Stuck In Gear?

[mjmccaffrey]

Hey Folks,

My '48 Type 45 pumper seems to be stuck in gear and I can't get it rolling to it's next restoration stop. Trying to pull it with my tractor and can only get the drive shaft to the rear wheels to turn about an 1/8 to a 1/4. What gives? Shift is in N and emergency break is off...what am I missing or, better yet, how bad is this situation that I can't get the wheels to roll. It's had been outside for quite some time before I accquired it... could there be rust deposits on the wheels or breaks holding it up? HELP!

[David]

Check to see if the shoes are rusted to the drums first. If the wheels are free and the wheels are turning the drive shaft, then the problem is the trans. Remove the shift lever and see if all the rods are in the neutral position.

[fifth wheel]

Check the pump drive, I have seen the back of gear boxes broke off trying to drag with something locked up.

Goin to eat good today,

FW

[fxfymn]

From looking at the picture of your rig on your post it appears the pump shift is located at the pump panel. Try placing the pump shift lever in the neutral position and see if that frees it up. If so the problem is in the transfer case or the transmission. If the lever is frozen look under the pump panel and you will see the linkage to the transfer case which you can (gently) try to move with a lever or other prying tool.

[joydsilva6987]

First and foremost thing check whether driving shaft is rusted or not, check gear box whether every thing is OK in it and then the pump drive.

please check all the parts are proper and not rusted, do the proper oiling of the parts.

[oldmacktrucks]

If all else fails as long as the brakes are released disconnect the driveshaft or pull the axles if you need to move it. Sounds like it might be the shift forks, although the stick is in neutral it may still be in gear. I'm no expert in fire rigs but I've had my fair share of worn out shift towers jamming the tranny in gear and renedering the stick useless.

[fxfymn]

Engine 2,

Did you get it to move? Keep us posted on what you have tried.

[mjmccaffrey]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for ALL of the great advise. I lubricated the crap out of every moving part and really worked on the pump linkage. PB Buster is the nuts! Truck rolled like a champ. Now preparing to remove the water tank, hose bed and cab to get the truck down the the rails. Thinking of leaving the pump on the rails when it's blasted. Any thoughts out there as to how I should be thinking of going about cleaning and painting the chassis?

Thanks again - please stay at the ready for many more inquiries!

Engine 2

[609albert]

many restoreors use a chrome etich primer and finish with ureathane and a clear coat , red is my favorate for the frame, easier to keep clean too.

[609albert]

many restoreors use a chrome etich primer and finish with ureathane and a clear coat , red is my favorate for the frame, easier to keep clean too.

[fxfymn]

I'd start a separate post about painting/cleaning the chassis. There is a poster on the general forums here named "Rob" who apparently has a lot of body and paint experience. You may try PMing him for advice as well.

One thing I do know about painting is that it will cost you a lot more than you expect if you use good quality paint. One member of our club spent $500.00 per gallon for the paint he used on his American LaFrance frame and he used 3 gallons on it!