Ford 4000 8 speed

I just got a 1967 Ford 4000 Diesel. First tractor and many questions, I will start a new topic for each to keep to one topic.

I have downloaded the manual for my tractor but do not understand about the 8 speed dual lever transmission. When sitting in the seat I have left side a taller stick (High?) and right side a short stick (low?) I understand both have to be in neutral for the tractor to crank. But this is what I have, the left stick is very loose movement when in neutral, but the right short stick does not have near the slack or play when in neutral... is this normal?
The right short stick seem to go to only 2nd - straight up and Reverse straight back. I can not get it to go left = 1st or right and up to 4th. If it only has the 2nd low I may can live with it as I will use the tractor to drap the road and go slow.
I don't understand how the dual transmission works.
When I do use the short sick and put it in 2nd it does not go. I have to engage the left tall stick into a gear before the tractor will move and the same with the tall stick, if it is in gear and the short stick in not in gear, the tractor will not move. So it seems both sticks have to be engaged for it to work.... is this correct ?

Thanks
Michael

Michael,

The stick to the left (when you are seated in the tractor) is the actual gear selector lever. It can be moved in an H pattern to reach 4 gears, plus you can reach reverse by the pushing the left extremely to the right and pushing it toward the front of the tractor.

The stick to the right (when you are seated in the tractor) is the range selector. With the stick pushed toward the front of the tractor, you are in low range, that is, the left stick is capable of putting the tractor into 1st gear, 2nd gear, 3rd gear, or 4th gear (it can also put the tractor into low-range reverse).

If the right hand stick is pulled toward the back of the tractor, you are in high range, that is, the left stick is capable of putting the tractor into 5th gear, 6th gear, 7th gear, and 8th gear (it can also put the tractor into high-range reverse).

If you Google "ford 4000 tractor shift pattern for 8 speed transmission" or some assemblage of those words, you 'll find a shift pattern chart that will make it entirely clear. At one time, there was a metallic chart glued to your operator's console showing that shift pattern.

Good luck. It's really simple once you see the shift pattern chart.

Tom in TN

It's normal for the left stick to have a lot more play than the right when in neutral.

Fred

You have a 4 speed transmission with high and low range - giving you 8 forward and 2 reverse.
Short stick is only for shifting between ranges. Short (right) stick must be in neutral to start tractor. Tall (left).stick does not.
Shift pattern on gear selector (tall stick) is from left to right 1,2,4
Bottom is 3,R
Those are outstanding, bullet proof old tractors.

Thanks to Everyone for the quick replies!

Tom...WOW that makes sense... I was looking at the sticker that is still on the tractor and seeing it divided showing Low and High and thinking it was for the different shift levers. But now I fully understand what you all are saying. The tractor is not here right now but I feel sure it will much easier next weekend when I get to it.

Thanks to All, Hope your day is Good!
Michael