Shear coupler removal issues 231 MF

JD711 · Jun 10, 2020

I read lots of good comments on how to diagnose and replace the shear coupler on my 231S MF, and those have gotten me this far. PTO side cover removed, cotter pin removed, aft section of coupler removed...when it comes to sliding the forward piece of the coupler forward on the shaft, it appears that theres a burred edge along the shear line stopping it from sliding completely back enough for the shaft to be slid aft to disengage the transmission. My best guess is if the coupler piece would slide forward another 1/8 or so, the shaft would drop. Given the limited access to the area and not wanting to damage the shaft, Ive tried limited tapping on the sleeve but no movement....anyone encountered this issue before?

DavidP,South Wales · Jun 11, 2020

Hi, make sure that the Hi-Lo lever is in Hi. This will give you
maximum room to work in.
DavidP, South Wales

JD711 · Jun 11, 2020

Thanks Ill give that a try. Id seem this suggestion on another post as well. The tractor is in the field, I was mowing, clearing an area to build a barn, when it broke. Id like to not have to pull the top cover to access the repair, given it a much larger job. However if I do, can someone tell me approximately how much the top cover weights? Ive read where the use and engine hoist/Crain to remove it in the instructions. Im going to have to use back power, I wont have the option of a lift of any sort.

MF#1 · Jun 11, 2020

I don't know how much it weighs but I yanked one off of a 245 a few years ago by hand and I put it back on with an engine hoist, strong back - weak mind? I was standing on the foot rest facing to the rear when I pulled it. Be sure you remove the small pin on the lift finger(?) before you put the muscle to it.

DavidP,South Wales · Jun 11, 2020

DON’T ATTEMPT TO LIFT IT OFF ON YOUR OWN, much less try
and refit it!!! The cover is very heavy and unwieldy and has to be
fitted very accurately to ensure that you do not damage or dislodge
components. It is unusual for the pinion shaft and coupler not to
come free if I understand that to be the problem. As I understand it
the coupler has already broken. Try engaging Lo to see if it will come
out any further.
DavidP

ptfarmer · Jun 11, 2020

X2 on do not try to remove, or install the top cover on your own! Unless you want a hernia, and throw your back out!!

MF#1 · Jun 11, 2020

I don't know how old these other two gentlemen are but I was 54 when I pulled it out with nothing but muscle. I didn't "pull" anything out or sprain anything, or break anything I assure you, but it wasn't pleasant. I would recommend getting a helper if you have to man-handle it in the field and, as I mentioned before, I used a hoist to put it back on, much easier. Good Luck with it!

DavidP,South Wales · Jun 12, 2020

I’m 64, feel like 74 some days!!!!! It is not only about being to lift the weight that the cover is it’s being able to have accurate positioning control as well. Even with the proper MF tools for removal you have to be careful. Memories still there of fitting a 35 cover last week.
The photo is of a lightweight gantry that I made with a winch on it principally to fit when a tractor is split to remove and refit the flywheel. It has also been used for gearbox and axle removal. Here the cover was moved to the tractor and then fitted to the MF removal/refit tool.
DavidP

ptfarmer · Jun 12, 2020

I'm 54, I made this quick, and crude copy of the MF tool for removing the top cover a few years ago. One day maybe I'll build a better, nicer version.

ptfarmer · Jun 12, 2020

(quoted from post at 23:24:30 06/11/20) I m 64, feel like 74 some days!!!!! It is not only about being to lift the weight that the cover is it s being able to have accurate positioning control as well. Even with the proper MF tools for removal you have to be careful. Memories still there of fitting a 35 cover last week.
The photo is of a lightweight gantry that I made with a winch on it principally to fit when a tractor is split to remove and refit the flywheel. It has also been used for gearbox and axle removal. Here the cover was moved to the tractor and then fitted to the MF removal/refit tool.
DavidP
<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto46920.jpg">

I like that little gantry you made David.

J.Wondergem · Jun 12, 2020

(quoted from post at 02:24:30 06/12/20) I m 64, feel like 74 some days!!!!! It is not only about being to lift the weight that the cover is it s being able to have accurate positioning control as well. Even with the proper MF tools for removal you have to be careful. Memories still there of fitting a 35 cover last week.
The photo is of a lightweight gantry that I made with a winch on it principally to fit when a tractor is split to remove and refit the flywheel. It has also been used for gearbox and axle removal. Here the cover was moved to the tractor and then fitted to the MF removal/refit tool.
DavidP
<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto46920.jpg">

You guys made some slick equipment to work with. Very good ideas. PT's even converts to a work bench.

Phil Tibbetts · Jun 12, 2020

I used to do stuff like that and am paying for it now.

John Deere D · Jun 12, 2020

This lifting bracket is used on my MF 35 X....Ford 2-N and Ferguson TEA-20....

I like the long tiller bar out the rear along with aligning pins so as to guide the lift cover ....

Bob...

MF#1 · Jun 12, 2020

I'm almost 61 now and would not try to lift it again;-)

MF#1 · Jun 12, 2020

I hear you! I see how the professionals do it, very nice!!

MF#1 · Jun 12, 2020

That's almost as good as putting a zipper on it;-) Looks sharp!

Phil Tibbetts · Jun 12, 2020

I'll be 75 next month and all I can say is wait ten more years and the difference. In my 60's I was doing great.

JD711 · Jun 12, 2020

So all thats great guys, but now its back to me and the issue at hand. Those of you that are fabricators do so cool work on your chains, those of you concerned with my health, duly noted! As it turns out I didnt have to pull the top cover. Shifting the high/low shifter into high generated just enough room to get the shaft to drop. So my original problem solved...however, lessons learned about blogs and forums. People dont tell you everything that you might need to know, in my case I research 5 different forums to generate enough data to do the job. A little here and a little there.
And still no one mentioned the fact that there is a needle bearing in the forward end of the shaft. Keeping the shaft level and using a little caution will keep you from having to fish those little jewels out of the bottom of the trance case... or worse yet dropping them on the floor( deep grass in my case). And the two gears on the forward end of the same shat are slightly off center with one another, which requires you to pull the fist gear out, then with a slight twist remove the shaft. These little bits of knowledge would really help! Thank for all your input
, I think Ive got it from here!

ptfarmer · Jun 12, 2020

After you do a few of them you tend to forget about some of those little things when someone asks who hasn't done one before. Plus I still seem to manage to drop some little thing(s) in sump, or in the dirt on occasion even though I should know better. Pnowbody is nerfect.

Shear coupler removal issues 231 MF

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