Older Kubota L3350 stuck in gear

Bill C

New member

Equipment
1986 Kubota L3350
Jun 29, 2023
6
3
3
Northern Idaho
I have a 1984 Kubota L3350 which is stuck in probably 2 gears. I was up on a mountain behind my place working in the woods at the time and couId make it back home to my tools. I have dealt with this in other equipment and it can usually be remedied with the linkage. I removed the seat and a panel over the linkage and where the shifting lever connects to the linkage. 2 small bolts had loosened. I tightened them and tried it then, it still wouldn't shift, but now also the tractor won't move. There is a shifter for four gears, a separate one for high and low, and a forword reverse lever. Clutch linkage is still good. Is there a way without taking the transmission apart to fix this, or another simple way? The nearest Kubota shop is about 50 miles away. And since it doesn't move under it's own power, I can't easily load it on a trailer. I can usually do simple to moderate mechanical things myself (I ran both farm and hvy construction equipment for over 50 years for a living and had to keep it going) . I need to move some wood and other equipment, as it is all in the way. Bill
 

JimmyJazz

Well-known member

Equipment
B2601
Aug 8, 2020
1,267
802
113
Pittsburgh, Pa
I have a 1984 Kubota L3350 which is stuck in probably 2 gears. I was up on a mountain behind my place working in the woods at the time and couId make it back home to my tools. I have dealt with this in other equipment and it can usually be remedied with the linkage. I removed the seat and a panel over the linkage and where the shifting lever connects to the linkage. 2 small bolts had loosened. I tightened them and tried it then, it still wouldn't shift, but now also the tractor won't move. There is a shifter for four gears, a separate one for high and low, and a forword reverse lever. Clutch linkage is still good. Is there a way without taking the transmission apart to fix this, or another simple way? The nearest Kubota shop is about 50 miles away. And since it doesn't move under it's own power, I can't easily load it on a trailer. I can usually do simple to moderate mechanical things myself (I ran both farm and hvy construction equipment for over 50 years for a living and had to keep it going) . I need to move some wood and other equipment, as it is all in the way. Bill
This might sound stupid but have you tried rocking it and or moving it with a come along while fidgeting with the gear lever? Maybe at least get it into neutral. Good luck.
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,
Apr 2, 2019
13,114
5,782
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
hmm, I re-reread his post, and think the' 2 loose bolts' were #100 in the NIW supplied diagram ?? If so, gears are jammed,needs to be shifted using a big screwdriver or SMALL prybar. Then line up forks,with gears and reinstall the cover.
Be sure tractor is BLOCKED ,to prevent rolling when tranny goes into neutral !
 

Bill C

New member

Equipment
1986 Kubota L3350
Jun 29, 2023
6
3
3
Northern Idaho
This might sound stupid but have you tried rocking it and or moving it with a come along while fidgeting with the gear lever? Maybe at least get it into neutral. Good luck.
Thanks, Jimmy, rocked it back and forth several times, on several occasions. It hasn't worked yet.
 

Bill C

New member

Equipment
1986 Kubota L3350
Jun 29, 2023
6
3
3
Northern Idaho
hmm, I re-reread his post, and think the' 2 loose bolts' were #100 in the NIW supplied diagram ?? If so, gears are jammed,needs to be shifted using a big screwdriver or SMALL prybar. Then line up forks,with gears and reinstall the cover.
Be sure tractor is BLOCKED ,to prevent rolling when tranny goes into neutral !
hmm, I re-reread his post, and think the' 2 loose bolts' were #100 in the NIW supplied diagram ?? If so, gears are jammed,needs to be shifted using a big screwdriver or SMALL prybar. Then line up forks,with gears and reinstall the cover.
Be sure tractor is BLOCKED ,to prevent rolling when tranny goes into neutral !
Thanks Jay. I was hoping I wouldn't have to go into the case. My pressure washer stopped working a year ago, but I'll clean it as best as I can and try. The 2 bolts connected the gear shift lever to the linkage?(never seen linkage like that before) going to the case. I looked at diagrams online which had everything in one small picture. Yours makes more sense. And bucket is down and tipped up so it bites into the almost level ground. First one I had to get out of two gears was a 58 chevy bel aire in the 60's for my mother. It had 3 on the tree, and everything was outside, under the hood. The older John deeres also would do that. thanks again, I'll copy your diagram and work on it either this morning, or afternoon. Bill
 

Bill C

New member

Equipment
1986 Kubota L3350
Jun 29, 2023
6
3
3
Northern Idaho
Thanks Jay. I was hoping I wouldn't have to go into the case. My pressure washer stopped working a year ago, but I'll clean it as best as I can and try. The 2 bolts connected the gear shift lever to the linkage?(never seen linkage like that before) going to the case. I looked at diagrams online which had everything in one small picture. Yours makes more sense. And bucket is down and tipped up so it bites into the almost level ground. First one I had to get out of two gears was a 58 chevy bel aire in the 60's for my mother. It had 3 on the tree, and everything was outside, under the hood. The older John deeres also would do that. thanks again, I'll copy your diagram and work on it either this morning, or afternoon. Bill
Well, it works now.2 hours pulling things out of the way, 5 minutes taking the cover off, 15 seconds freeing things and 3 hrs putting it back together. I get slower the older I get. Bill
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Bill C

New member

Equipment
1986 Kubota L3350
Jun 29, 2023
6
3
3
Northern Idaho
Have you pulled this case?
View attachment 106183
Sorry, I got threads mixed. Thanks for the diagram. It was concisen ot like the one I downloaded from the net. I've been meaning to get me a parts and work shop manual.
Have you pulled this case?
View attachment 106183
North Idaho Wolfman Not sure what i'm doing, my reply keeps disappearing darn computers anyway, Thanks for the diagram. I initially thought it came from GreensvilleJay. I fixed it finally. Been meaning to get both a parts manual, and a workshop manual to add to my others. Thanks again. Bill
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

GrizBota

Well-known member

Equipment
L3830HST/LA724, B2601/LA435/RCK54-32, RCR1872, CDI 66”grapple, pallet forks
Apr 26, 2023
1,147
732
113
Oregon
Glad to hear you got it fixed. It sounded like a heck of a deal to have to haul to the shop. I’ll bet they wouldn’t have got it done in six hours.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user