Oliver 60 Row Crop Transmission issue.

Hello, I am currently trying to get an Oliver 60 Row crop tractor running again. It hasn't ran in close to 30 years. It was smashed by an old garage in a snow storm in 1993. Anyway the engine is free and I got the radiator re cored new belts, carburetor rebuilt, changed out exhaust manifold for one that wasn't broken, also had to get a new oil bath air filter. I changed the distributor points and condenser, new cap and spark plugs. Got the coil put on, gas tank back on, new dash panel gauges and switches. That was a quick update on where I'm at as far as the engine is concerned. I still need to do the wiring work on the engine and I can then try to start it.

But now to my issue I am inquiring about. The gear shifter would slop side to side as if it were in neutral but it wouldn't move into any other gear. So I went ahead and pulled off the power lift and both of the side shift bars will move freely and easily. The center bar I got to slide all the way forward and now it seems to be stuck. My service manual says to put the gear shift bars into the neutral position then put the power assist on. But I can't get it to that position nor do I know what that position is. Does anyone have experience with these older tractor transmissions? I'm learning as I go with this tractor but I'm stuck on this transmission problem. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

By the way I got this tractor around 2 years ago or so from my grandfather. It was his tractor and he had Alzheimer's when he agreed to let me fix the tractor but now he has had since passed away so getting it running in his honor will mean a lot to me. He always said he was going to fix it for the last 20 years but he never got around to getting it done. Thanks sorry for being so lengthy.

Try posting this on the Oliver board on this site. There are guys there who know your tractor like the back of their hand. Good luck with it and let us know how it turns out for our own education.

Jack up one rear wheel.That will take
the pressure from the gears.It should
easily shift.Look at the end of the
shofter.It may be worn and in need of
building up with weld.Weld oversize and
grind to correct size and shape.An
Oliver 60 is a fine little tractor.I
have one and like it,very handy.Congrats
on getting Grandpa's tractor.Priceless!

Thank you for the replies. I did post the question on the other forum as well. As far as the shifter the ball on the end looked ok when I took it out but I will take another look and consider your repair suggestions if needed. I currently have the whole back end of the tractor up on blocks so the pressure is off. Thanks.