GT3200 differential lock not engaging

MitchJ · #1 10-03-2021, 07:06 PM

Hello, my new to me GT 3200 differential lock Doesn’t seem to engage. I removed the cable from the lever at the transmission and the small metal lever on the transmission doesn’t seem to move very much, what could be the issue? Thank you very much.

Ken41 · #2 10-03-2021, 11:16 PM

If yours is the cast iron differential like mine, the lever does not move very much. Why did you take the cable off? Is it frozen so it does not move? Get the back of the tractor up off the ground so the rear wheels turn free and move the lever to engage. Turn the rear wheels and see if they lock together, if they do it is good. A lot of times when they do not work it is because the cable is frozen.

guyina4x4 · #3 10-04-2021, 12:20 AM

I had to adjust the cable on mine, i don't know if it's stretched or if the bracket was bent but it works now.

MitchJ · #4 10-04-2021, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken41

If yours is the cast iron differential like mine, the lever does not move very much. Why did you take the cable off? Is it frozen so it does not move? Get the back of the tractor up off the ground so the rear wheels turn free and move the lever to engage. Turn the rear wheels and see if they lock together, if they do it is good. A lot of times when they do not work it is because the cable is frozen.

Ken, I pulled the cable to make sure it was free and it was. The lever on the transmission only moves a little bit. But I’ll lift the rear and do your suggestion.

Yesterday I was pushing some brush and tried the lock and only one wheel would spin.

MitchJ · #5 10-04-2021, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken41

If yours is the cast iron differential like mine, the lever does not move very much. Why did you take the cable off? Is it frozen so it does not move? Get the back of the tractor up off the ground so the rear wheels turn free and move the lever to engage. Turn the rear wheels and see if they lock together, if they do it is good. A lot of times when they do not work it is because the cable is frozen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by guyina4x4

I had to adjust the cable on mine, i don't know if it's stretched or if the bracket was bent but it works now.

No my cable seems fine, the lever on the transmission doesn’t seem to move.

Ken41 · #6 10-04-2021, 01:42 PM

That lever has to compress a spring inside the differential and takes quite a bit to compress. It may be easier to hook the cable back up and use the pedal to pull on the lever.

MitchJ · #7 10-04-2021, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken41

That lever has to compress a spring inside the differential and takes quite a bit to compress. It may be easier to hook the cable back up and use the pedal to pull on the lever.

Yes sir- it is all hooked up- cable is adjusted tighter, but pushing down on the pedal, only stretches the spring, and the lever on the trans. doesnt move.

Gompers · #8 10-04-2021, 04:22 PM

The spring pulls the lever which I can't imagine is frozen. If it's rotating at all, the shaft is fine I'm sure.

That lever rotates a fork inside there that pushes the locking collar into the diff and then pins engage that hold the two halves of the diff together. The rear axle needs to rotate far enough for the pins to slide into the holes in the other half of the diff, so you need to engage it and move forward (or backwards) slowly until it "clunks".

If something is broken inside, either the spring sometimes breaks, the fork is worn (often happens if the diff is misadjusted and constantly rubbing), or the pins are shared off the left dealie there (happens when people engage the diff lock while the wheels are spinning and it slams into place), it won't work.

Here's what it looks like in an AL transmission. Case is different but the mechanism is the same.

Ken41 · #9 10-04-2021, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MitchJ

Yes sir- it is all hooked up- cable is adjusted tighter, but pushing down on the pedal, only stretches the spring, and the lever on the trans. doesnt move.

I take it that you did not over tighten the adjustment and left some free play before one moves the pedal?
When you had the cable off you pulled from each end and the cable freely moved for an inch of so?
Does the lever move in the opposite direction?

MitchJ · #10 10-04-2021, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken41

I take it that you did not over tighten the adjustment and left some free play before one moves the pedal?
When you had the cable off you pulled from each end and the cable freely moved for an inch of so?
Does the lever move in the opposite direction?

Yes the cable it totally free, and I did not over-tighten it- just took out the slack. The lever will move upwards a little bit, maybe a 1/8-1/4".