New member,,,,,need info on my Farmall 140

Hi everyone...needing info on my 140....hopeing someone has info on this problem.....My transmission is SOMETIMES locking up...everything.....this happens when going from 1st gear to reverse....i mean i locks tight! i THINK and i dont know,,,not a know it all here but smart enough to ask folk who do know...lol...I THINK that 1st and rev are the same gear?...Just depends on which side of the gear is selected to be used ,,,before going any further...am i right in thinking they are the same or is there another gear the shift fork moves to 1 or the other gear? Has anyone ever ran into this or know of someone else having the same problem? thank you....any info would be appreciated

There is a possibility that it is getting into 2 gears at once. If you put it in neutral, does it move? then lock up when in
gear? The top is pretty easy to remove, (not a treat). but looking in will be definitive. The shift rails should all be
lined up under the shifter lever. Pulling it out will let you look down there. If not lined up, use a big screw driver to do
that. The tip of the shifter may be worn. Jim
layout.

I havent taken the cover off to look...yet....i do believe that yes somehow 2 are getting together,,,,,have never been into a tractor gearbox but have many other machines,,,,cars,motorcycles and so on...just brainstormin i my mind but from my exp you have the outter drive teeth and manytimes inner dogs i will call them that engage on whatever and because of the angle machining pressure pulls the gears together.....why i was wondering if the 1st and rev were in fact the same gear,,,it engages one way for first and opposite for rev.....and.....if i do need to replaced a gear or whatever,,,,,,do I have to split the tractor or can i remove the aft cover and possibly slide gearshafts aft enough to removed the gears?...Just hopeing to find 140 info because i would bet there are no old timer mechs in my area anymore who have been into and know a 140 xnsmission....all have past on. Tryin to minimize what might not be a major major job. Its kinda makes ya sick when you tear somethin all to pieces only to find afterward heck i didnt need to do all that. again thanx for the responce and again any info is appreciated.

And J i am useing the tractor still...it runs out fine its just that on occasion this happens.......seems to be getting worse possibly.........just tryin to be pro-active

It's almost certain to be getting into 2 gears at once.

Strange thing is how are you getting it back to neutral? Usually the top has to come off or some access to get the rails aligned again.

I would gather the necessary tools to remove the cover, have them with you and ready to open it up next time it locks up. Don't try to get it unlocked until you open it and see what has happened.

Usually when they start doing that it's because the end of the shifter is worn or the pivot pin or socket is worn and letting the shifter ride up out of the groove in the rails.

But if the shifter ball is still in place, look for another problem involving gear movement.

140, should be off to the side and I think back for R, because as far as I recall, it's a straight 4 speeds forward and opposite 1st is 2nd. At least ours is, as have all the other A's I've operated.

With that critical bit of information, I would say one of the rail detent ball/spring combinations is broken (rusted to dust
is likely) Pulling the top is the answer, and might need go no further! Jim

Thanx to all u guys for your suggestions,,,,i agree i need to pull the cover whenever this happens to see whats locked but,,,,,it seems when it does happen the rain is starting,the snow starts falling, or i am 10 miles from home and the tools i need ,,,,,,not sure my little tool box under seat would carry all i would need lol. This never happens when in a str8 line pull seems to always happen under a load "backing a loaded trailer or up a hill" turning and with the inside tire turning slower than the ouside tire.Maybe that co-incidence,,,,,maybe because of fork wear i dont get the selected gear slid completely where it needs to be. Im just hoping that if there is a rail issue or springs and ball i do not have to split the tractor to allow access or movement of the internals to repair or replace.... Gonna go ahead and pull the cover and see what i can,...Also,,,,,fellas are parts still available? I didnt say before and maybe should have,,,,mine is a 1971,,,brother and i used to raised tobacco and its just a fine cultivator i tell ya,,,but you guys know that 49 years old so i guess its allowed to shoow some wear.....i have never has a bit a trouble with it other than the normal routine meaintemence,,,,,good workhorse..i will keep you guys posted but again,,,parts?

As others have said, probably 2 gears at once. To make it work be careful shifting, move to neutral, then across in very clear and distinct movements. Don't try and move
the shift lever sort of at an angle or diagonal. Distinct movements forward/back or across right/left. Make sure you feel/know you are in neutral before moving the lever
sideways. Probably parts are worn and you have to compensate by keeping the bottom end of the shift lever from getting out of position. Basically follow the shift pattern
closely with distinct front and back and side to side movements.

Springs and balls for the detents are in the top cover. Taking it off is perfect access to them. Balls are common ball bearing size hard steel, and
probably ok even if a little pitted. If out of basic shape replace them. springs can be hardware found, both are probably available on Ebay or the
dealer. Other parts, including gears, can be found. Bates equipment in Bourbon Indiana is a reasonable source for parts, as well as this site for
normal wear items. Jim

Still have not said how you get it going.

From what you are saying I am not sure it is the transmission that is the problem.