Kubota M9540HDC operation

hugo7432

New member

Equipment
Kubota M9540HDC, X36 loader, Trimax Warlord flail mower
Sep 1, 2020
21
2
3
Montville, Australia
Hi all

I have just taken delivery of my brand new Kubota M9540HDC (that is the 6 speed model with creep, low and high and a hydraulic shuttle but it is the non dual speed model) with an X36 loader and a Trimax Warlord flail. I am very happy with the tractor as it is a big upgrade over my old 2006 John Deere 2520 (which I'm still keeping though; it's a very good machine as well)!

I have a few questions for those who have experience with this model. Feel free to use technical language, I know a lot about tractors and mechanics.

1. Can I change the range (from creep to low to high) when moving, if I push the clutch in? Or do I have to come to a complete stop?

2. I've noticed that the range selector is very difficult to shift (when at a standstill with the clutch in, shuttle in neutral and gear shifter in neutral). Note I have the 3 different ranges of creep, low and high. I would describe the feel of the lever as sticky. Like it doesn't want to shift between the ranges. Does everyone have this issue or is it just me? Perhaps, is this something that wears in after a few hours of use? If I lift up the clutch and put it back down, I can eventually get it into the range I want. I haven't forced the gears at all nor will I ever do because I know this is bad for the gearbox. Nevertheless, what can I do to improve the shifting of the ranges?

3. The tractor salesman told me that I have to push the foot clutch in before engaging the PTO (mine is the non dual speed so I have a lever for the PTO, not a twist nob). Do I really need to do this? It doesn't say anything in the manual about doing so; it just says to engage the lever slowly at low engine rpm (which I have been doing in all 3 of my hours of use).

4. I know that on manual transmission tractors, you generally don't change gear while moving unless you absolutely have to. However, I note that the transmission that's on my model is a synchro gearbox for all 6 gears. So can I change gear while moving or would you advise against it? I have tried doing so at slow speed (low range) from 1st to 2nd gear and it feels ok; not as smooth as in a manual car but it is doable. Also, do I need to revmatch on downshifts or not? Cause it's kind of difficult when you have a hand throttle and you're not using the foot pedal.

I know that's a lot of questions but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Hugo.
 

bernhardine

Member

Equipment
M4072 (M4D-071), B7000
Jan 14, 2019
77
7
8
Germany
1. - the range-group is not synchronized. So stop to change.

2. - It is difficult at the beginning. It'll get better, but it needs up to 400 hours. Use the range shifter as often as you can. Playing a little bit with the foot clutch while trying to change the range helps a lot.

3. - foot clutch and PTO clutch are completely independent. So engage the PTO just only with the lever. You can do while driving

4. - the 6-gear box is completely synchonized. You can change all gears while moving. Up and down.
As long as the gearoil is cold, do it slowly because the hydraulic clutch then needs a little time to open (and close).
 

SidecarFlip

Banned

Equipment
M9000HDCC3, M9000HD, Kubota GS850 Sidekick
Oct 28, 2018
7,197
548
83
USA
Hi all

I have just taken delivery of my brand new Kubota M9540HDC (that is the 6 speed model with creep, low and high and a hydraulic shuttle but it is the non dual speed model) with an X36 loader and a Trimax Warlord flail. I am very happy with the tractor as it is a big upgrade over my old 2006 John Deere 2520 (which I'm still keeping though; it's a very good machine as well)!

I have a few questions for those who have experience with this model. Feel free to use technical language, I know a lot about tractors and mechanics.

1. Can I change the range (from creep to low to high) when moving, if I push the clutch in? Or do I have to come to a complete stop?

NO

2.
I've noticed that the range selector is very difficult to shift (when at a standstill with the clutch in, shuttle in neutral and gear shifter in neutral). Note I have the 3 different ranges of creep, low and high. I would describe the feel of the lever as sticky. Like it doesn't want to shift between the ranges. Does everyone have this issue or is it just me? Perhaps, is this something that wears in after a few hours of use? If I lift up the clutch and put it back down, I can eventually get it into the range I want. I haven't forced the gears at all nor will I ever do because I know this is bad for the gearbox. Nevertheless, what can I do to improve the shifting of the ranges?

You need a slight forward motion when you range shift.

3.
The tractor salesman told me that I have to push the foot clutch in before engaging the PTO (mine is the non dual speed so I have a lever for the PTO, not a twist nob). Do I really need to do this? It doesn't say anything in the manual about doing so; it just says to engage the lever slowly at low engine rpm (which I have been doing in all 3 of my hours of use).

No, engage at an idle or just above

4.
I know that on manual transmission tractors, you generally don't change gear while moving unless you absolutely have to. However, I note that the transmission that's on my model is a synchro gearbox for all 6 gears. So can I change gear while moving or would you advise against it? I have tried doing so at slow speed (low range) from 1st to 2nd gear and it feels ok; not as smooth as in a manual car but it is doable. Also, do I need to revmatch on downshifts or not? Cause it's kind of difficult when you have a hand throttle and you're not using the foot pedal.

I always match the ground speed and rpm and I don't use a clutch at all but that is an acquired thing that has to be learned. I would not attempt it if I were you. I always use the foot throttle except when matching pto speed for implements.

I think your model is actually an HDC3 if an open station and HDCC3 idfa cab.


I know that's a lot of questions but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Hugo.
Read above....
 

hugo7432

New member

Equipment
Kubota M9540HDC, X36 loader, Trimax Warlord flail mower
Sep 1, 2020
21
2
3
Montville, Australia
1. - the range-group is not synchronized. So stop to change.

2. - It is difficult at the beginning. It'll get better, but it needs up to 400 hours. Use the range shifter as often as you can. Playing a little bit with the foot clutch while trying to change the range helps a lot.

