MY Ford Tractor Loader Backhoe will not go forward or reverse

[@richardross7219]

Thanks for the video. I figure prices have doubled by now. Good Luck, Rick

[@johnpullman3227]

Very good video. Thank you. After bolting the rebuild engine back on to my 4500 TLB it started and moved as it should. A month later I volunteered to bury a dead cow for a neighbor and it drove fine for about 6 minutes. I got to the gate to turn into the pasture where the old girl needed burying and the 4500 would not move forward or reverse. In deciding to not get into the rear part of the tractor, I had used the mantra of “if it aint broke don’t fix it “ and I put the 4500 back together without tearing into the clutch pack, torque converter and pump. It had been working OK prior to hearing a knock in the motor which had led to the rebuild on the engine. So in this case I guessed wrong. I wish I had seen your video before I had gotten to the point of bolting the engine back on the front end. Had I looked ahead with more foresight I would have unbolted the center section where it bolts to the rearend and taken it into the shop and rebuilt it all while I had the chance. At that point I wouldn’t have had to remove the backhoe since the entire front end was out of the way. Much as I hate to say this I think I am looking at taking the hoe off, splitting the tractor again and going thru the entire back half of the machine. I work under a shade tree down at the farm but this seems to be one of those occasions where putting the whole rearend on the trailer and dragging it back to the shop is in order. If I do this I will literally have rebuilt the entire tractor from that terrible power steering setup, front axle, main hydraulic pump, engine, hoses, steering box, rusted out fuel tank and both valve bodies for the loader and backhoe. What have I forgotten? I can't understand how it would work just fine one minute and then quit the next. Hey it's an antique right?

[@Halenstimbertime]

Thanks a million for All Your videos! It’s Awesome to find someone with Your knowledge and experience that is willing to share it with Us. I totally trust You and when You say that’s what We have do to fix power reversing trans I know that’s what we need to do You Sir have removed All of My fear of doing this work on My Ford 4500 and You saved Me thousands by sharing You Da Man!!! Thanks again Brother

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

No problem! Anytime!

[@devinmanderson]

Finally I found a video resource to help me out...just picked up a 1967 3500 industrial loader with a B.A. box blade on it...its got the TC tranny it works good but I was very concerned about parts for it Thanks for the knowledge im gonna start hoarding up parts for it now.

[@petroczinationalrailservic10]

Going to be breaking my 5500 TLB in a couple months. Watched a video of someone doing it supporting the transmission side and setting up railway ties under the motor with a floor jack and using a come along to separate the front half.

[@stephenhansen8906]

I’m wanting to get a machine it seems like the same set up 555b it has the same set up it won’t go forward but it will go reverse

[@j.garner8295]

Thank you, I am having all this replaced in my Ford 575D Tractor Loader. Hopefully it will be all put back together by the end of this month. Thanks again. Your video is greatly appreciated.

[@ocuciprian4603]

Ford 555 drives forward and reverse just that it's the opposite lever position And when drive on the road sometimes the tractor will almost stall and if you put it in neutral will start drive in the opposite normal direction of travel

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Pump and valve body issue

[@sandhillharry]

Thanh you for taking your time to make this video available .

[@Le_Comte_de_Monte_Felin]

I appreciate this video a great deal. Bought a 455c backhoe/loader & it goes forward or reverse with no problem... but only goes to about 2mph wide open. Happily digs loader bucket into wet clay at that speed but no power / speed change when gears are changed. (The only way I could confirm it really was changing gears was coasting down hill and each gear will 'hold back' the tractor correctly. Just no power above that 2mph speed in any gear.. Don't even get me started about the brakes... so far as I know, there are none - just pretty pedals mashed to the floor and bent rods underneath. (I don't think the old fella adjusted anything on it - levers, shifters, controls, brakes... this machine has more slop than than a 90 year old hooker at a frat party.)

[@user-wo7rz3yn4o]

Very good information, thanks for that. You are obviously knowledgeable on the subject. Lord help me that I never need to do that job on my 4500.

