L35 transmissions questions

[WonderingWoods]

I just received a L35 skid steer in a trade and after unloading it from the trailer it stalled and hasn't been willing to run for more than 30 seconds. I've been fixing some stuff to get it going (battle cable, cleaning the carb, filters, etc) and when I had been trying to start it I would get a grinding sound on the left side. Moving the transmission lever would stop this (starting would be easier at this point as well). So I jacked it up and blocked it off of the ground to see about adjusting the pivots for the transmissions. Here is my question. This is with it turned off. On the right hand side I can't move the wheels forward or backwards with it off of the ground, i can only move them a very tiny bit and the lever would move a little. On the left hand side I can't move the wheels forward but when I try to turn them backwards they will turn and you can hear the chain/gears on that side moving. So I'm curious what is actually probably happening? When it is blocked off of the ground should the wheels be able to freely turn? If not then what might cause them to freely turn one way but not the other? The skid steer was driven up onto the trailer and driven off of it, and since I've gotten it here I've moved it a little after I get it started once so it seems like the transmissions are probably ok. Maybe a bypass valve or? Any help or troubleshooting recommendations would be appreciated. I'm going to adjust the pivot parts for the levers on Saturday and try to start it up again with it off of the ground to see what happens.

 

[Mike10]

Take the side plate off between the wheels and check the reduction gears for missing teeth. These are the two gears that you see when you look straight into the chain case.

 

[WonderingWoods]

Take the side plate off between the wheels and check the reduction gears for missing teeth. These are the two gears that you see when you look straight into the chain case.

No teeth missing (the center gear is a little worn down but nothing that is unusable. When turning the wheels with the plate off the transmission gear that sticks into that area turns backwards but not forwards (as in when i turn the wheels clockwise the gear turns, when I try to push them counter clockwise it won't). Could this be a valve in the transmission or maybe something else inside of it doing this? There is no parking brake on this unit. What prevents the wheels from turning when the unit is turned off and blocked up off of the ground? The chain is also super loose so I'm going to tighten that up some before putting the plate back on. New fluids will come later when I get it moved up to my shop area. I have pictures that I can post with the cover off (from between the wheels) and even a short video of everything turning when I move the tires (though it isn't very good).

 

[Mike10]

No teeth missing (the center gear is a little worn down but nothing that is unusable. When turning the wheels with the plate off the transmission gear that sticks into that area turns backwards but not forwards (as in when i turn the wheels clockwise the gear turns, when I try to push them counter clockwise it won't). Could this be a valve in the transmission or maybe something else inside of it doing this? There is no parking brake on this unit. What prevents the wheels from turning when the unit is turned off and blocked up off of the ground? The chain is also super loose so I'm going to tighten that up some before putting the plate back on. New fluids will come later when I get it moved up to my shop area. I have pictures that I can post with the cover off (from between the wheels) and even a short video of everything turning when I move the tires (though it isn't very good).

There is a tow valve but unless someone turned it that should not be your problem. From the center gearbox the hydro pump is bolted to the gearbox, then a valve block and then the hydroi motor. The tow valve is in the center valve block and is facing straight forward. It is a small shaft with two flat sides about 1/2" in diameter. It should be turned in the same direction as the other side. You might want to take the cover off the center gearbox and check those gears.

 

[WonderingWoods]

There is a tow valve but unless someone turned it that should not be your problem. From the center gearbox the hydro pump is bolted to the gearbox, then a valve block and then the hydroi motor. The tow valve is in the center valve block and is facing straight forward. It is a small shaft with two flat sides about 1/2" in diameter. It should be turned in the same direction as the other side. You might want to take the cover off the center gearbox and check those gears.

Figured out how the tow valve worked after playing around with it some earlier in the week (manual shows a different style *the one you described*). These are on top of the center valve block on the top and you lift them up to release them for towing (I used a screw driver) rather than turning them. What I'm not sure of is what would cause the wheels to turn backwards but not forwards when off of the ground, if it was a gear stripped I would assume the wheels would be able to turn both ways. I checked in the gear box and that is looking ok. I'll have a friend turn the wheels backwards while I look in there to see if the gear turns without engaging but I suspect I won't find an issue there. Is there a pressure releaf valve in the transmission that could cause the wheels to turn freely one direction?

 

[Mike10]

Figured out how the tow valve worked after playing around with it some earlier in the week (manual shows a different style *the one you described*). These are on top of the center valve block on the top and you lift them up to release them for towing (I used a screw driver) rather than turning them. What I'm not sure of is what would cause the wheels to turn backwards but not forwards when off of the ground, if it was a gear stripped I would assume the wheels would be able to turn both ways. I checked in the gear box and that is looking ok. I'll have a friend turn the wheels backwards while I look in there to see if the gear turns without engaging but I suspect I won't find an issue there. Is there a pressure releaf valve in the transmission that could cause the wheels to turn freely one direction?

I am guessing you have a very early L35 with the Vickers brand transmission. The later L35 used Cessna transmissions like the book shows. If the gearbox shaft is turning and the small gear in the chain case is not turning when the lever is stroked, then you have an internal problem. I am not very familiar with the Vickers.

 

[WonderingWoods]

I am guessing you have a very early L35 with the Vickers brand transmission. The later L35 used Cessna transmissions like the book shows. If the gearbox shaft is turning and the small gear in the chain case is not turning when the lever is stroked, then you have an internal problem. I am not very familiar with the Vickers.

Thank you for the info. I tightened the chains, filled the nearly empty hydraulic system, and got the ignition system going well (so glad for pertronix ignition replacement kits). When running the wheels all engage and work (including the left side when going in reverse) so I have no idea why when it is turned off it can free spin backwards on the left side. My next task is to replace the fuel tank, or at least get it out so someone can redo it. You wouldn't happen to know if it is possible to get the tank out without removing the engine first?