3600 transmission shifting problems

vinsond · May 28, 2017

About a year ago I bought a 3600 diesel with 4x2 transmission as a mowing tractor, and put maybe 40 hours on it since then. Runs great, mighty handy little tractor, etc. But a week ago I couldn't get it to shift into 3rd gear (or 7th, in high range), shift lever just wouldn't "go in." All other gears worked fine. Really put a damper on my mowing, since I use third more than any other gear.

I didn't use the tractor for several days after that but got back on it today, and now it will go into 3rd but just barely, doesn't feel like it's solidly engaging, and it slipped out of gear once.

Is this possibly an adjustment issue (i.e., something a basic shadetree mechanic like me could work on)? Or should I be planning a visit to a repair shop?

Thanks very much--

Dean Vinson
Saint Paris, Ohio

Ultradog MN · May 29, 2017

Dean,
Welcome to the Ford board.
There's not much we can do for you from afar. Shifting problems are not a known issue on those tractors that we can give a pat answer to. Those 8 speeds are pretty bullet proof.
How many hours are on the tractor? Does the shift lever roll or turn in your hand a lot or does it still pretty much only move in the X, Y planes?
Sometimes with very high hours the shifter can get worn and maybe not engage properly.
It is a very simple task to pull the shift cover and have a look inside - like 9 bolts and two wires. Nothing will pop out at you. I would suggest you at least have a look. You will see that the levers have to insert into a slot or hole in the shift rails inside. Look at the end of the lever and slots for excessive wear. When you reinstall the cover make sure the shift levers insert correctly into the slots inside.
If the levers turn or roll a lot you can buy a whole new cover for about a C note from this site.
If the problem isn't to do with the cover and levers it will likely be an expensive repair to have done as the transmission must be completely removed from the tractor to do much repairing on the shifter forks, etc
Meanwhile, don't use 3rd gear or allow it to pop out of any gears. That can chip teeth on gears inside and create a much bigger problem for you.
Others here may have additional info. This is a Very good board for those tractors.

vinsond · May 29, 2017

Thanks very much for the fast and helpful reply, Ultradog!

The tractor has a little over 2600 hours, which I would think is on the reasonable to low side. (It's by far my newest tractor so my frame of reference may be a little skewed). I don't recall the shift lever having any feeling of rolling or turning. I'll take your advice and pull the shift cover off and see if I can spot any trouble areas.

Dean Vinson
Saint Paris, Ohio

DGinVT · May 29, 2017

Get the " I & T Shop Service Manual" from this site. Manual NO. "FO-38" I have the same tractor a 2600 Ford with same transmission. ON Paragraph 135and on they show the transmission.

sotxbill · May 29, 2017

(quoted from post at 03:50:34 05/29/17) Dean,
Welcome to the Ford board.
There's not much we can do for you from afar. Shifting problems are not a known issue on those tractors that we can give a pat answer to. Those 8 speeds are pretty bullet proof.
How many hours are on the tractor? Does the shift lever roll or turn in your hand a lot or does it still pretty much only move in the X, Y planes?
Sometimes with very high hours the shifter can get worn and maybe not engage properly.
It is a very simple task to pull the shift cover and have a look inside - like 9 bolts and two wires. Nothing will pop out at you. I would suggest you at least have a look. You will see that the levers have to insert into a slot or hole in the shift rails inside. Look at the end of the lever and slots for excessive wear. When you reinstall the cover make sure the shift levers insert correctly into the slots inside.
If the levers turn or roll a lot you can buy a whole new cover for about a C note from this site.
If the problem isn't to do with the cover and levers it will likely be an expensive repair to have done as the transmission must be completely removed from the tractor to do much repairing on the shifter forks, etc
Meanwhile, don't use 3rd gear or allow it to pop out of any gears. That can chip teeth on gears inside and create a much bigger problem for you.
Others here may have additional info. This is a Very good board for those tractors.

In addition to sloppy shifter ball, or wear on the bottom of the shifter, also check the indent springs and balls at the rear of the trans housing, facing up.. the springs can collapse and not hold it in gear, and the gear is slip out..

But usually,,,,, the shifter end has worn off and not shifting it far enough, or the ball area is worn so badly the shifter is actually allowed to raise up a bit, and again not shifting the rails far enough forwards or backwards.

A common problem then is the shift rails will not be returned to center before selecting another gear, and the tranny will lock with two gears engaged. this is more common on tactors used for a loader work.

vinsond · May 29, 2017

Thanks for the help, gents. I didn't get to taking off the shifter cover today, ran out of time, but will get back to it when I can--perhaps this weekend, lots of forecasted rain so less temptation to be doing other stuff.

Dean Vinson
Saint Paris, Ohio

vinsond · Jun 4, 2017

Okay, now that I take the time to actually look and think for a minute, an obvious problem jumps out at me: The little conical piece beneath the spring at the base of the gear shift lever is all broken up (which I'd previously noticed) and (duh!) it *matters.* I'd figured that was just a weather seal, not high on my list of tasks since I keep the tractor under roof. But in its current condition it's letting the spring (and therefore the shift lever) drop down too low.

I did take the shift cover off but couldn't notice anything that looked wrong inside, rails and forks and the lower ends of the shift levers all seem fine. And I was able to manually push the third-gear fork into what I assume was third gear and then back to neutral, and it all felt nice and solid and smooth. With everything put back together, the tractor seems to shift into third okay if I lift upwards on the gearshift lever.

Browsing a 3600 parts diagram on line, looks to me like I should get a couple of those retainers and probably a new set of springs while I'm at it.

I'll try attaching some photos. Thanks very much for the help.

Dean Vinson
Saint Paris, Ohio

3600 transmission shifting problems

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