4600 shift problem 1 to 3

Our 4600 started getting hard to shift the stick between 1st and 3rd. Got to where it want shift 1st to 3rd. Lately it been hard to get the stick to go over to the 2nd to Reverse part of the pattern. Once you wiggle the stick a bit it will go over to 2nd and reverse and shift fine in 2nd to reverse. Goes over to 4th gear and shifts fine. Problem appears to be on the 1st to 3rd slot. Anybody got any hints what is happening? How to fix?

Pull the top cover and see what might be worn and replace whatever is.

2X what Sean posted. This problem comes up here every now and then, and people post back about the wear that they find and the repair that they make.

could be... top cover wear and the shifter bottom tip... is no longer reaching over far enough to grab the shift rail (rod).. I would put it in neutral, pull the top cover, and grab the shift rail and see if it shifts normally. IF it can be slid forwards and backwards, then suspect the top cover. Remember that when the top of the stick is too the left for 1/3 gears, the bottom of the stick is too the far right grabbing the right most shift rail. SO I would be seeing if that rail moves forwards into 3rd, and then back to neutral and then backwards into first... (yes left and right are reversed and and so is forwards and backwards on the bottom of the stick... Sometimes you may have to spin a gear to get the rail to shift....If the rail is shifts ok, then the top cover and shifter ball and tip are worn too much to reach far left and far right... and no longer returning the rails to center before moving left and right. I have welding onto the bottom of the stick with some success but replacing the entire cover and stick with an aftermarket is also a easier option.. If its a rail problem, then you have to look for loose forks, bent forks, damaged gears, bearings, and mounts, etc.