[Trotwood2955]

So I think we have a potential problem starting with our 6420 (4500 hours, 24 speed Power Quad, cab, 4wd). It’s been getting a lot of hard use lately loading poultry litter, cleaning up down trees and brush, etc. Over the weekend started it and the left hand reverser lever was very hard to shift into forward. Shifting to reverse was normal. It got slightly better as the day went on but still took some effort to shift into forward. It never popped into neutral while driving and everything else functioned normal. Since then we’ve also noticed the range shift lever seems harder to shift. Nothing grinds but just takes much more effort to change ranges than it used to, on top of the LH reverser issue. It’s throwing no codes and still overall functions, but something seems to be different.

So has anyone else experienced these symptoms or have any ideas? I’m afraid the issue is transmission or clutch related or something else internal and I’ll probably be sending to the dealer. But wanted to try to narrow down some first. Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[Hayman1]

Sad to hear that, but I am at 4k with my 6310 and it is going to get a 100 hours a year so maybe I will be lucky. Good luck, I had a friend that was really mechanically inclined. Took apart the tranny on his 2020. Stayed apart for years in his shop. When he finally gave up, and took to dealer with the parts, they said thanks, but no thanks unless they could start from scratch. No way to own that much hp without significant cost. tractors are like kids, like my brother says about kids, each one born with the same amount of hell, the difference among kids is how and when they express it

 

[Trotwood2955]

Yeah if you own machinery at some point it’s going to break. And if it had to happen I’m glad it’s now as we should have ~60 days before hay starts which should be enough time to get it worked on. Should being the key word. I tend to be picky about maintenance and don’t like to ignore problems which can then lead to worse problems. After I noticed it Sunday I asked my wife if she did and she said no. But after she user it more today I got “hey you know those shifting problems you mentioned? Yeah I noticed it too now”…

 

[Gearclash]

I have zero working knowledge of green tractors, but a couple things to consider. If the range is manually shifted, check and lube the linkages. They can get stiff. The other thing that crosses my mind is a dragging master clutch pack. I had a master pack start dragging on one of my CIH tractors and it made it first became difficult, then impossible to change ranges because the forward master clutch wouldn’t completely disengage. I’m pretty sure the Deere 6020s have a different driveline, but the same principle might apply. Hopefully this isn’t your problem.

 

[Tx Jim]

Ditto with GC concerning lubricating trans mechanical control linkages. I've read on occasion where LH reverser control getting excessive wear requiring replacement of controller.

 

[Trotwood2955]

Gearclash and Jim - definitely plan to put it in the shop and crawl around underneath checking linkages, loose wires, etc. just haven’t had a chance yet. Sure hoping it’s something simple. On the reverser I too have read some stuff online about these going bad. I may try to take it apart to see if the handle itself is gummed up or has some broken parts inside the housing. Those reversers aren’t cheap but much cheaper than splitting for some internal issue if it comes to that. Just get nervous that both the reverser and range shift started acting up basically the same day when they are related yet separate functions.

 

[JOR Farm]

I have seen folks rig those left hand reverses with 3 way lights switches after the handle on steering wheel quits of course you have no neutral then but my point is it's not likely your reverser problem is internal. As everyone else mentioned check and grease range linkages, I have a 7410 right hand reverser (same principle just mechanical instead of electrical) bought new you could change ranges easy then about 4000 hours later the only way it shifts easy is low rpm in neutral. Shifted like that it never makes a sound and could be moved with 1 finger.

 

[pettibone]

I'm with Gearclash, I'd check all linkage pins and oil them up. Isn't the reverser electronic and does it have linkage or is the switch right below the handle? More things to get oil on, maybe you'll get lucky. My 6400 range shift has sucked ever since I've had it, most of the time almost have to stop to shift it not exactly shift on the fly.

 

[Trotwood2955]

So after running it several days this week and several hours today it seems to be acting better. Range shifter has been stiffer than normal at times but not bad. And LH reverser has worked normal. So not sure what was up with it last weekend when it was taking a good bit of force. Pretty sure the reverser is all electronic and no linkage. I still need to check over all the range shift linkages, that’s on the agenda for tomorrow. Otherwise we’re just gonna keep running it and see what it does.

 

[dieselmike]

Shifter cables need replacement.