Brake and shift levers?

[Ivan Rush]

I am a new owner of a Hustler (980 I think with a T-20 trans)- have been told it is 82 and have what will seem like a dumb question for most but I can't seem to find an answer on this web sight, which is a excellent and helpful web sight. My 6x6 has two brake and/or shift levers located under left side of front seat. The left one is connected to left side of the T-20 trans while the right to the right side. My basic question is what are each lever for and how do I operate them? I read in the manual about one lever where straight up is back, center is neutral and down is forward. I also read about one brake lever but I am unable to see which lever is which as they enter the transmission. Photo's are attached to help show my delimina brake shift lever.jpgTrans.jpg Thanks so much for your help

[thebuggyman1]

The t-20 is actually 2 transmissions in one case. This allows you to control each side indepenently of the other. Your machine is set up with split shift.....watch this video. http://www.6x6world.com/forums/conte...t-shifter.html
I'm a little confused about what you are asking with the brake lever(s), but to shift F N R with a t-20 it takes a little getting used to. You can rock the machine while operating the lever(s) or pull on the lateral sticks (possibly called brake levers) while operating the shift lever(s). Try not to make it grind....ramming/jamming/ forcing is bad for the trans.

[Dan67]

The t-20 is actually 2 transmissions in one case. This allows you to control each side indepenently of the other. Your machine is set up with split shift.....watch this video. http://www.6x6world.com/forums/conte...t-shifter.html
I'm a little confused about what you are asking with the brake lever(s), but to shift F N R with a t-20 it takes a little getting used to. You can rock the machine while operating the lever(s) or pull on the lateral sticks (possibly called brake levers) while operating the shift lever(s). Try not to make it grind....ramming/jamming/ forcing is bad for the trans.

Buggyman is correct. Your machine has been modified. Someone used 2 parking brake levers to act as the F-N-R gear shifters on the left side of the drivers seat. One for the left side diamond shifter on the T-20 and the other one for the right side diamond shifter. Your laterals in the middle of the drivers seat are used to power or brake the right and left sides.

As for operating the F-N-R levers, it will just take some time to get used to them. Just don't force them in. Jiggle the laterals sometimes helps to move the internal gears so they have an easier time lining up when you shift into gear. Just make sure the diamonds are fully engaged before driving. The more you do it the easier it will get.

[Ivan Rush]

Thanks very much for your help. As you can see I was confused and need all the help I can get.

[Ivan Rush]

Thanks very much for your assistance. The reason you were a little confused with my question is partly because the person I purchased it from said one of the levers was a gear shift and the other was a break. As they looked like parking break levers I believed him so I was confused and poorly informed. Thanks again for helping me out.

[thebuggyman1]

If you post up your location Ivan, another local member may volunteer to help out.
It's always good to have more people to ride with too.

[Ivan Rush]

Would be glad to. I live in western NE or at Scottsbluff which is about 200 miles north - norteast of Denver. I bought this old machine in CO and was told several things that turned out to not be true plus was not told some things. I guess buyer beaware applies here. I have not got the engine to run as the pulse gas pump was disconnected so don't know if it works or of engine or transmission condition. I know I will need a throttle and choke cable and ignition switch as they are broke. I would like to test run the engine to see if I want to put any more money into it. I will need a drive belt soon plus I have no idea on bearing condition. I see there is a person in Denver that is restoring a Hustler (I think) and may try to get in touch with him. I am retired with average mechanical ability with my hands so plan to do as much of the restroation that I can myself. Will need help of fine tuning engine, if it will run. We have a small cabin on a small lake and hope to use the 6x6 to travel to and from cabin and boat dock plus have dreams of going out about 1/4 to 1/2 mile for fishing in calm weather. Again I certainly appreciate your help

[Ivan Rush]

Thanks so much for your previous help. I finally got the engine running today and the clutch seems to work fine however I could not get the machine to go in reverse. I could get it to go forward however when I shifted in reverse it would still only go forward. It appeared the diamonds on top of the T20 transmission were moving completely where it should engage the reverse. It would go in neutral. Any advise what I am doing wrong or what I can do to get it to go in reverse? Thanks for your help.

[highrollinmopars]

I know you say that the diamonds are moving completely but being that someone has modified your buggy with the "split shifter" it sounds like the shifter is not pushing the diamond back far enough to make it go in reverse. Is there any adjustment built into the linkage? You may try adjusting the linkage so the diamond can go back farther. You may also try to disconnect the linkage and manually move flip the diamond shifter around with a pair of pliers. Im not a expert on the t-20 trans but it seems like if it goes in forward and doesnt grind gears or have any other problems then it should work fine in reverse also. Its just a matter of getting it into reverse. I hope this was of some help. Good luck

[micmac]

If the diamond shifter is moving but it's not changing from forward to reverse then the most likely culprit is the shift pin is broken on the bottom of the diamond shifter barrel. Pretty easy fix and not too expensive. Plenty of threads about it on the site. But basically pull the diamond shifter out of the case and inspect the bottom pin. Some people just replace the pin itself and some just buy a new Diamond shifter from Recreatives Industries maker of the Max.

[Ivan Rush]

Thanks for your help. When I pulled the diamond shifter and looked down in the hole I found the outer ring on the shift shaft has a piece broke off on one side of the transmission. The other side seems to be ok but I see the hold down clips are missining so I may have had a linkange problem or it was moving up a little. Both sides shifted easily with a screwdriver. Sop I guess I will tear down and replace shift shaft or put a for sale sign on or put in tree row. Again, thanks for your help.

[hydromike]

When I pulled the diamond shifter and looked down in the hole I found the outer ring on the shift shaft has a piece broke off on one side of the transmission.

Sorta like this, huh?



Don't send her off to the tree row. It's really not THAT hard to fix. Why not post a wanted ad for a shift collar, and see if someone can get you one? It's a little daunting taking the transmission apart and putting it back together, but there are step-by-step guides here on the site to help you out. You ought to be able to get her back going (at least the transmission fixed) for less than $100, tops.

It's really quite easy. We'll help.