MF 12 troubles, need ideas.

[Propane1]

Yesterday the variable speed selector would jump out of the park position. Was just lucky I had the transmission in neutral. Which I always do when getting of the tractor, running or not. Button in the handle seems to be free and coming up all the way, when released. Spring tension gets stronger as you pull the handle from 5 position to park. Which it has always been like that since I got the tractor 7 or 8 years ago. I’m thinking the notch and rod are worn ? How does one get that apart to see. I haven’t look at it yet. Thanks for any help.

Noel

 

[MFDAC]

Wish I could help, Noel! I've never had any trouble with mine, but I don't put it in the park position very often either. I put the transaxle in neutral and the vari-speed lever in whaterver speed it was in then I can push the tractor around my shop when it isn't practical to start it.

I do need to go through the adjustment procedure again after mowing season. Figured that when I take apart and lube the vari-speed pulley, it would be a good time to do the adjustment.

Hope you get it figured out!

DAC

 

[esbbent]

Noel, I have pulled the whole selector off of a tractor but have not taken the selector all the way apart. To take the selector out there is a piece on the end of the shaft under the dash that needs to come off. Once it is off you can undo the 3 bolts which hold the housing to the dash tower and remove the selector. There is a roll pin which holds the selector to the shaft, that roll pin could be worn. Looking at the parts book it looks like the button is threaded onto the shaft which locks the selector, below it is the spring and a flat washer. The flat washer or spring could have failed to not have tension on the bottom end of the rod to hold it in one of the notches. I have one on my 10 that I think the roll pin has part way sheared. The lever pulls back farther than it use to pull. Good luck. Ted

 

[MH81]

You should be able to look at the notches and rod from under the tractor.
I would bet esbent is right on the roll pin. If not, I had a parts one with a partially broken rod.

 

[Propane1]

Thanks Ted. I will have a look at it.

Noel

 

[JDJake]

And I thought JD variators are a pain!

 

[Propane1]

Kinda looks like the notch were the 90 degree heavy wire goes into is worn. Gunna try and but a small tack of weld on there and see if that helps.

Noel

 

[Propane1]

Fixed her up hopefully. Welded a little tab on the holding part and clean out the dirt under the spring loaded rod in the handle. We’ll see how it works.

Noel

 

[olcowhand]

That oughta do it Noel!

 

[MFDAC]

Looks good to me Noel! I've never looked at that on mine so I will keep your fix in mind if it gets the same problem!

DAC

 

[MH81]

That'll do it.
Nice fix

 

[MNGB]

Hi Noel looks like it will work good to me have you had a chance to try it yet?

 

[Propane1]

No Gary. Will try in a few days. I did try it while sitting on the tractor but not running. Have to push the button farther in order to operate the handle. So that’s a good sign.

Noel

 

[MNGB]

Noel, have you harvsted your potatoes yet? I did mine a couple of days ago not a good harvest not many spuds and the darn grubs got to them and had chewed on just about all of them I think I got behind in watering earlier when they were making little potatoes, the tomato plants are just loaded with tomatoes but they just don't want to ripen I'll have lots of squash and enough pumpkins

 

[Propane1]

Gunna start digging soon Gary. But I have been digging them out as I or somebody needed them. Was to hot to store any way. Cooling off now so they’ll keep good. Any I’ve dug out so far have been very good. Baseball size and a bigger, some smaller. I don’t water mine. I’ve gotten out about 70lbs, give or take some. Everybody likes them. Make some green tomato chow or Fried Green tomatoes. Our Pumpkins are a basket ball size. Frost has gottin some of the plants.

Noel

 

[steve b]

Fresh potato out of the ground taste nothing like the ones from the store.

 

[Propane1]

Used the MF 12, with loader, yesterday to clean up the saw dust and wood chips. Park now seems to hold in position with out jumping out, while the engine is running. So I think I got it fixed.

Noel

 

[MNGB]

That's good always nice when things workout as they should, hows your weather is it cooling it is here really cool the next 4/5 days then somewhat warmer

 

[Propane1]

Well this last few days it been like August weather. But cooling down next week. October already. So we know what that means.

Noel

 

[MFDAC]

Glad it's working as it should now Noel!

DAC