Hello Fellas,
I have a 1993 230A timberjack forwarder. I had the machine taken in to have a pin in the undercarriage changed and a new clutch put in. The machine was grinding a little when trying to put it into forward or reverse. Not bad, but enough that we assumed it needed a new clutch. So we get the machine back and run it for 2 days and it seems to be working fine, then running it on the 3rd day for about 15 to 20 min. machine wont go into drive or reverse if you put it into neutral for any amount of time. Machine will go into drive or reverse if you go from one or the other without stopping in neutral. If you put machine in neutral and push in clutch it will not stop shaft from spinning and you can not put machine into drive or reverse. I don't have a lot of experience with forwarders only 2 years, so any help or ideas of what could be going on would be great. I noticed on the invoice from the shop we had the work done that we did not get charged for a pilot bearing. Does symptoms sound like it could be a pilot bearing? We have adjusted clutch at pedal as far out as possible. Thanks
Can you give more information on machine and transmission model?
I do not have trans model #. Machine is a 1993 230A timberjack forwarder.
It's possible your flywheel is maxed out like beyond spec that you don't get good contact? Did they take it out to resurface it? Also the throw bearing or pusher could be worn. I've had to build those up with weld. Press plate new or just the clutch disc?
Long shot, did they put enough bell housing bolts in? Box may be out of alignment.
I think you might be on the right track with the pilot bearing. I had one go in a tractor, the cage that held the bearing balls had broken and off and on they'd get jammed up and lock up the transmission shaft so it would turn even with the clutch disengaged. Explains the intermittent symptoms. And if you weren't charged for a new bearing, they probably didn't put one in.
Thanks for all the ideas. They changed out the clutch plate, throw-out bearing, bearing clips & pads. My cousin dealt with mechanic and was told it would cost $1000 to resurface, but we could run with ours the way it was. Was beyond our budget so we had to pass on having it resurfaced. All bolts appeared to be in bell housing. Thanks again for all the ideas so far. Machine is back in the shop now, will update when I am told what it is.
1 grand to resurface the flywheel? its a 1 hour job
You seem to be having a clutch release problem. If the flywheel needed to be resurfaced and was worn badly (dished out) then you would have a slippage issue. I would say that it is a pressure plate/throw-out bearing issue or the splines on the transmission input shaft are fretted and catching the clutch so it doesn't release completely. I know on a 1996 230A it's a two day job to replace a clutch (one man) so I would have replaced everything when I was in there, budget or not.
Shop charged us $5000 to change pin in front undercarriage, transmission cables, put motor mount in and clutch. It took them 4 weeks and then we get machine back and still was not working properly. Shop owner told us to adjust clutch and try a couple other things, while he has a service truck and is only 25 min. away. He also said that if we can get machine their that we can work out the details (payment) later. They have a rig with lowboy, but never offered to pick up machine. It feels like they are sticking it to us. Does that sound about what it would cost to perform that amount of work? I realize shop rates are different, but just want some opinions.
I can't remark on shop rates or whoever preformed the work. I can say to you that the work you had done was time consuming to say the least not to mention the cost of parts. To change the pin in the front if it was a cradle pin takes considerable time, removal of the hydraulic tank, parts of the driveline, the front axle, drop the cradle, replace pins and bushings and re-assemble it all. I'm in no way picking up for the shop but until you have done some of this work you may not understand how much work it is. For example not so long ago you could open a snowmobile bonnet and change the spark plugs now it's a half a day just to get to them. I would say though a reputable shop would do everything possible to keep a customer a repeat customer.
X2 what bushmechanic said.
Thanks for your opinion on worth of work performed. I have little experience in regards to that type of work, feels good to hear it is a decent size job in changing pin.
I was qouted 35 dollars to resurface my flywheel until they checked the spec on it and it was played out. New wheel was 1200 bucks. This was a Cummins part and I could not find aftermarket. I've got a Franklin 132 and I could replace the flywheel, clutch pad, press plate and be running again in 6 hours and that's by my lonesome from tear down to back up. I split my machine last spring and did the vertical and horizontal pins. I was told by the shop to figure a grand a pin if I could bring it there. I did it for 700 bucks myself. One of the four pins were bad and four of eight bearings. They can take some time. There might be a window in the bell housing you can look through to see how your throw bearing and pusher are contacting. With the engine off and tranny in gear, put in the clutch and see if you can rotate the shaft by hand.
Thanks again for all the help, I'm learning lots. That's crazy efficient RHP being able to be able to perform the work you described. I hope to be someday.
Machine is at shop RHP can't check anything.
I've had a lot of trial and error to get there believe me! I don't like other people wrenching on my stuff. I'd rather take it apart and figure it out. If you get in good with a dealer or parts guy they can give you a lot of tips and hints over the the phone. Sometimes they can be dead ends but often they help put the puzzle together. I always work on it in the field too. Costs to dang much to hire a lowboy just to be comfortable when you're wrenching. Good luck!
Got machine back from shop last week. Was told that a bearing was installed wrong. Their fault so they said no charge, but a down time of 8 weeks is quite costly. Thanks again for all the input.
Well I hope they got it right this time and good luck to you.
Glad to hear it's fixed. To me two weeks would be unacceptable. That's part of why I don't like to hire out. They don't care about your timeline or bills you have to pay. I bet it's beyond frustrating. Hopefully they got it right.