover off the transmission. Looked down inside and did not notice anything at first, but then we found the problem. The "reverse idler gear" was snapped in half. We took off the side where the idler mounts in and was able to get it. everything else appears to be fine. We looked at the gear and was able to see that the gear itself had been "cracked" prior to it finally breaking which tells me it had a lot of stress on it before or something.

Now, my next question would be. With this gear broke, I know reverse does not work, but does that affect 3rd gear as well or does anyone know?

Also, does anyone know where a guy can get this part at?

Thanks again to everyone for your help!
 
Gear & bushing assembly - NDA7141A $260.58 at Messick's.

Shaft - if you need it - NDA7140A $90.20

Washer, Front thrust - NDA7149A $27.94

Thrust Washer, Rear - NDA7029A - Call for pricing and availability.


http://www.messicks.com/nh/55131 [color=red:59bc42873e]Note: This listing is for an 801 series, model 851. Your transmission reverse idler assy is identical.[/color:59bc42873e]

Edit: A removed reverse idler should not affect 3rd gear operation.
 
(quoted from post at 04:40:18 06/06/15) Gear & bushing assembly - NDA7141A $260.58 at Messick's.

Shaft - if you need it - NDA7140A $90.20

Washer, Front thrust - NDA7149A $27.94

Thrust Washer, Rear - NDA7029A - Call for pricing and availability.


http://www.messicks.com/nh/55131 [color=red:c164b94587]Note: This listing is for an 801 series, model 851. Your transmission reverse idler assy is identical.[/color:c164b94587]

Edit: A removed reverse idler should not affect 3rd gear operation.

Well I called Messicks only to find they do not have it available and can not get it, so I am stuck between a rock and a hard place right now....
 
(quoted from post at 12:03:04 06/11/15)
(quoted from post at 04:40:18 06/06/15) Gear & bushing assembly - NDA7141A $260.58 at Messick's.

Shaft - if you need it - NDA7140A $90.20

Washer, Front thrust - NDA7149A $27.94

Thrust Washer, Rear - NDA7029A - Call for pricing and availability.


http://www.messicks.com/nh/55131 [color=red:fcf752a0db]Note: This listing is for an 801 series, model 851. Your transmission reverse idler assy is identical.[/color:fcf752a0db]

You are not stuck. These transmissions are constantly being taken out of tractors that are being parted out. It is not likely that you would find the parts but a whole transmission is not hard. They run usually $1,000 to $1500. I saw one recently for $900.

Edit: A removed reverse idler should not affect 3rd gear operation.

Well I called Messicks only to find they do not have it available and can not get it, so I am stuck between a rock and a hard place right now....

You are not stuck, just held up for a little while. It will come up on eBay in a week or two.
 
(quoted from post at 14:03:04 06/11/15)

Well I called Messicks only to find they do not have it available and can not get it, so I am stuck between a rock and a hard place right now....

If it's NLS at Messicks, that means CNH (Ford) no longer provides it. You'll have to search aftermarket or salvage for it. Sorry, but I'm not going to be much help there.
 
(quoted from post at 12:03:04 06/11/15)
(quoted from post at 04:40:18 06/06/15) Gear & bushing assembly - NDA7141A $260.58 at Messick's.

Shaft - if you need it - NDA7140A $90.20

Washer, Front thrust - NDA7149A $27.94

Thrust Washer, Rear - NDA7029A - Call for pricing and availability.


http://www.messicks.com/nh/55131 [color=red:78519fd8ba]Note: This listing is for an 801 series, model 851. Your transmission reverse idler assy is identical.[/color:78519fd8ba]

Edit: A removed reverse idler should not affect 3rd gear operation.

Well I called Messicks only to find they do not have it available and can not get it, so I am stuck between a rock and a hard place right now....
I have a good used reverse idler assembly --E Mail is open
 

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