[@user-du7pe6pm7d]

Good Show -- Have me a ford 555D 4 WD - cant find the serial number to know the year - wonder where it is - doesn't Wont to go forward or reverse when lights are turned on - Ever heard of that one ------ Wonder if a service manual is available for this model -

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

most likely a short to ground in the fuse block.. or you have wires with naked spots shorting at your shuttle lever (have also seen similar issues where someone replaced the key switch assembly with an aftermarket universal one.. and had the aux. wire and switched 12v circuit wired backwards... expecially if they used a switch ment for gas engines that do not have the extra glow plug/heater pin position)

[@user-du7pe6pm7d]

@@AtlastaFarmCo thXxx - figured short - very much appreciated response - would ya know where the serial number is on em for the year model ? --- do you know if there are any service manuals available from anybody -- thXx again --- oh yeah - and in case my brain ain't big enough to find the problem -- how far behind / busy are you guys?

[@bartz118]

I know this was a while ago, But you mention the little snap ring. I put the clutch body back on the shaft and before putting in the clutches I put the snap ring back on. But the only place it seems to go is where there is about an 1/8 of an inch wide groove in the shaft. Is that where the snap ring goes or did I place it in the wrong spot. It allows the clutch body to move forward and back a little bit. Thats the only spot that I see that it can go. And I can't remember when I removed it how loose it was.

[@USMC_Motor_Tuh]

M & M, thank you for the helpful video. A friend of mine picked up an old 420, when cold it will move F/R but after a few minutes will no longer move. He asked me to dig into it to find the problem, I figured I should take some pressure readings first. I have been under the machine and found the metal line inside the TC cavity, as well as a larger pipe plug on the bottom of the valve body. Where do I need to measure hydraulic pressure and what should they be?

[@aikenanderson9123]

This information really help me,i have a 550 ford that go's in forward but won't go in reverse

[@Andyborowik]

Same problem with my ford 550 its not going back.

[@johnpullman3227]

Thinking back to my problems with my shifter clutches, and how I found the internal pump filter was completely plugged with sludge and weird jelly. I’m thinking the plugged filter was the root of my problem. Very devious of Ford to hide the most important filter on the tractor where you can’t get at it without splitting the machine. Now that I’m all done completely rebuilding the whole rear end my hind sight is beginning to kick in. Seems like after draining all the oil out of the transmission / clutch housing you could find a way to get at the internal filter thru the connecting openings in the bottom of the transmission case. I’m wondering if anyone has tried draining all the oil out of the transmission and using one of those spy cameras and going thru the opening in the bottom why you couldn’t look to see if A) the internal filter was plugged and B) if so what would it take to clean enough goo off the filter to make it work again. Cleaning the internal filter won't fix blown seals, aged o-rings, burnt up clutch plates or a bad pump. But it would give you a fighting chance to correctly diagnose the issues without splitting the tractor. Anything would beat the heck out of splitting the tractor. For those who haven’t been inside the transmission case yet, there are 3 chambers which make up the middle casting. The forward most one contains the flywheel, torque converter, shifter linkage, the transmission lockout, the transmission oil pump and oil distributor. You can get into it to look by removing the steering column and or the observation plate under the tractor. The rear most chamber contains the actual steel gears of the transmission. You get to it by removing the shifter cover. The mysterious middle chamber contains the clutch pack assembly, the reversing gear and the odious internal filter. There are 3 openings into the middle chamber. There is one at the very bottom of the gear case under the counter shaft thru into the middle chamber. Another is the oil drain plug. The third is the hole thru which the oil cooler gets overflow from the back of the oil distributor. They faked us out by installing an external spin on filter for the oil cooler on the outside to make us think we were fixing something by changing the oil cooler filter. It doesn’t. I’m waiting for somebody smarter than me to come up with a clever way to get something in there to look at the filter and maybe clean it. Have we got any spelunkers out there?

[@Andyborowik]

Good job. Thanks for your movie. My backhoe is not going back. So i knew problem now.

