steam tractor coming out of gear

[jerry7007]

hi all, i have a wilesco d40 steam tractor. when i run the tractor, the gear that rides on the axel (connected to a metal handel),that makes it go into neutral and normal, keeps coming out when the tractor starts running, so in order to keep the wheels moving i have to hold it in place. is there a way to bend it so it wont slip off?

[Allen]

serious suggestion, put a little bit of some silicon sealant or even contact cement (Welder or E-6000 type stuff) in the interface between the two parts of the shift lever to make it stiffer. Alternate suggestion, pop the axle cap off, remove the wheel and squish the rivet a bit with channel locks or vice grips. Tertiary suggestion, order a new shift lever, drill out the two pop rivets and replace.

Option 1 takes 30 seconds, option 2 about 2 minutes, option 3 takes about 10 or so and costs about $20..... take your pick