I have a 1993 Kubota B1550. Somehow (and my sons have no idea how) the differential is locked on and I can't get it unlocked. I have tried to pull it up while not moving and also while moving slowly forward and backward. Any suggestions on what to do to get it to unlock?
B1550 with differential locked on
- Thread starter B1550 in Eads
- Start date
A number of things to try....
Try turning while moving to take the pressure off the gears keeping the Diff lock engaged. Try slight pressure on individual rear brakes while turning. Best to do this on non paved surfaces. If you can jack up one rear wheel so that the pressure on the diff lock is removed and the lever should come off.
Dave M7040
Try turning while moving to take the pressure off the gears keeping the Diff lock engaged. Try slight pressure on individual rear brakes while turning. Best to do this on non paved surfaces. If you can jack up one rear wheel so that the pressure on the diff lock is removed and the lever should come off.
Dave M7040
North Idaho Wolfman
Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
The parts diagram attached shows the linkages involved. You can get the rest of the book for free at www.kubotabooks.com
Welcome to the forum!
If you don't use it frequently, it will stick. It does on my B7100, but I can drive it slowly in a straight line while pulling up on the foot lever and get it to release. I then push back down, repeating the process, until it works freely.
Don't be too hard on your sons- it is easy to hit it with your heal, and unintentionally push it down.
If you don't use it frequently, it will stick. It does on my B7100, but I can drive it slowly in a straight line while pulling up on the foot lever and get it to release. I then push back down, repeating the process, until it works freely.
Don't be too hard on your sons- it is easy to hit it with your heal, and unintentionally push it down.
Last edited:
Thank you everyone for your advice. The tractor does not have 4 wheel drive. I tried all of your suggestions but nothing has worked yet. I did notice the the differential lock rod appears to be somewhat bent. Could that be causing the problem? I fear this is goo g to be an expensive repair if it has to be broken down to be fixed. 
If it is external, that is not difficult or expensive to repair. If it is stuck from lack or use, it should pop back up. I would jack one side up, and have someone gently turn that tire (off the ground) while you pull up on the lever- unloading the tension on the differential might allow you to manually disengage it. If that doesn't work, the differential may have to be opened up to get to the pins. Driving it around with it locked up will do more damage, over time.
Russell King
Well-known member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Use some penetrating oil on the shaft where it enters the tractor case.
Give it some time to work.
I suggest PB Blaster over WD-40 but anything is better than nothing.
Without further advise from the more informed posters I would refrain from prying too hard on the pedal to get it to come up. I have no idea how much force it would take to break/bend something so just try to refrain from too much force unless other advise is given.
I have a slight problem with prying too hard too often and getting things into worse condition, even when that little voice says to stop!
Give it some time to work.
I suggest PB Blaster over WD-40 but anything is better than nothing.
Without further advise from the more informed posters I would refrain from prying too hard on the pedal to get it to come up. I have no idea how much force it would take to break/bend something so just try to refrain from too much force unless other advise is given.
I have a slight problem with prying too hard too often and getting things into worse condition, even when that little voice says to stop!
Russell King
Well-known member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Linking this to similar thread:
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?p=147999#post147999
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?p=147999#post147999
Well my wonderful son managed to get it unlocked after working with it for about 30 - 45 minutes. Thank goodness.
Seriously considering disabling the lever to avoid this in the future. The tractor is used 99% of the time to cut grass and I don't really need the differential lock.
Thank you to everyone that sent me suggestions and encouragement.
Seriously considering disabling the lever to avoid this in the future. The tractor is used 99% of the time to cut grass and I don't really need the differential lock.
Thank you to everyone that sent me suggestions and encouragement.
Last edited:
Give us the details of "unlocked after working with it for about 30 - 45 minutes", so it might help in the future. Thanks.
He started to cut the grass very slowly and every few minutes would attempt to unlock the differential. I can only assume after being bounced around some it got to a point where the pin was able to dislodge.