High Low range selector

I have a massey 231 that has slipped out of sync. it will not go into high or low range? do i need to split the tractor to reapir this or remove the upper rear axle housing?
:evil: Mark C.

Hello,
First of all, are you able to move the Hi-Lo lever? Is the lever stuck in the 'neutral' position? There is very little to go wrong with the HI-Lo shift mechanism short of a major failure in the epicyclic unit. If you are able to shift the lever but not engage Hi or Lo range then you may have a broken selector fork or dropped fork retaining screw. Remove the oil filler plug and using a strong small flashlight you may just see something of the Hi-Lo selector rail. If you can and there is movement on the rod then the problem will be at the rear of the gearbox in the epicyclic and will need to be split there.
DavidP

Dave ,
the selector moves a little forward an back. but it wont go into high or lo0w range. the tractor was being used by my father and was moving when he went to go from high to low range . can I remove the upper of the rear housing to see anything? I have looked thru the filler plug and couldn't make out anything? send in the recruits!!!!!! Mark

Hi Mark,
I was hoping that you would say you had full movement but no engagement. I don't think there will be anything short of removing the steering box assembly. Remove all necessary pipes and wires to be able to lift the box and instrument panel off in one unit if you can. Slacken and remove MOST of the bolts holding the assembly in place. As you slacken more of the bolts you will see the front begin to lift. There are detent springs above the selector rods. Assuming your tractor is an 8 speed there will be 4 springs, 3 if its a 6 speed. At the earliest opportunity lift each spring clear so that there is no chance of them falling into the gearbox. Lift the steering box assembly clear. Remove the gasket. Under each spring is a pointed plunger. These do wear but it is far more common for the first/reverse or second plunger to wear than the HL one. Remove all the plungers and check them.
Next, look at the RH rail and the fork which the HL lever engages in. This is held in place by a wired screw. This may have moved. If all appears to be OK then the problem will be in the epicyclic at the rear of the gearbox and will entail splitting it there but hopefully the steering box removal will reveal something.
DavidP

I had a similar problem with a MF 2510. The two shifting levers need to be parallel down in the hole under the steering column. One of the levers was below the other. I took a pry bar and pried the lever up so that they were even. Worked for me. good luck