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Glad it helped

[@j1w2t3]

thanks for a great video I have a 545 backhoe I would like to change the tranmission oil Is there anything to service while changing the transmission oil? What type oil to use? Does the transmission and rear end share the same oil? about how much oil will I need? thanks

[@b.a.1591]

Don't know if you are still around but some one might find this helpfull the information I found was You should use a Universal Tractor / Trans Fluid (UTF) That says on the label meets or exceeds Ford / New Holland M2C134D specification. I use the (Travelers Premium UTF) from Tractor supply it's the cheapest I can find for how much my tractor leaks. Also you can use it for everything on the tractor Steering / Bucket / Rear end / Transmission I needed about 20 Gal for everything 5-6 for each of the 3 parts

[@j1w2t3]

thanks@@b.a.1591

[@ivanvrabel8489]

Thanks. Good to know I Try help it shifting only when backhoe is in full stop

[@jasonhall9468]

I have a ford 445 backhoe auto will drive forwards or backwards cold when it warms up won't pull its self

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Sounds like the clutch pack seals and the pump are failing. When cold the oil is thick enough to seal any wear and imperfections to build the required pressure. When hot it's too thin to do the job.

[@alexgout]

Thank you fot this video, a real eye-opener. I live in the Netherlands and bought a Ford 550 backhoe with Power Reversing transmission. bought it for demolition works and ground works. I tested it before I bought it but did not notice the bad clutch. because I did not drive it. It will go forward and backward, Forward is difficult and only in lower gears. dit work in 4th wen cold. but did not drive anymore when it got warm. could only use 2nd gear and with luck 3rd. with slipping clutch. I want to replace the clutch and all the o-rings. because they could leak to. ( seen that in your other video) What would you recommend? what parts do i have to replace? what gaskets, o-rings, oil seals do I have to replace and order?

[@MichiganQueenFan]

Trying to help my Dad find a solution to fix his 1992 Ford 555C. He says the power reversing transmission is always stuck in forward travel, no matter where he moves the shuttle shifter. The electric buttons on the loader lever and main 4 speed transmission do not stop the pressure to move forward. Any ideas are appreciated.

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Multiple possibilities here. Fluid contamination, or incorrect fluid / clogged filters can cause this. Also I believe this model would be the electric solenoid shifted version. Solenoids are prone to stick (due to water or contaminated fluid) Also the shifter at the steering wheel were notorious for failures. (AND NOT CHEAP TO REPLACE!!)

[@tinzshan]

My mf50b T096 backhoe starts but won't go forward or reverse...drive shaft is not spinning when machine is on but can spin the tyres with hand...any help

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Is been a hot minute since we have had hands on one of those, will have to dig up the books and look at diagrams to see possibilities. Is yours a shuttle with clutch or with torque converter (like automatic)?

[@tinzshan]

@@AtlastaFarmCo I'm not sure but the foot pedal has arrow showing going forward and reverse...

[@machoman2336]

Can i get to that test port copper line from the top under the steering column mine broke off?

[@squarewheel6182]

thanks for the video, very well explained, they are a great old tractor, I own a 3550 loader, are all parts for the transmission still available, I'm looking to rebuild mine at some stage,

[@petroczinationalrailservic10]

Does that happen when switching from forward to reverse without stopping?

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Very likely

[@alumicomp]

I have a 555 loader backhoe and I know there are models like A,B,C and D. Do you have any information about how I can tell the difference in these models..?

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

The Letter designation really only stands for the model by manufacture date range (generation) and not a "submodel" like you may think. All 555 tractors are the same base series. so a "555" would have been made from '78-84.. then the second generation (555A) '84-85 then (555B) '85-'88 (555C) '89-'92 (555D) '93-'95 and the last generation (555E) '96-'99. Again the "letter" is just a designation for the generation of 555.

[@mikestanley4594]

I have a 1990 Ford 455C one day I cranked it and it wouldn't go in forward or reverse no matter what I did. I changed the Hydraulic filter on the transmission and it worked just fine after that. Used it all day long. Then parked it and now its doing the same thing. So I changed the filter again but its still wont go into forward or reverse. And yes it does have the electric shift on the column. Any ideas?

