Driving a 300 Utility

Bill_Z

New User
The only other tractor I drove is a 1948 Deere Model B and it doesn't have a clutch pedal or synchromesh gears.

The new to us International 300 Utility is running now and runs really well. Was it designed to shift gears while going, like a car? This tractor does not have a torque amplifier. The reason I ask, is because starting in 5th or 6th really bogs the engine down with no load on the tractor. The governor does kick in but it almost dies.

I suppose if it is intended to shift while going, you would have to double clutch, but then there is the issue of the accelerator (no pedal).

No one that I know has ever had one of these, so please help.
 
firstly your tractor has 5 gears and they are not sycromesh like a car
You will find guys bragging their Farmall Super A will start off in high gear. I would say if its my tractor get off it you are done now :) Slipping the clutch causes heat and rapid wear. They are not made to do this IMHO
 
So, a 300 utility (or Farmall) doesn?t have a
synchromesh gearbox, just plain old straight gears
that were intended to be shifted while stationary.
They usually can start out in 5th (there is no sixth
gear) but it probably won?t do it with any kind of a
load. That leaves you with double clutching which
requires some skills and one more arm than the
average human posesses ;) Sam
 
They are shift from a stand still type of set up but to use 5th with out starting out going down hill one has to slip the clutch or learn to shift from 4th to 5th which is the only gears I will ever shift on the fly
 
(quoted from post at 00:12:00 03/07/19) They are shift from a stand still type of set up but to use 5th with out starting out going down hill one has to slip the clutch or learn to shift from 4th to 5th which is the only gears I will ever shift on the fly

That is one of the reasons the 300 tractors were available with a TA.
 
theres little practical use for starting off in 5th low or high ta
every farm kid learned to start off a wagon load of hay in 4th and shift into 5th on the fly. nothing to it if you have ears and a feel for the shift.
 
So, just curious what is high gear (fourth gear) for on a Super A? And bragging or not, I have two that will start from a dead stop in fourth gear WITHOUT riding the clutch.
I suppose IH just put four gears in the tractors but didn't intend for fourth to be used.
Hm, makes you wonder who knows more about the capability of the tractor; IH or someone who MAY NOT have ever owned one. And, if you owned one and it wouldn't start in fourth, you might want to find out how to tune it up.
 
(quoted from post at 19:22:03 03/06/19) So, just curious what is high gear (fourth gear) for on a Super A? And bragging or not, I have two that will start from a dead stop in fourth gear WITHOUT riding the clutch.
I suppose IH just put four gears in the tractors but didn't intend for fourth to be used.
Hm, makes you wonder who knows more about the capability of the tractor; IH or someone who MAY NOT have ever owned one. And, if you owned one and it wouldn't start in fourth, you might want to find out how to tune it up.
MFAO
who said 4th is not never to be used :?:
 
Start by running in 4th at mid throttle, push in clutch pedal and simultaneously reduce throttle to a little above idle. Just move
the throttle to where you know that speed is and while it's winding down ease the shifter into 5th and ease out on the clutch. It
will take a few times but you'll be able to click into 5th without any grinding. It's a continuous fluid movement of arms and
feet. You want to be letting the clutch out in 5th while you still have the tractor rolling pretty good. You can feather the
clutch a little bit but not any real slippage needed.
 
As the others note your 300 transmission is not synchronized. You must with stop the tractor to change gears, or "double clutch" it to upshift while moving. Otherwise you may damage the transmission gears or clutch.

Punch below for a short video I made demonstrating how to execute double clutch a 4-5 upshift on a Super M. Shifting your 300 is done the same.
Farmall 4 to 5 double clutch gear change
 

Congrats on getting the 300 running. We started with a JD mod A, no road gear and wide open on the shoulder at 5 mph was a drag. I don't condone slipping the clutch, so I use 4th to get on the roadway, which is uphill slightly. Then once on a slight down grade I stop and shift into 5th, and proceed. That's with a load. It should be able to untrack in high unloaded on almost any situation, but your mileage may vary.

If you want to see how to shift-on-the-fly try youtube...theres tons of videos of folks doing it. I even tried it with my 450 after watching one a few times...I didn't have any problems. But I have some heavy equipment experience.

Good luck, be safe.
 
The TA is pulled back, the trans is in 5th, the throttle is 1/2 or more, the clutch is released modestly the tractor moves well then the TA is quickly moved
forward to direct drive. Do not speed shift the trans, it is just not needed with a TA.. If the Ta is broken, fix it. It is a very desirable feature. 350U
owner. (original TA and Clutch) Shift the TA by moving the lever (either way, no clutch) as rapidly as you can, never feather the TA. Jim
 
I have a 300 utility also, with a
little practice and common sense you
can shift like you would a truck with
little or no grinding, for me the 2nd
to 3rd shift is always a easy one and
3rd to 4th, 4th to 3rd is also a easy
one, 4th to 5th takes some practice...
You'll get it, I've owned my 300 for 20
years now and it is hands down the
handiest tractor ever, probably my all
time favorite
 
(quoted from post at 15:49:09 03/06/19) The only other tractor I drove is a 1948 Deere Model B and it doesn't have a clutch pedal or synchromesh gears.
FYO , you should be able to start off in 5th with your 300 but not as nice as a 2 cylinder JD if you are looking for a comparison
 
These posts remind me of my granddad who had an International pickup (1972 1010) who would go from first to third. Fully loaded with watermelons. Uphill. The bullet-proof 305 would ping and clatter like it was about to explode and my brothers and I would cring. I inherited the truck and rebuilt the engine. With only 52000 miles it was shot. Wonder why.
 
(quoted from post at 19:21:39 03/07/19) These posts remind me of my granddad who had an International pickup (1972 1010) who would go from first to third. Fully loaded with watermelons. Uphill. The bullet-proof 305 would ping and clatter like it was about to explode and my brothers and I would cring. I inherited the truck and rebuilt the engine. With only 52000 miles it was shot. Wonder why.
I would hope these guys are just seeing if it will perform under the high gear load......I would be embarrassed if anyone was watching me taking off in high gear everytime :)
 

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