Td8e part #3... a genuine, but minor trans problem.

[PacerX]

So, when dead cold the trans will struggle to find 3rd gear forward.

I'm still nailing down symptoms, but here's what I've noticed:

1. It finds 1st and 2nd, in either direction, just fine.

2. Engine revs, dozer stops when it misses it.

3. I tested it once for 3rd in reverse, but worked fine.  That's only 1 data point, I need to try it again to confirm.

4. The converter temp is very low when it happens.  My converter seems to generally warm up slowly.

5. Once it catches, it'll seamlessly do it from then on out.

6. More throttle seems to help it... I think... maybe.

7.  Clutch pressure gauge is perfect.  Dead in the middle of the range, never nose dives out of the green.

 

Fluids and filters were just changed.  Old fluid didn't look especially burnt.  Filters looked good.

[PacerX]

Ok, it's when it's cold.

After warming up, it'll function properly.

[PacerX]

Need some help here guys!!!

Problem is still here when cold.  Thing runs like a top after it warms up.

Northern Michigan cold.

 

Im using a generic trans/hydraulic fluid.  It says it meets Hy-Tran spec...

I bought some different stuff that meets the Hytran spec for sure.

Is there a better fluid to use for cold (below freezing) weather?

[Dirt_Floor_Poor]

How cold is “cold”? And exactly how long does it take to “warm up”? If it’s really cold and it functions fine after it warms up a little bit, I’m not convinced there is an actual problem. In general, it is not a good idea to be running a powershift in the highest gear without warming it up. All modern tractors prevent engaging the higher gears until it is sufficiently warmed up. 

[PacerX]

Cold is freezing.  Sometimes around 40F, usually 32 or colder.

Today, at 55ish, it started sluggish and then much more quickly sorted itself out and did what it always does: ran for 6 hours pushing dirt and carving stumps out without a hiccup.

I imagine that the Hytran knock off I used at first might be the problem... but what is a correct modern fluid for this machine in cold temps?

[mmi]

you have to check filters blockages,air leaks etc.

normal to be a bit sluggish  but you may be onto incorrect oil ,trapping water, other water intrusion...? and or ice that melts back?

run hot place in heated shop ,wait 1 hr drain oil/s place outside -30* or batchs in YOUR freezer

[Dirt_Floor_Poor]

If you used something that claimed to meet Hy-Tran specs I seriously doubt that it is causing any problems. Hy-Tran should be good for temperatures well below feeezing. It would not be necessary to be looking for an alternative in that temp range. Hy-Tran is used in my area in -15 to 105 Fahrenheit ambient temperature. If there is a problem, it is going to take pressure gauges to see what the trans is doing when it is acting up. Does this machine have a suction strainer that could be partially obstructed? 

[PacerX]

After starting with the the same symptoms this afternoon at about 45 degrees F, it worked like a horse for 3 hours of so.

 

I brought it into the barn and there are 2 pretty significant leaks.

One has to be engine oil, likely at the valve cover.

The other is coming from the trans.  I replaced the suction strainer when I did the first maintenance after buying it, so I will start my inspection there.  I hope this is related to that leak.

[PacerX]

Ok, lost reverse this weekend.  Works and moves fine in FWD 1 and 2, haven't tried 3.

Bought a bunch of diagnostic stuff and am working through testing the transmission pressures.

Here's what I have so far:

 

Main pressure (150-175psi nominal)

N 180

1F 160

2F 165

3F 160

1R 160

 

Converter inlet (40-80psi nominal)

N 75

1F 70

2F 75

3F 70

1R 75

 

Lubricating Pressure (10-25psi nominal)

N 25

1F 10

2F 10

3F 5

1R 10

 

On the range selector valve, I've checked the forward and reverse supply circuits.

Both read 150 psi and 10 psi and alternate when shifted.

 

The lubricating pressure is the only glaring problem there... and tracing the lines, that comes off the suction filter.

I could remove and reseal the suction filter, but I'd have to drain the trand to do it.

 

 

Next, I'll test the pilot control valve inputs to the range selector, but I need  bunch of T fittings to do it.

 

If there's a TD7/8 power shift trans expert out there, I'd sure appreciate some guidance.

 

EDIT: Looking at the circuit, it is losing 15psi or more between the main pressure and the range selector forward and reverse supply circuits.  There are a bunch of lines and the pilot valve in-between those two.

 

[Dirt_Floor_Poor]

The loss of lube pressure indicates a leak in the circuit. 

