Today my TC started slipping about 200RPM off and on at highway speed. It has about 140k miles on it so I figure it needs replacement, the problem is that we're moving Friday, all my tools are packed up and I need to tow my tractor (about 7,000 pounds including the trailer) about 300 miles for the move.

I know that it's not the best thing to do to it but, can I make the move and deal with the TC once we're there and I can unpack or am I screwed?

 

its hard to say, my TC was rattling like a babies rattle but it did ok, I would say you should be ok as long as you take it easy, but just keep your needed tools with you and be prepaired for it to give out, if it were me I would address it now before the move, if your TC pukes you could be risking your transmission...

 

Mine has been doing the same thing for about 10,000 miles or so. Just watch your tranny temps. That slippage will create heat.

 

Really really watch your transmission temps. Towing that far with a slipping TC can heat up right-quick. I made it just a few miles up a grade and cooked the holy hell out of my transmission. This was before I had gauges.

 

Thanks, guys. I had an empty trailer on it when it was doing this yesterday, trans temp never got over 180. It hasn't done it since and my OD light isn't flashing anymore so maybe, I doubt it but, maybe it was just a passing electrical issue. I've got to make a 200 mile round trip today without the trailer so we'll see what happens.

 

well just be careful and be prepared in the event it does give out and post back to us with any updates please!

 

No problems at all on today's trip, maybe it was just a computer glitch. Of course, I wasn't towing anything today. We'll see what happens tomorrow, I've got my fingers crossed.

 

I don't know if there's any relation but I have had a similar problem and I think I figured it out. Whatever/wherever the detente is that keeps my shifter in position seems like it is plugged with grease or something, I have to work the shifter when I put it into a gear and let it settle into place. Mine was either unlocking my TC at highway speeds or downshifting to third gear, I never figured out which it was. I never got my AE hooked up and figured it out. What I did figure out is that when I put it into drive and work the shifter and let the detente settle into place the problem does not present itself.

 

Just thought I'd give a quick update, the problem hasn't happened once since that first time. I've got a little over 1,000 miles on the truck since it did it, about 1/2 of it towing, and it's been solid. I have no idea what happened.

 

Maybe the filter got restricted with junk. The junk dropped off and now it is ok. I would drop the pan and check for slug and hope there are no big shiny bits

 

That would probably be the smart, proactive thing to do. I'm kind of lazy though so I'll probably just let it roll unless it has problems again.

I've already got my tractor hydraulic system in pieces waiting on parts to put it back together so it's not like I need another project that puts me laying in the dirt.

 

The only way the filter could get restricted is if the trans totally failed. Otherwise there isn't enough junk in the trans to restrict it. This is almost impossible.

 

Happen to a friends truck, the truck would barely move. He had it towed thinking he needed a new tranny. He dropped the pan and changed the filter and all the fluid. Drained the TC also. The truck has been running like a champ, pulling tractors all day long. He does have a Suncoast transmission, so it runs very cool. The truck is used in very, very dusty conditions, don't know if that is a factor.