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Sounds like the solenoid may be sticking

[@patsbodyshop]

do you have a video on splitting the 4500 with backhoe i have a 1974 4500 its leaking real good and will go what ever way the shiftier is in when you start it hen to go the other way you have to shut it down and shift it then restart it fun fun

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Sorry, we do not have one yet. We actually have a 4500 TLB sitting on the yard with the same symptoms minus the leak.. it IS on the list to make a video of, but no set date for that yet.

[@johnpullman3227]

@@AtlastaFarmCo Briefly, to split the 4500 I gritted my teeth and detached the backhoe as per the instructions. Then I jacked up the rear axle and removed the tires to gain access to loosen the bolts attaching the loader frame to the axles. Once the frame bolts are loose I put the tires back on. You need to drain all the hydraulic oil out of the frame so you can detach the crossover pipe. You will need to remove both floor boards and brake hardware as well as the external oil cooler lines and spin on filter. The fuel tank and steering column come off so you can unbolt the flex plate from the flywheel from inside the bell housing. Once you have removed all the stuff bolted to the center housing you will need to remove the hydraulic lines coming from the pump and going to the loader valves. At that point you lower the loader frame down far enough to let the axles roll back past the frame brackets. I supported the engine on jackstands and used an overhead hoist to support the transmission as I rolled it back on its tires away from the engine. Once the axles were clear of the frame I supported the frame on jackstands as well. I do not have a shop where the backhoe lives so I loaded the rearend on my 16 foot flat bed and hauled it back to the shop where I could work on it near the AC and toilet. LOL It just barely fit between the side rails of the trailer with the tires on.

[@johnpullman3227]

Sounds like your shifter lockout pins are binding. Remove the fuel tank / steering column in order to remove the lockout valve which sits on top of the transmission pump. You will need a strong magnet to get the lockout pins out of the hole they’re in down in the top of the oil distributor . Clean everything up very well and make sure the 2 tiny lockout pistons move freely in their cylinders. The lockout keeps you from shifting from forward to reverse with the engine at anything but idle speed. If the seal at the front of the pump is leaking you will need to split the tractor to fix that.

[@monroefiredog]

Hi, Thanks for the video, Great Info!! I have a 2004 Caterpillar 303cr mini ex, just replaced the hydraulic pump, now it will not work. I was told by a mechanic that the pump needs to be adjusted. I have never heard of that before. Is this true?

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Sorry. I have to admit I do not have that much experience with excavators other than rebuilding cylinders and hoses. You might be surprised if you call cat directly. They might be more than open with info. Gregory Poole is our local cat manufacturer here easy side. They are pretty open

[@j.garner8295]

J. Garner. Thanks for the video, very informative. Wish you were located in Dallas, TX. I have a Ford 575D tractor/loader with the same problem. Would what u discussed in this video be the same for my 575D. I have already replaced the solenoids , shuttle shifter, fwd/reverse module with no results. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you.

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

It is a very high probability. The shifting setup is different, (usually electronic) in later models like the 5xx series but the business end (clutches etc.) are the same. If you know for sure it is shifting into gear, then yes, most likely it is a combination of seals and clutches

[@DannyStogsdill]

My 550 backhoe transmission will work Forward and reverse only for about 45 seconds. Then I have to wait for about an hour for it to cool down and then it will work again. Any tips?

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Clutch seals are definitely blown out. Would suspect the pump has failed too

[@DannyStogsdill]

@@AtlastaFarmCo Do you have the part numbers I need available? Pump seals and clutch pack discs?

[@DannyStogsdill]

@@AtlastaFarmCo thanks. I got it torn apart now. Where do you recommend buying the parts?

[@allensandven0]

“Brake lockup I have a old 515B Payloader IH/Desser/Case that has had some hack job elec work for starters- like just about every sending unit or solenoid disconnected or bypassed so I’m going to start there....I got it from estate and the front brakes were disconnected and the transmission worked after servicing all the filters and fluids , purged all the lines and installed front lines after bleeding they worked for a few hours just light fed/rev shut down and 30min later started up and progressively started locking up ? but if anyone has experience on this topic please throw me bone Thanx Al

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

First guess would be proportioning valve(s) Second would be the calipers hung on the guide pins (or possibly broken pins letting the calipers get wedged)

[@markthompson1134]

i was given the wrong oil from jcb they give me jcb torque converter oil when it should of been sa 30 wpould that have any thing to do with it

[@julioarias260]

Nice video. How much didnyou charge for this job?