3. - foot clutch and PTO clutch are completely independent. So engage the PTO just only with the lever. You can do while driving

4. - the 6-gear box is completely synchonized. You can change all gears while moving. Up and down.
As long as the gearoil is cold, do it slowly because the hydraulic clutch then needs a little time to open (and close).
Great. Thank you for your help

Just another quick question, if I have the shuttle in neutral, can I shift gears, say from 3rd to 4th, without using the foot clutch?

So what im really asking is what is the order of the components: engine, clutch, shuttle, main gears, and range gears?
 

Tx Jim

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M7040 HDC-1,JD 4255,Ford 6700
Apr 30, 2013
1,180
117
63
Coyote Flats,Texas
Hugo
Welcome to OTT
Did you receive an operator's manual with your tractor? If so from a former new/used equipment salesman standpoint I strongly suggest you read your tractors OM as it contains a vast amount of valuable information that over the long run could save you a lot of $$$$$$$$$
 

hugo7432

New member

Equipment
Kubota M9540HDC, X36 loader, Trimax Warlord flail mower
Sep 1, 2020
21
2
3
Montville, Australia
Hugo
Welcome to OTT
Did you receive an operator's manual with your tractor? If so from a former new/used equipment salesman standpoint I strongly suggest you read your tractors OM as it contains a vast amount of valuable information that over the long run could save you a lot of $$$$$$$$$
Yep. I sure did. And I've read it. It just seems that stuff like how to actually drive the tractor is not part of the manual. And I know its obvious but there are little details that aren't covered.
 

Like Tractors

Member

Equipment
Several Kubotas
Jan 1, 2020
70
94
18
Eastern Iowa
Hi all

I have just taken delivery of my brand new Kubota M9540HDC (that is the 6 speed model with creep, low and high and a hydraulic shuttle but it is the non dual speed model) with an X36 loader and a Trimax Warlord flail. I am very happy with the tractor as it is a big upgrade over my old 2006 John Deere 2520 (which I'm still keeping though; it's a very good machine as well)!

I have a few questions for those who have experience with this model. Feel free to use technical language, I know a lot about tractors and mechanics.

1. Can I change the range (from creep to low to high) when moving, if I push the clutch in? Or do I have to come to a complete stop?

2. I've noticed that the range selector is very difficult to shift (when at a standstill with the clutch in, shuttle in neutral and gear shifter in neutral). Note I have the 3 different ranges of creep, low and high. I would describe the feel of the lever as sticky. Like it doesn't want to shift between the ranges. Does everyone have this issue or is it just me? Perhaps, is this something that wears in after a few hours of use? If I lift up the clutch and put it back down, I can eventually get it into the range I want. I haven't forced the gears at all nor will I ever do because I know this is bad for the gearbox. Nevertheless, what can I do to improve the shifting of the ranges?

3. The tractor salesman told me that I have to push the foot clutch in before engaging the PTO (mine is the non dual speed so I have a lever for the PTO, not a twist nob). Do I really need to do this? It doesn't say anything in the manual about doing so; it just says to engage the lever slowly at low engine rpm (which I have been doing in all 3 of my hours of use).

4. I know that on manual transmission tractors, you generally don't change gear while moving unless you absolutely have to. However, I note that the transmission that's on my model is a synchro gearbox for all 6 gears. So can I change gear while moving or would you advise against it? I have tried doing so at slow speed (low range) from 1st to 2nd gear and it feels ok; not as smooth as in a manual car but it is doable. Also, do I need to revmatch on downshifts or not? Cause it's kind of difficult when you have a hand throttle and you're not using the foot pedal.

I know that's a lot of questions but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Hugo.
How on earth did you find a brand new M9540HDC Tractor? Haven't they been superseded multiple times?
 
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SidecarFlip

Banned

Equipment
M9000HDCC3, M9000HD, Kubota GS850 Sidekick
Oct 28, 2018
7,197
548
83
USA
Oh really, so pushing the foot clutch is the same thing mechanically as the shuttle in neutral?

REALLY...... :rolleyes:

There is NO clutch in any 'H' designate Kubota tractor. The 'clutch' is really a modulation valve that controls the lockup of the hydraulic travelling clutch pack.

It's all in your owners manual as Tx Jim states in his post.
 
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Reactions: 1 user

Tx Jim

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M7040 HDC-1,JD 4255,Ford 6700
Apr 30, 2013
1,180
117
63
Coyote Flats,Texas
Annotation 2020-09-03 065417.png

REALLY...... :rolleyes:

There is NO clutch in any 'H' designate Kubota tractor. The 'clutch' is really a modulation valve that controls the lockup of the hydraulic travelling clutch pack.
Tractors with hyd shuttle have a damper disk with springs that's bolted directly to engine flywheel to help absorb shock loads from changing directions/initial tractor movement but has no linkage associated with foot pedal
 
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Reactions: 1 user

hugo7432

New member

Equipment
Kubota M9540HDC, X36 loader, Trimax Warlord flail mower
Sep 1, 2020
21
2
3
Montville, Australia
Tractors with hyd shuttle have a damper disk with springs that's bolted directly to engine flywheel to help absorb shock loads from changing directions/initial tractor movement but has no linkage associated with foot pedal
Ok. Good to know. Thankyou.
 

hugo7432

New member

Equipment
Kubota M9540HDC, X36 loader, Trimax Warlord flail mower
Sep 1, 2020
21
2
3
Montville, Australia
REALLY...... :rolleyes:

There is NO clutch in any 'H' designate Kubota tractor. The 'clutch' is really a modulation valve that controls the lockup of the hydraulic travelling clutch pack.

It's all in your owners manual as Tx Jim states in his post.
Ok. Thankyou.