Tractor Repair: Case 1070 Power Shift problem, case ih dealer, shift problem

Question
I am an inexperienced mechanic, but my father will be reading this with me.  He has 30 years of expeince as an implement mechanic (Massey).

I recently purchased a 1070 Diesel(5900 hrs).  It seemed to work OK during spring field cultivating and planting.  However, every now and then when shifting the power shift from 1st to 2nd, it would seem to miss, as if it was shifted into neutral.  It would usually grab a second or two later raising the front end of the tractor up.  Second to third always seems to work OK.  The transmission does not seem to slip in any gear or range.  During haying this summer, the misses have gotten more frequent. Also, once or twice, while planting 60 acres, I pressed the clutch in and the transmission (clutch) did not seem to disengage.  It only did it twice and has not done it since. Does this symptom sound familiar?  Any ideas what may be the issue, how I narrow it down and how expensive will it be to fix?  Where can I get parts?

Answer
Hello,

  It could possibly be pilot spools sticking inside the powershift control valve.  There could also be some internal powershift problem like a bad clutch piston, but that would be a guess without knowing the history of this machine. The only way to accurately diagnose is by installing pressure gauges on all 4 powershift clutches, and seeing what the pressures are while the problem is occuring.  It would be impossible for me to guess how much the repair would cost.  Parts are available from any Case IH dealer and there may also be some aftermarket parts available.