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

This was aquite a few years ago, and this machine got alot more than just what was mentioned in this clip.. back then I believe the transmission portion was 4-6k. Included torque converter etc and alot of DE-Engineering of some backyard fixes lol

[@jma8352]

is this the same setup i have on my new holland for 2120 4x4 hss? i was pulling logs and would stop and grab again under load. i started it up yesterday and will not move nohow, thanks for the video

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Not sure which 2120 tractor you have, and then which transmission it has. Little more info and maybe we could help

[@jma8352]

its a 98 ford new holland 2120 4x4 3 range4 speed hss. i ordered a clutch kit today for it

[@antonioaragon3656]

The 655a 1985, what type of oil use in the transmission?

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Will let you know soon as I find my books. A little disorganized after hurricanes rolling through

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

After some time searching I found my book. Looks like the Ford spec at the time was M2C-134-B/C. Now this spec has been superseded multiple times. Your best option is actually one of the cheapest with a basic Universal Hydraulic fluid. I am not a spokesman for the product but would recommend adding at least a quart of Marvel mystery oil to the system. It is alcohol based and is excellent at removing and controlling moisture in hydraulic systems and also does very well at cleaning and keeping seals in check. Those older oils like to grow a fungus which is a slimy mess that clogs the pickup screen and valves and Marvel does a great job at breaking that stuff loose.

[@antonioaragon3656]

Thanks for the information

[@mlone7]

I have a 545 Ford. It was working fine then all of the sudden lost both forward and reverse. In your dealings have you seen both forward and reverse clutches go bad at the same time?

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Yes. Normally it's the pump that has a problem however when you have it pulled down far enough to get to the pump you should also check the clutches and the seals in the clutch drum those seals can be broken and leaking and be the root cause of the pump failure.

[@davesaam4308]

How long will that last along with the torque converter?

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

If properly and thoroughly done , and with proper maintenance afterwards, then this should last forever.

[@BlueFlameOfLife]

i have a ford 420 backhoe i think the pump is going out, works fine for a bit then stops pumping, then i have to shut off the tractor for a min and restart to get it going again. anyways i was going to rebuild the trans/pump, do i have to take off the hoe to break the tractor in half ? i was thinking i could just raise up the front loader and break off the front half and pull it forward.

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Save some headache and remove the digger... You COULD do it like you mentioned but putting it back together would be worse than arguing with a teenager

[@BlueFlameOfLife]

@@AtlastaFarmCo ,ok thats what i was kinda thinking just was hoping not to have to take off the hoe and canopy. But it shouldn't be too bad. Thanks for the quick reply !

[@edenboyktm]

Hi great video. I have the exact same transmission. It will not engage forward. I suspected worn clutch plates. Before removing trans I removed forward / reverse valve block and checked for stuck spools or dirt- was all free and clean. I removed the trans and found all clutch plates in very good condition with no signes of heat etc, gauze in the bottom of the some clean, and all metal piston ring type shaft seal intact. Any suggestions please?

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Clutch hub seals

[@shaneashford3889]

Question. Will this also cause the rear tires to lock up. I have a 555c and I can't move the tractor at all. Rear tires are locked down. What ever has happened its got everything locked down. I can't turn the engine over, and I can't roll /pull/or push it anywhere.

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

It is possible. If you can and have a decent jack, I would jack up the rear one side at a time and see if you can turn either wheel by hand. You can also try jacking up the rear completely and turning the wheels while someone wiggles the gear shift. This may be an easy method to get it to free roll where it can be at least pulled somewhere.

