Ford 455D problems - shuttle transmission, wiring

I bought a 93 Ford - New Holland 455D a month or so ago. I'm not a heavy machine expert but as a kid, 45 years ago my father had a bunch of equipment for strip mining so I love anything yellow with power. This tractor is a skip loader with a nice Gannon and 5 way controls. Also it has an 8 speed shuttle transmission. The brakes didn't work but didn't think much about that.

I should have looked a little better and tested it out a little more but I think I have been taken on this purchase. The seller claimed it was an 03 545D. Seemed like a 16 year old tractor couldn't be too bad, so I bought it. Turns out after researching I discovered it was a 93 455D which is more obscure and 10 years older than was told. I should have looked into it more but felt pressured since a few others were coming to look at it later that day. I blame myself for jumping the gun.

Upon unloading it from the truck, it drove about 50 feet and that's where it sat until I did a few things like change all fluids, filters, install an adequate radiator, new muffler, fwd-rev shifter, etc. Then it wouldn't start. A tractor mechanic diagnosed the injector pump as bad so I spent another $1k and replaced it.

Now it starts, I drove it around the house and part way around it stopped.

It has terrible wiring. All the factory wires are cracked and peeling exposing the copper in places. Most all safety features are disconnected. I suspect that the wiring could be the problem with the moving and shifting but am unsure.

This tractor has small red buttons on the hi - lo shifter, the 1 - 4 shifter, and the loader controls. When you press the red button, it kicks out of gear.

As I messed around with it there seems to be a bit of wiggling by playing with the 1 - 4 shifter and the button. Got it to move out of the main path so it moved again. The first time it started around the house it seemed pretty strong so I am surprised that it is being temperamental now.

I don't know if this problem is indicative of wiring or transmission problems.

Is it possible to completely rewire these machines? The factory wiring harness is no longer available.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I love reading these posts. What a great way to learn and it brings back a lot of fond memories of being on the farm.

Thanks for your help!!
 
Welcome to YT.

I would suggest investing in the service and operator's manuals. OEM is the best to start with I believe and there are a number of them available on eBay as one source. I don't see a 455D service manual listed in the store of this site.The service manual for the 455D appears to have 11 sections to it, so be sure any manual you look at is complete. Section 3 is electrical which I would expect to have the info you need to rewire it in areas if needed. Messick Farm Equipment is a place to check. (https://www.messicks.com/nh/67088) Check out the electrical sections of the catalog. They show the harnesses, not in stock but as available in a few days. A phone call could confirm if that is correct. There are vendors that make replacement harnesses, Brillman is one and there are more and someone may add more names for you to check out.

An operator's manual should give you information on all the control functions.
 
Just for kicks here's what a full set of 455D factory manuals looks
like. Expensive, yes, but it's really nice having them.

Ford455-DManuals.jpg
 

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