Yamaha Big Bear 350 - transmission will not shift at all

[DeadEye_J]

Hi guys, first post here.

I have a Big Bear 350 that I purchased for yard work. First job was to drag a small harrow around with to level my back yard. I bought it used, worked fine on the test ride around the neighborhood. I've never licensed it or taken it on any trail rides. I've literally put less than two miles on it. Almost all the work was done in 1st or 2nd gear in low range.

As I was dragging the harrow, it began getting progressively harder to shift, even with the motor off. It's like something was out of alignment internally and binding up. Now I can't get it to shift at all. The shifter feels like it won't move through the full range to complete a shift, like something is blocking it.

I already know I got screwed on the deal. What do you think it's going to take to fix? Common issue?

Thanks

[frostydeisel]

i had a similar issue and i thought the motor needed split to check the gears. DONT do that, at least not yet because its really hard to crack the case and a lot of work. I put her back together and somewhere i read or someone told me to check the linkage. i did and it was a bent rod that went between the shift pedal and the shift peg sticking out of the engine. I replaced it and problem solved. So start there first. 

[DeadEye_J]

Thanks for the suggestion. However, there is no shift linkage on mine. The shifter is mounted directly to the shift shaft, like you'd see on a dirt bike.

[Andrew Engebretson]

When it does shift does it bang into the gear or is it smooth?  Does it matter if you are accelerating or decelerating?   

[DeadEye_J]

This was like over a year ago, so I'll do my best to remember (it's been broken and parked). Now it basically won't shift at all.

I believe it didn't really matter if it was idling/accelerating/decelerating. The shifter would be jamming/blocked mid-stroke. After trying usually multiple times to get it to shift it would finally go its full travel and shift somewhat normally.

It started acting up while dragging a light harrow around our back lot to level the ground and prep for grass seed. I was probably being hard on it, high range 1st and 2nd gear.

Edited November 17, 2021 by DeadEye_J