JD 4450 MFWD problem

Westel

New User
The MFD is not working on my '83 JD 4450 PS tran. My understanding is that the MFD system on this series is a "powered off" system. I.e. The MFD engages when power is removed from the MFD solenoid. The light does come on in the switch and I have also tried removing power from the MFD solenoid on the transfer case with no luck. My question is: Can the MFD solenoid fail in a condition that would still allow hydraulic pressure to keep the MFD disengaged? Hoping to avoid transfer case rebuild. Thanks in advance, Wes
 
With the tractor not running, jack a front wheel off of the ground and see if you can turn it. If you can and the front driveshaft turns along, you probably have problems in the spring-loaded multiple disc clutch. (Not much a transfer case involved.)
 
Thank you Bob. Wish I had your logical thinking! Guessing that means there's enough slip in front differential where I only need to lift the one front tire. As far as I could tell, the failure occurred while tractor set up for several months as it seemed to work fine when last used.. This was why I didn't suspect a clutch pack problem. Will report back after trying front wheel. Thanks again, Wes
 
Could be the clutch pack gave up. Could also be a planetary stripped out or the front differential stripped out or spider gear(s) broken or damaged. For the front axle to work all it's internals must be intact,or the power will take the path of least resistance.
 
Thanks MSM. I haven't had time to jack up the tractor and try Bobs suggestion yet. That should start me in the right direction. I've lost gears on
other equipment before but it was always while running the machine (probably harder than I should have been). Since this issue seemed to
come up after tractor had been sitting up for a bit, I was thinking it was something simpler that I'm just missing. Electrical and I don't get along
well, so I tend to always throw the blame its way. Wes
 
So I did as Bob suggested and am still stumped. With tractor not running, I jacked up a front tire and tried turning it. It moved about an inch or so and stopped drive shaft moved with it and stopped at same time. Guessing it's normal play in driveline. Then ide died to try some other stuff. I jacked up other tire so both front off ground. Could rotate tire. Other tire rotated in opposite direction and drive shaft didn't move. Then I started tractor and did same tests both with mfwd selected on and off and with power removed from solenoid. No changes at all. Now wondering if mfwd isn't stuck in drive rather than out. Tried it out in some soupy stuff but didn't seem like front was pulling. May have to lift whole tractor to know. Not excited on that prospect. Any other suggestions would be greatly welcomed
 
It's more common for them to be stuck in the "on" position, if your counting on the switch and light to tell you that can be deceiving. Some times if you pick up on the brake pedal it will go to 2 wheel drive, the micro switches get out of adjustment..
 
Thanks Jim. If I plant soon, shouldn't need fwd.
better yet, it's stuck in fwd which will be an easier fix
I'd guess. Had it in a little mud but still couldn't tell if
fwd was doing anything. Nothing was hitched to
tractor though. May have to hook a ripper up or
something to bog it down. As far as a seal in clutch,
are you thinking hydraulics might be bypassing seal
and holding clutch out of engagement?
 
You can "kindda" tell if you put it into a tight turn,,it sounds like it is staying "in" and that can be from a simple fix to driving you crazy,,the brake switches are the first place to look, and it can be the circuit board behind the left kick panel,, those are $1100 from Deere, but Ag Exspress will check and repair them for $150,,keep in mind that it takes power to "Shut them Off" backwards to normal thinking...
 
Yes,, you are correct,, and maybe 'confused',,but it sounds like it's staying "on",, and that is a normal problem....
 
Sorry it's been a while. No update. Been planting beans and looks like wet weather on the way so not much time to tinker. Have decided to chain tractor to a tree in a wet spot to settle once and for all whether fwd is working as it should (or at all). May be a few days though. Thanks to you guys for your inputs. Wes
 
I think You guys had it figured out from the beginning. "Sounds like it's stuck in
FWD". Sure enough, didn't have to chain to tree because had all four tires rollin away as I pulled drill through some soupy spots. I do apologize for being fairly convinced I was in 2WD. To be honest, I have a hard time telling when it's engaged or not, unless they are spinning. No difference during turning that I can tell. Finished planting so will chase down electrical at leisure. Thanks again
 
When they are stuck in 4X4 drive they will eat a set of front tires up quick on the road...
 

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