Champ CB-50s differential disconnect

Hi,
I recently got a Champ CB-50s forktruck. Have it running, but I have a problem. Seems like nothing is going on with the clutch / brake pedals. Also, I can put it in gear, or select forward or reverse and it does not move or even indicate grinding. I think I've read something about some sort of electrical switch that can disconnect the drive train, but not sure where. An old book I have notes there's a button on the steering column. I don't have one. I do have a switch near the choke and key switch to start it. Wondering if this would be the switch? It looks like for some reason it's not connected to anything at the present time. Thanks!

Bryant

Most fork trucks have a torque converter which enables the operator to stop it and ride the brake with the clutch still engaged. This makes it possible to creep slowly into tight warehouse slots with the pallet. Maybe your has lost its fluid.

What type transmission is it?

Is it a manual shift, with a transmission mounted shifter, 3 or 4 forward speeds and a reverse, a spring loaded pressure plate and clutch?

Or is it a hydraulic, single speed, forward, neutral, reverse lever on the steering column, no real clutch, just a torque converter?

It's most likely the latter. If that is the case, the left pedal is not really a clutch. It is a combo brake/inching valve. It can be used to disengage the drive so the engine can be revved to quickly raise the mast without having to take it out of gear. Then if fully pressed, it will apply the brakes.

The right pedal is just brakes.

It's possible that the brake system is out of fluid or not functioning for some reason.

It is also possible that the inching cylinder (incorporated into the left pedal) is stuck in the release position.

As for an electric switch, some transmissions are solenoid controlled from an electric switch on the steering column, no mechanical shift linkage at all. If that is the case, there may be a safety lock out switch, or an electrical connection problem in the shift switch or wiring.

This sounds confusing, but it's really simple once you get the concept of it. More information will be helpful.

Thanks for the replies thus far. It is a manual transmission, with a 4 speed transmission shift lever, and a forward, reverse shift lever. 2 Sticks. New to this, but always thought it had a pressure plate / clutch.

I also have that flip lever lock on the steering column, but haven't been able to do anything with it. I have pics of that if I can post somewhere? Looks like I need to have a separate hosting site for images?

(quoted from post at 05:55:11 03/09/20) Thanks for the replies thus far. It is a manual transmission, with a 4 speed transmission shift lever, and a forward, reverse shift lever. 2 Sticks. New to this, but always thought it had a pressure plate / clutch.

I also have that flip lever lock on the steering column, but haven't been able to do anything with it. I have pics of that if I can post somewhere? Looks like I need to have a separate hosting site for images?

Click to expand...

Why do you call the lever on the steering column a lock?

OK, so it's a manual shift.

It's probably 3 forward speeds, reverse on one lever. The other is high/low range.

It's been a while since I've been around a manual shift forklift, but as far as I know they are straight up manual shift, with a regular clutch disc and pressure plate. At least the ones I have worked on were, but that was many years ago.

Does the clutch pedal feel normal? Like it's depressing a spring loaded pressure plate?

Somehow you need to determine if the input of the transmission is getting power from the engine, and from there is the output sending power to the final drive. You might can peek into the fill plug hole, lift the top off the trans, inspection cover...

The lever on the steering column, I don't know what that would be, possibly some type parking brake, safety lock out?

You should be able to post pictures, not sure how, but nothing special needs to be done.

Hi Steve,
The clutch pedal does not feel normal. It's like it's disconnected. Very little back pressure, just goes down, no mechanical linkage feel to it. Brake pedal, same way. Before I got the engine started up on this, the brake pedal did have back pressure, and I was able to push it to the floor and lock the brakes. Now it's as if it's disconnected.

Hi Showcrop,
Found a pick that shows it:






The top one it's hard to see, but the bottom pic is a close up.

Pics on the shift levers:




The forward stick has an H pattern, the back one only goes forward or back. Here's a shift pattern I think applies to it:

Build sheets, hopefully will clarify what I have.

I think the answer to your problem is on page 2 of the spec sheets you posted.

"Tow valve by pass Dragon #830"

The lever thing you asked about is just a line lock to hold the brakes on.

It sounds like both your brakes and clutch have lost their fluid. The Mico brake does nothing until you have the brakes filled and bled and leak free. The two master cylinders are most likely under the floor.

Now I see pictures, it's not a regular clutch and pressure plate design.

Probably a variable torque converter, dump valve, ???

Noting I have ever dealt with, sorry.

More testing things tonight...I'll start a new email thread...