[PacerX]

3 hours ago, Dirt_Floor_Poor said:

The loss of lube pressure indicates a leak in the circuit. 

Ok.

That's progress.

I'll post up a picture of the circuit diagram tonight.  If you can steer me in the right direction as to where to look, Id sure appreciate it!!!

 

What do you think about the pressure loss from 160 to 150 at the fwd/rev supply circuits?

[PacerX]

Transmission circuit diagram.

[PacerX]

Ok, tested pressures for the fwd/rev singal from the pilot control valve to the range selector. 150 psi for both.

I replaced what looks to be the forward/reverse line going from the pilot control valve to the range selector.  It was very cracked and looked to have a small (very small) leak.

No change in symptoms.

All 3 forward gears work great.  Will just tickle the tracks in reverse, but will not move.

I think this leaves me with a bad range selector or a bad transmission... OR whatever line is taking the signal from the range selector to the trans has a problem.

For the life of me, I have no idea where that line is physically on the machine! Does anyone know?

[Dirt_Floor_Poor]

Unless you have a 100% understanding of how this transmission works, I think you are going to need some outside help that this forum cannot provide. That would be a huge problem here because there is no Dressta dealer close at all. I’m not sure if the Komatsu dealer here would still help on this or not, they probably would. I don’t know where you are located. Are you near a Dressta dealer or a well established Komatsu dealer that may have worked on these in the past? That is my only suggestion. If you’re not used to dealing with machinery, the price for them to come look at it will be jaw dropping. Someone physically there with any experience could probably isolate the cause, internal or external. 

[PacerX]

Starting to look grim...

Russell, from Brown's International has been helping me with some troubleshooting, and it's looking like the reverse clutch pack isn't engaging, possibly due to a transmission leak or other internal problem.

 

That means finding a rebuild kit for it.

I talked to Midwest Power Products and they are calling Poland to try to find one.

Anybody know a source?

[hector gemme]

I have some TD8 transmission parts if can help

[PacerX]

15 minutes ago, hector gemme said:

I have some TD8 transmission parts if can help

That's great Hector!  Is there a sealing kit available?

[hector gemme]

HI  I am  not a company am old men on my pension and have a transmission ben rebuilt but I sold the tansmission casing and am still have 75% parts if I can help.

                                                HECTOR

[Dirt_Floor_Poor]

I seriously doubt you will find any kit. Take it apart, find the damage, then try to source the parts. A parts catalog will be a necessity. I would expect quite a bit of frustration in sourcing the parts and getting this back going. I think it will be doable, but not like walking into the Payline dealer and just grabbing what you need. The only reason to own an IH crawler is because you want an IH. Everything in dealing with them is harder, especially when broken down. 

[ray54]

Hector has been around a long time on Red, Yellow, and Orange crawler sites. I have seen people thank him for parts and don't remember any rants about his parts. I think half way or more retired now. But French is native language and in Canada.

[Rawleigh99]

I have bought from Hector before and can wholeheartedly recommend him. As said, French is his native language.  His English is a whole lot better than my French.  He will take care of you and has good advice.

[PacerX]

On 6/18/2025 at 9:22 PM, hector gemme said:

HI  I am  not a company am old men on my pension and have a transmission ben rebuilt but I sold the tansmission casing and am still have 75% parts if I can help.

                                                HECTOR

We will be in touch Hector!!  Thank you!!!

 

I'm in the middle of babysitting a new hay field and building a house and rebuilding the engine on my Cub.

 

Once I clear the books a bit Ill get in touch.

[hardtail]

So maybe not a great time to be having a powershift transmission laying all apart, might not get back to it tomorrow? Is the dozer part of the new build?

[PacerX]

On 6/25/2025 at 2:41 PM, hardtail said:

So maybe not a great time to be having a powershift transmission laying all apart, might not get back to it tomorrow? Is the dozer part of the new build?

The dozer put in yeoman work turning 8 acres of uneven red pine plantation stumps into a hay field before the snow even melted.

Thankfully, it didn't poop out until the field was finished, and won't be required for the house.

What it is needed for is:

1. Clearing 2-3 more acres of red pines (standing this time) into pasture and a barn site.

2. Being the primary means of leveling and clearing brush to fence 40 acres.

3. Being the neighborhood Doomsday recovery machine for stuck plow trucks and tractors and to be the final line of defense against getting snowed in.

 

So... if it's running by, say... November, life is good!