JD H 1st gear problams

When adjustments are not performed when needed, gear teeth begin to wear in a sort of a "sliding" pattern to where pressure of a load will drive them out of engagement. That's where you are now.

Whether or not the affected gear(s) can be saved remains to be told. In the meantime, you can do what we did on the farm years ago -- shape a small wooden block to fit down into the shifter quadrant, holding the shifter lever fully into position! It's not the prettiest solution, but it does keep you going when you have "hay down in the field".

See a synopsis of the John Deere "H" Restoration Guide at the JD-H site (below). You will find it very helpful in undestanding your Little Johnny. (PatB)

The Texas Shorthorn

• Restoration Site, JD H

I welded the old one with Muggy weld so it would move itself around, but since then the replacement fork has arrived, but it's going to be a while until it gets on the to do roster.

Those "H"'s tend to take in a lot of water through the shifters when let out in the elements, so if you can, look over all the bearings for pitting as well. Even if you set the end play or preload, badly pitted bearings can continue to chew themselves up. You can see the state of this transmission after many years of neglect. It will have to come apart down to the last piece.

FWIW and HTH

Frank