1938 D2 -- Hung Pinion Shaft -- Need Help!!

have you tried having someone try to disengage the pinion while your pulling the pony over? also i've started a RD4 with the pinion seemed to be stuck and when the pony finally started the pinion came loose... just a thought
.02

I havent tried to disengage the pinion and pull it at the same time, typically always by myself. I might convince the Wife to come out and help now that the weather is warming up.

I wondered about using a backhoe to raise the dozer blade off the ground and then using the backhoe to try and drag the D2 and see if that would kick the pinion shaft free.

Open to ideas.

Thanks again for any help you all can provide.

Muchbroker
Casper WY

Hey Much,

It appears that the case is broken right wear the pinion is located. The arm that engages the pinion is exposed. You should be able to access the pinion release latch with a screw driver. Here is a link to a good video to show you how a pinion works.-glen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo0m1XBqdBY&feature=channel&list=UL

Sometimes (not always) you can disengage the pinion by turning the diesel backwards. Make sure the pinion lever and clutch are in the disengaged position and compression is released on the diesel. Reach in and grab the fan and turn the engine backwards a few revolutions. Like I said, sometimes it works.

Another idea would be to drain the pinion clutch housing, refill it with diesel and then try to start the pony with the pinion clutch released. I had a D2 J that the clutch brake flat didn't work. .and that was how I'd start that critter. Took a hefty pull on the rope but it worked.

Almost forgot. .I'd take the spark plugs out and spritz a little ether in the plug holes. Sure helped getting that little pony started in cold weather.

You could always pull start it with the backhoe, it will kick right out when it starts. Or if you like just pull it far enough with the compression released to kick out. Put it in 5th and pull it a short ways.

Thank you all for the great advice, it is appreciated.
I'd heard about turning the diesel fan backwards, but when I tried it the belt just sliped.

I'll definately watch the video and hopefully can see how to jam the pinion release. I wondered about how the case looked right there but really couldnt tell if it was broken or cast that way. If that doesnt work then I think I'll try pulling it in 5th gear and hope that kicks it out.

All else fails I will try the diesel in the clutch trick, my main concern is that it pulls so dang hard that I just dont see how I can get the pony to spin fast enough to start, even with the light oil.

Again, thank you all and I will post back after the long weekend with my success (failure not an option).

Once again, thank you all for your wisdom and your time.

Muchbroker
Casper WY

From the angle of that photo, it almost looks like someone cut that piece out, rather than being broken. I'm not sure what sort of explosion would cause that piece to break out so cleanly but you never know. Maybe a previous owner cut it out for exactly the problem you're facing now, so that he could quickly disengage the pinion. You should be able to reach in there (or with a screwdriver) and release the pinion dogs. If you do use your fingers, be careful as there is a spring to pop the pinion back out towards the opening.

Cheers,
Neil.

I'll agree with Neil on that hole. .in the close up pic it looks to be partly cut and then the piece broken out. And probably for the same problem that you're having. After you get it going again, I'd sure make some sort of patch that would bolt on to cover that up and keep dirt and junk from getting in.

As far as the fan belt slipping, put pressure on the belt between the crankshaft pulley and fan belt pulley while you turn the fan.

I hope ya get 'er going again without too many problems.