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John Deere Tractors Discussion Forum
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Synchro-Range 8-speed tranny - How to operate?

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Franky S.

01-19-2006 16:07:52




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Hi, I’m Frank from Germany, and I wonder how to operate that 8-speed Synchro-Range gearbox, as you can find it on the models 4020, 5020 or 6030. That thing with one shifting lever for all gears placed on the right side of the dashboard. I only know these tractors from magazines and pictures and shifting through that gearbox seems to be kind of unorthodox. I read that you only can shift between the gears in each station, that means you can only shift 1-3-R, 2-5-R, 4-7 and 6-8 when the tractor is moving, but if you want to shift from one station into another, the tractor has to stand on the spot. I think that is not that simple to operate, if not to say it sounds impractical. For example, if the tractor has to pull very hard so that you will have to start in gear 1 or 2, you will have very limited maximum speed (max. gear 3 or 5). Otherwise, if you want to haul something at maximum speed, will you have to start in gear 6? If so I think it won’t last long until you have big problems with the clutch!?

It would be very interesting to hear how that tranny is used in practice. For any answer I’d like to say thanks in advance.

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timbo

01-20-2006 07:30:59




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 Re: Synchro-Range 8-speed tranny - How to operate? in reply to Franky S., 01-19-2006 16:07:52  
I have a 2510,3010,4020 all with syncro-range, great transmissions. Don't have problems at all. To clarify, those transmissions are NOT sychronized between each range, just within each range. Most people don't, but you are supposed to stop the tractor before shifting through each range. However with a little practice, you can shift from range to range fairly well when you "double clutch" between ranges. The operators manual tells you to come to a stop between ranges to prevent gear clash.
P.s This will make some of you upset, but I've operated most major brands of tractors, and JOHN DEERE is CLEARLY the BEST!!!!!

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Jim Poletti

01-22-2007 07:02:08




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 Re: Synchro-Range 8-speed tranny - How to operate? in reply to timbo, 01-20-2006 07:30:59  
I just got a 2010 gas and am new to the syncro range. The diagram is wore off cowl, i have no book. How does one shift it? where's neutral? does it lock in park?
Thanks, jim



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CMB

01-20-2006 08:36:06




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 Re: Synchro-Range 8-speed tranny - How to operate? in reply to timbo, 01-20-2006 07:30:59  
I'll second that--John Deere Syncro-Range trannys were vastly superior to any of the competion at the time. I've operated '06 & '66 series IH tractors with thier "Grind grind, Clash clash transmissions enough to know that the JD transmission is MUCH better! You can shift between ranges "on the go", but you have to sort of "feel" them thru the changes. I have a '61 4010D with over 11000hrs. I bought this tractor with 3500hrs,& have shifted between ranges "on the go" as long as I've had it,& it still works perfectly! Neither I , or anyone else has seen the inside of the tranny since it left the factory in April of '61!

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farmerboy

01-19-2006 18:47:50




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 Re: Synchro-Range 8-speed tranny - How to operate? in reply to Franky S., 01-19-2006 16:07:52  
Moins franky,

I grew up on a 4020 sychro. While not near as nice as a 15 speed powershift, they are a very handy unit. The tractor will go from a stop in sixth gear on the road with a reasonable load. From there, you can shift on the go into 8th. Around the farm, shifting between 4th and seventh would get you just about anywhere pulling loads. third gear worked good for a reel and sickle mower condtioner. We didn't do any heavy tillage operations with our 4020. That was left up to a Quad range 4430, later a 1086 MFWD and a 8spd powershift 4640.

I spent three months working on a dairy farm in Emmelsbull, Schleswig Holstien, Duetschland in 1999. Wonderful country. Those Massey 1114s have a very interesting transmission as well. My host family had the only 2wd tractor I ever saw in Germany. It was a Massey but the number escapes me at the moment.

Tschuss.

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Sam in MI

01-19-2006 18:20:30




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 Re: Synchro-Range 8-speed tranny - How to operate? in reply to Franky S., 01-19-2006 16:07:52  
The owner's manual for my 4010 does say to move the shift lever from park to the neutral of the desired shift quadrant with the tractor stopped. Then put it in the desired gear and let the clutch out. Then you can shift between gears in that quadrant while in motion. I have shifted between quadrants while slowly rolling, but I usually do stop to do it.

Sam



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Sam in MI

01-19-2006 18:16:21




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 Re: Synchro-Range 8-speed tranny - How to operate? in reply to Franky S., 01-19-2006 16:07:52  
The owner's manual for my 4010 does say to move the shift lever from park to the neutral of the desired shift quadrant with the tractor stopped. Then put it in the desired gear and let the clutch out. Then you can shift between gears in that quadrant while in motion. I have shifted between quadrants while slowly rolling, but I usually do stop to do it.

Sam



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G/MAN

01-19-2006 16:21:15




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 Re: Synchro-Range 8-speed tranny - How to operate? in reply to Franky S., 01-19-2006 16:07:52  
It's a synchronized transmission, meaning that you can usually shift between "ranges" with ease, just the same as shifting speeds. Not impractical at all, and as a matter of fact, being it was introduced for the 1960 model year, it was one of the simplest and at the same time most advanced trannies made, and also one of the toughest. I don't think anyone else was putting 8 speeds on a single lever, certainly not with synchronizers involved. The trans and clutch will last as long as the operator wants them to.

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Franky S.

01-19-2006 17:04:55




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 Re: Synchro-Range 8-speed tranny - How to operate? in reply to G/MAN, 01-19-2006 16:21:15  
Oh, now that sounds much better. It's only that the British magazine "Classic Tractor" wrote in several issues (for example issues 10 and 48) that the tractor has to be stationary when shifting through ranges. Mainly that was the reason for my question, 'cause that really sounds a little strange.



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Glen in TX

01-19-2006 21:49:49




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 Re: Synchro-Range 8-speed tranny - How to operate? in reply to Franky S., 01-19-2006 17:04:55  
They were very fine transmissions. We had them on a 5010, 2510, 4020, 4320, & 6030 and only had problems once with the 2510. But geeze it probably had 40,000 hours if not more on it? One thing is on the early 10 series with the 3rd reverse is to just NOT use that gear or disable it. Using the 3rd reverse on a 5010 was never practical anyway and ruined more clutches if anything from people riding the clutch while in that 3rd reverse. It was just too fast and the 1st and 2nd reverse are plenty fast enough. 3rd and 4th were main gears used when doing field tillage. Maybe 5th for light work or cultivating. 1st 2nd or 3rd for silage chopping or heavy loads. 5th 6th or 7th for rotary hoe, cultivating or dragging a field. 8th road gear for faster transport only. 7th for more careful road speeds with a heavy load. They started out well in 4-7 shift and 6-8 shift for roading. If you are close to Chris over there you should go drive or see his 6030 he put the 619 in.

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