455G shifting issue

[Ol'455G]

Hi all,
 
I bought a John Deere 455G with backhoe on it, I believe its roughly a mid 90s’ model.
I bought it after Hurricane Helene to clean up the property and decided to keep it because it so useful.
It has been a great strong machine.
Recently though it has started having shifting issues.
After I have been on it a while it gets where it will not shift into gear, forward or reverse. I can fiddle with it and it will occasionally go into gear. To correct this I have to shut down and restart the machine. I tends to start happening after I have done some offgrade loader work.
 
I suspect there is trash in the system that gets picked up after it has been running a bit and clogging in the system somewhere. When I shut down the machine the trash is settling back down and clearing the clog.
 
Does anyone have any experience with this. Is there a strainer somewhere that can be easily reached?
Note; It has always had a delay when changing gears, usually no more than 1-2 seconds. Is this normal?

[Jim B]

Welcome to the Boards.

Unfortunately, you are likely to get little info here on your crawler. There has been a bit of threads on machines as new as yours. Most here are the older machines with the HLR transmission (450E) and before. The G transmission is a different animal.

It does have a screen that can be serviced. If you don't have the Operator's manual for your crawler, I suggest you get a copy it will have info on servicing the various components. Beyond that the 455G uses the same technical (service) manuals as a couple other models of that design. It is a two-volume set of manuals. First is TM1403 Operation and Testing. This has the info needed to test and diagnose problems. The second manual is TM1404 Repair. It is the wrenching info for making repairs. Both are needed, but TM1403 would be the first I would get.

Are you only adding John Deere Hy Gard or a UTHF meeting the J20C spec when it needs transmission or hydraulic oil?

If the link below works, it will take you to the JD Construction and Forestry Bookstore where you can download and save a free copy of the Operator's manual (the download is free, if you want a printed or electronic copy, those have to be purchased). You can also see the other manuals for the 455G which are available to purchase from that site.

https://www.johndeeretechinfo.com/searc ... g&pattr=p0

[Ol'455G]

Jim,
Thank you for the manual information.

I have not done any sort of transmission service to the machine since I got it. I will use that information to go after a fluid and filter change.

Note: I have been using the premium fluid from Tractor Supply, it claims to meet the J20C spec. Much more affordable than hygard. So far so good in the hydraulic system.
I had to top off after blowing the hydraulic return line when I first got it and the backhoe cylinders have some leak down.

[Jim B]

I have used the TSC Traveller Premium UTHF without any issues.

[LeonardL]

Just the little bit that I know... Those "G" models do not like dirty filters. If your transmission filter hasn't been changed then that would be a great place to start. I don't remember exactly where the screen that Jim mentioned is located but I think they are serviced from the rear of the machine.

Also... Jim is right about a good set of books for your machine. As I recall there are some adjustments that can be an issue so a good tech manual would be a great thing to have.

[Ol'455G]

Filters ordered.
Looking at JD website, it appears the screen is on the front of the trans case. Thus I'll have to go in through the belly pan or through the op deck to get to it.

Question-
I was under the impression that the drives/transmission had their own hydraulic fluid circuit, isolated from the other hydraulic functions such as the loader, thus the two separate filters
After further investigation it appears that the trans can draw off the main hydraulic reservoir. Is this the case?

This matters as the screen I want to clean is pretty low in the system and that is a lot of hydraulic fluid, 27 gal in trans, 10 gal in reservoir plus what's in the lines and cylinders.

[LeonardL]

On the screen position??? I went and looked at the picture on JD Parts and I think that screen is actually positioned in the rear. I may be wrong which here lately I have screwed the pooch on a couple of questions. But again... a good operators manual will give you that information.

I really can't answer your question on the hydraulics. It was my impression that the main hydraulic system was separate from the transmission. Here again I was only around a few of the G model machines and we never had any issues with them.

Our operators took care of all the routine maintenance items like that screen and the filters. So I never did much to them other than minor things. When they are right they are basically a bullet proof machine. Or at least that was our experience with them.

[Jim B]

Download the Operator's manual from the location I gave you the other day. It has the info you are looking for regarding both the transmission and hydraulics.

[Ol'455G]

Manual confirms that trans screen is under operator station. Still can't confirm that they the 2 hydraulic systems are linked but it reads as if they are not. I should have some time to dig into it tomorrow.

[Jim B]

Look at the 10-hour daily checks and filter servicing.

The transmission has a dipstick. The Hydraulic reservoir has a site gauge and is located well above the transmission. They each have their own filtration systems. They are separate systems.

[LeonardL]

Okay so third time is the charm!!! You will have to look over me because I'm old dude... You can't fix old!! Anyway after looking at the pictures yet again at JD parts you are correct. the screen is on the front of the case. Again... sorry to have led you wrong on that. So I think I'm done. Time to stay out of the way. Good luck and I hope you get this sorted.