Troubleshooting Skid-Steer Transmission

Route 6x6 Discussion Board: Restoration of older ATV's: Troubleshooting Skid-Steer Transmission
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Jason Northcutt (Pushpole) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

This is my first post to 6X6 board. I am a duckhunter and traded an outboard motor for a '74 Attex SuperChief 500. It ran flawlessly up until last Thanksgiving when I parked it because the transmission would not turn it to the right. I have recently begun to tear it apart and try to fix it. Little did I know what a huge addiction I was toying with! I have pulled the engine out and had the starter rebuilt. Also emptied the carb bowl. While the engine was out, I adjusted the linkage on the R side to see if that would fix the problem. (from the advice of the former owner) I put everything back together and cranked it up. I still have my steering problem. Only, now I have added a leaking carb to the list. Gas is pouring out of some little hose on the side of the carb! I am a dentist, not a mechanic. (fortunatly, my patients haven't complained yet about grease under the corner of my nails) I am very grateful for this website. I hope you can give me some advice. Thanks

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Sam Keys on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Jason:

Sounds like you need to call or send your T-20
to richard, operator of this site. He has all T-20
parts, and be is the best person to help.

I too started in this sport with little in mechnical
insight, he helped me a lot, I am sure he will help
you too.

On the carb, most likely a good cleaning and a float
adjustment will fix most Mikuni trouble.

Sam Keys

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Jason Northcutt (Pushpole) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I have paid closer attention today while trying to figure out the transmission. Seems like the left side will not go forward and the right side will not go in reverse. Of course it will not turn to the right, but when I try to pull up into my garage (slight incline) it trys to pull to the left, like the left side is not actively turning. Is it necessary to take the transmission out to fix this problem? I already have the engine out this afternoon, and am planning on pulling the chains to inspect, clean, and regrease them. Do I need to pack bearings while it is stripped down this far? My wife is pissed because I am totally addicted to this project. Thanks for the help!

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By newmax on Unrecorded Date: Edit

can anyone tell me what happens if you overfill the t-20. I ran it for about 3 hours overfull. to the fill hole. it didn't seem to have any problems just wanted to know if i did damage.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By david berger (Davidrrrd) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

well jason, let the wife drive it after it's done and you will be forgiven,
however she will claim it is her's and you will need another aatv for yourself after that!

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Jason Northcutt (Pushpole) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Now the trans is out on the table beside the engine. I checked the fluid level and it was bone dry. From what I have read on other posts, could be a leaking O ring? Anything else? What kind of damage should I look for when I crack it open? David, I could not find the post that you referred me to, after looking again. I will try to email that fellow and ask him to give me a brief primer on transmissions. Also, the tag on the trans. says "Skid Steer - Jonesboro, Ark." Is this a T-20? Thanks.
Jason

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By pete6x6 on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Jason,

Considering all the moving parts in a t20 you need to open her up and take a look at the hardware inside. Newmax is you put too much fluid in the t20 you will blow the seals in it! You should put no more than a quart of dextron fluid in it. Also to be more precise you should put enough fluid in it till it just leaks out the breather hole. There are two removable plugs one for breathing and one for filling. That amount will be slightly less than a quart. Jason if the orings were sot you would have a puddle of dextron in the bottom of your atv. But maybe it has been that way for awhile depends how hard you drive and how hot it gets.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By newmax on Unrecorded Date: Edit

pete, if i blew the seals would it be leaking? i don't see any fluid coming out

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By pete6x6 on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Newmax,

Yes if you blew the seals it would leak. Might not be alot but you would get a film of dextrom around the round edges by the bolts.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Jason Northcutt (Pushpole) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Alright, I opened it up.....now what? I don't know what I am looking for. I saw that there are bands that wrap around drums, which are driven by gears. Sound familiar? Everything that I saw so far looks to be in pretty good shape. The bands appeared to have some sort of material like a brake pad bonded to one side (the side that contacts the drum).. Well, that stuff is worn off. As for the gears, there are three that all rotate in unison as one central gear drives them. That central gear seems to have some "wobble" or play in it. I kinda' got gun-shy at this point. Have not opened the other side to look in. Any suggestions? (besides box it up and send it to Richard?) I am already considering that one, but I bet shipping on that heavy piece of lead would be incredible $$!! What else do I need to do?

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max Dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Jason, my guess is just change the bands. That gear with a little wobble is what the input shaft from the other side goes into.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Jason Northcutt (Pushpole) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Thanks Fred. Are there bands on the other side to worry about? If so, how do I get in there?

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max Dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Jason, stand it on the drive pulley. There is a little c clip around the input shaft that holds the center plate on. Pull the c clip and slip the plate off being careful not to break the gasket. If you break the gasket you will have to get a new one. The left side is symmetrically opposite the right side. There have been several posts by me and others on T-20 work (I don't remember just where or when and I don't have the time to do a search, but if you will use the keyword utility, you can find them. When you order your bands from Richard or RI, maybe you should get a repair booklet with it. That will give you a picture and good guidance. When you put it back together, block up the right hand side so the loose stuff is sitting in place and lower the left half (with the center plate down on to/on to the right half.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Jason Northcutt (Pushpole) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Well, I had the previous owner over tonight and offered him free beer for some advise. We improvised a "puller" to get the other side opened up and check out the bands. They are worn out also. I need new bands. Everything else is OK. The total amount of oil that drained out of the transmission was about 1 tablespoon. I brushed the drums with a wire wheel and knocked the rust off of them. We also cranked the motor while it was out on the bench top. Seems like the low speed jet is not working properly. It has trouble idling. Any suggestions. We got tired of cranking with the rope. Also, I need a wiring diagram. He took my labels off the wires before I could figure out which wire goes where. We were trying to hook up the starter/solonoid/battery so that we could just turn it over with the starter instead of pulling the rope. Anyone got a diagram? All help is appreciated. This has been a great project. This website has made it ten times more fun!!

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Jason Northcutt (Pushpole) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Thanks again, Fred. Very good tips. I know that a repair book will be worth its weight in gold! Am ordering my bands ASAP.


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