IH 444 stuck in 4th gear

Farmbum · May 31, 2020

Hi all,

Been lurking for some time and enjoy the site. I have what I was told is a 304 or a 444. Well, the tranny is stuck in fourth gear. I pulled the top off and can only slide the gear about 3/8th of an inch, not enough to disengage. All the teeth are fine, but the gear definitely comes to a stop at the same spot.

From the parts breakdown, I don't see any keepers, snap rings or the such that could be the problem but i'm not saying there isn't.

Is there a mechanism inside the 4 th gear and sliding quill gear?

I was going to split the tractor to tear it apart more but was having trouble with that also. Do I need to separate the engine and clutch, then the clutch from the tranny? Or can I just split it right in front of the tranny?

I'll do my best to answer questions if additional information is needed.

Thanks a bunch for any insight and help.

JimB2 · Jun 1, 2020

First thing is to properly identify the model of the tractor?
Does it have 4 Fwd plus Rev and a HI/LO range lever on the left side of the top of the transmission cover?

Some photos of the tractor would be helpful.

khouse6 · Jun 1, 2020

small farmalls have this problem. i jack one rear wheel up, rock the wheel a bit. this takes the pressure off of the gears. then the gears will slide.
shifting too fast, or shifting while going down hill, usually causes mine to stick.

Janicholson · Jun 1, 2020

If 5 speed as this diagram, parts 11 through 14 (and maybe 15) can cause issues. The 5th gear is a sliding spline direct drive input to output.
If any of these parts have been chipped, a chip can get lodged in the mechanism and prevent motion. I do not know if there is a reverser, or TA
on your tractor, but it may need to be split to access the input shaft at the point of the those parts. Jim
diagram

Farmbum · Jun 1, 2020

(quoted from post at 04:27:04 06/01/20) First thing is to properly identify the model of the tractor?
Does it have 4 Fwd plus Rev and a HI/LO range lever on the left side of the top of the transmission cover?

Some photos of the tractor would be helpful.

The tranny is as you described.

I'll see if I can post a picture after I take one.

Farmbum · Jun 1, 2020

I can slide the problem gear about 3/8" back and forth, just not enough to disengage the lower gear. Actually it's not anywhere close to disengaging.

It's only a 4 speed without a TA. Don't know what a 'reverser' is I suspect it doesn't have one unless it's an internal mechanism.

Farmbum · Jun 1, 2020

Here's the beast.[/img:d91e390349]

JimB2 · Jun 2, 2020

Hi, yes that is a true UK 444 built tractor because it has the power steering cylinder on the left side, the USA crated units assembled in Louisville, KY, USA had a different power steering unit.
The B275, B414, 434, 444, 384 and several other models all had the same transmission, see the link below for a youtube video. The Canadian Redneck has a few videos on B414 which also applies to your 444.

So is the 4th gear at the front is stuck on the main shaft(top shaft)?
As others have said, rotate by tying down clutch, jacking up one rear wheel and rotating wheel to see if there is a burr on the splines or twisted spline preventing 4th gear from sliding.
B414 Trans

Farmbum · Jun 3, 2020

Found the problem, bad bearing underneath the quill gear. The bearing rollers put things in a bind.

Not looking forward to the fix but at least I know what to fix.

Thanks, JimB2 for the information. It was super helpful.

JimB2 · Jun 3, 2020

You are welcome, I guess a double split.

Farmbum · Jun 3, 2020

So, are parts readily available from CaseIH and since this is UK model, do I need to use the Europe list rather than the North American list?

JimB2 · Jun 3, 2020

Here is the deal on the UK built Bradford B-275,B414,434,444,384 and the same for the Doncaster built 54/74/84 series, if you live in Canada you received a tractor shipped to Canada almost identical to the UK
version. If in the USA the "crated units" were shipped to Louisville, KY with just the power train (engine, trans/diff, rear axles, hydraulics), in Louisville all the other things got added like Delco
electrics, front axles, power steering, wheels and tires and tin work, then there were several variations in USA models like 354,364,424.
Again you could have a UK Canadian model in the USA as when ever the USA$ is worth much greater than the CND$ then buyers come to Canada and buy used tractors and take them back to the USA.
The major difference with yours if you are in the USA is electrics will be Lucas rather than Delco, the front axle, power steering and hydraulic pump system, if you are in Canada no problems.

Farmbum · Jun 19, 2020

All back together after a double split. Shifts like a champ.

Thanks a bunch for all the help, sure made the repair easier.

IH 444 stuck in 4th gear

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