861 won't move!

johng3d

New User
Recently purchased an 55 861. I was using it to mow with a bushhog and it just stopped moving. At first I could get it to move a little but after about 50' it quit altogether! The PTO still moves but not the axles. What the heck did I do?
 
My first guess is you may have broke the
splined coupler that hooks the output shaft
of the transmission to the pinion shaft on
the rear end.
I think if you removed the round cover on
the side of the rear end you could look in
there with a light and see if it's intact.
Post back with what you find.
 

Are you talking about the cover on the left side of the case between the transmission and rear end housing? The one that the PTO engage lever comes out of?
 

2 things

1. I'm guessing you've got clutch issues.

2. If it's an 861 . . . it is not a '55. Earliest 861 came out in '58 or late .57 possibly.
 

The case stamp says 860!
I believe you are correct with the clutch issue situation. With the tractor running I have to disigage the clutch (all the way down) to engage the PTO, it works fine. However I can shift the transmission into any gear with the clutch engaged and there is no effect! No grind, no nothing.
 

860 could be a '55.

No need to look behind the transmission at the output shaft until you address the clutch issue then.
 
To "address the clutch issue" means a split.
You're saying you'd split it before you
removed that round cover for a glimpse?
That does not make sense to me.
 
If you can shift gears with engine running and clutch pedal up and hear absolutely nothing, you have the clutch hub gone. If there is a slit grind the problem is behind the transmission, maybe drive shaft, maybe ring gear rivets
 

Given the OP's description, and I quote, "However I can shift the transmission into any gear with the clutch engaged and there is no effect! No grind, no nothing." I certainly would. As a matter of fact, it sounds like a no brainer to me! Dunno why the rest of you think it has to be something else.
 
Pull the inspection plate off the bottom of the clutch housing (you know, the one with the cotter pin hanging down). Might be able to see a clutch issue (e.g. clutch fingers are gone).
 
If it was a 1955 it was a 860. 861 did not come out till 1958. Basically the 860 and 861 were the same tractor with a few minor changes
 
(quoted from post at 11:27:30 07/18/18) There is no clutch inspection cover on a Ford. Only way you can see the clutch is to split the tractor at
the motor/transmission

The hundred and '01 series 5 speed transmissions have a removable plate on the bottom of the bell housing area that has the hole with the cotter pin in it. The parts drawing calls the plate a "transmission inspection hole cover".
 

Ok guys, I pulled the inspection cover on bottom of mid section and could not really see anything. I then pulled the transmission top cover and took a short video. I started the tractor and moved the gear selector and the gears did not move. Before I split it, take a look so I can be sure it is a clutch issue. Thanks again everyone!
 
(quoted from post at 17:46:06 07/18/18)
(quoted from post at 11:27:30 07/18/18) There is no clutch inspection cover on a Ford. Only way you can see the clutch is to split the tractor at
the motor/transmission

The hundred and '01 series 5 speed transmissions have a removable plate on the bottom of the bell housing area that has the hole with the cotter pin in it. The parts drawing calls the plate a "transmission inspection hole cover".

Your right. I was having a brain fart I guess. For some
Reason I had in my head a big plate you could get in there and adjust the clutch like a Massey. I forgot about the little
Plate on them. Don’t think you can see or do much through it.
 
Sounds like traction clutch If it was traction coupler or broken axle transmission gears would turn and gears would grind when shifting with the clutch engauged.
 
You might be able to see clutch pieces in bottom of case with mirrors and sunlight through the inspection plate. I dont know why the pto would work though as it has to have gears turning it.
 
(quoted from post at 08:33:27 07/19/18) I dont know why the pto would work though as it has to have gears turning it.

I do! This is a double clutch. PTO has a separate power flow from the propulsion system. PTO clutch is still good. Transmission clutch is not. PTO gears will be turning.
 
Oh yea, probably the front clutch. He should be able to stick a magnetic pickup through the inspection hole and get some metal pieces off the bottom.
 

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