[@nvsmity8294]

Hey i have a Problem with my 1164 ford county tractor and the problem is that when u put the gear into reverse it puts in gear but it wont go reverse same as the second gear which u can put but won’t go only goes 1st gear

[@zacheryshovey2175]

check ur wiring harness the goes to the transmission.my 545c had old wiring . which were Brocken and not making connection.

[@rpalaniz]

Thank you sir for your time!!

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

No problem! Did you have a problem that you were able to fix?

[@Eavis_excavations]

Hi I got a 655a 1986 had problems with reverse engaging then lost it altogether split tractor found broken spool valve ring so replaced all 3 and seals as needed got reverse but bad delay got to rev it to build up pressure then engages fine wondering if you had any ideas much appreciated

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Sounds like the pump is worn. Or the face of the valve body where the pump mounts. Also you could have bad seals in the clutch hub

[@richwilson1837]

I was wondering if you guys could help me with an issue. Have an 80’s 545 backhoe that will stop moving warm but if you select the other direction it will move again for a period of time and then repeat: stop moving that direction but go the other way for a while. It almost seems like a fluid level issue but my hydraulic tank is full. Is this a possible hydraulic restriction somewhere or should I be expecting the pump to be failing?

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

3 main things to look for.... either something is floating around in the system and eventually gets pulled into the circuit which stops the flow (then when you reverse it it pulls the restriction the other direction)... second, failing torque converter and third, failing pump and most likely damaged sealing rings on the clutch packs. first and second (in that order) sound most like the culprit with the description you gave

[@richwilson1837]

M&MS CLASSIC TRACTOR Just wanted yo reply to say I think it was a combination of issues. I believe the oil filter was restricted, but the trans had been filled with 80-90 or some other very thick gear lubricant. I changed the filter, blew out the lines, and replaced the fluid with hydraulic/trans 46 weight and the tractor hasn’t stopped on me again since. And it fixed an issue I’d had with the selector not switching between forward or reverse except at extremely low idle or sometimes having to be shut off. Now it shifts on the fly and seems to pull good so thanks for the reply and direction.

[@frankmckinnon3540]

My mid, or late eights,( can't find a s/n or year anywhere on the machine ) 555 goes forward without any issues, but reverse is the problem. It will not move, in other words, the engine RPM's do not change when it is shifted to reverse. My question is, is there a way I can tell by using a pressure-gauge, or some other way, to verify that the clutches are the problem, or if pressure is bleeding off before it get to the reverse clutch drum? thank you. frank mckinnon, hickory, n.c.

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

If your rpms won't raise then you have different issues It sounds like you have a electronic shift model. They were notorious for failures of the shifter itself. Need to check the shifter at the column and make sure connections are good

[@bobbysipes7994]

is this the only way to fix the problem?

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

Yep

[@alumicomp]

Where would the serial number be located..? I have found numbers at the point where the engine and trans mate up------2D27B----AE70D04..! Do these numbers mean anything to you..? I tried your phone number and didn't work,; do you sell or have a source for parts..!

[@AtlastaFarmCo]

does your tractor have a cab or rops?

[@alumicomp]

@@AtlastaFarmCo Now comes the fun part..! What I actually have is a SKYTRAK 6034-4 and it has as the original drive assembly a FORD 555 Loader/Tractor chassis as the base. SKYTRAK used a 555 and built their Telehandler from that starting point. It is all FORD starting at the engine through the drive train to the rear axles. This is an early 80's unit and I think I have an A or B. What I want to do is identify what I have exactly if I can and then purchase all the parts to build the shuttle clutches, before I take it apart. I am trying to contact SKYTRAK to see if I can get an exact manufacture date and then I believe the tractor should be in that same year range. I will still need FORD parts and if you can supply them or direct me to them I will gladly compensate you for being in the loop..! DAN...!

[@woodpile2702]

You didn't even show the cause of the problem? You only showed the effect of something else being wrong. What caused the clutches to burn up? What about the apply piston seals? Where was the actual fault??? You straight didn't even pull the apply pistons out of the clutch drum? Why not. Seals in that need replaced correct?

[@markthompson1134]

is this the borg warner shuttle reverser that also goes into the jcb loadall I managed to lose the oil out of it and it has not worked since