JDcrawlers Messageboard

The clutch-brake pedal shafts were frozen on my 420 when I got it. I was able to free them up by attaching hand levers made of 2 foot long pipes to the clutch and brake pedal. That gives you a lot of leverage to work them against each other. Used lots of Kroil giving it time to work between working ...

In aviation circles the 100 octane gas you refer to is called 100LL (LL = "Low Lead") because it has less lead than the old formulation for 100 octane. But you should be aware that "Low Lead" is a relative term since it is my understanding that 100LL avgas has about 4 times as much lead in it as the...

The 420 Operator's Manual says the shipping weight of the 4-roll crawler is 4,150 lbs and the 5-roll is 4,700 lbs.

Ben, I'm not familiar with the carb on the 440 but assuming it is similar to the 420 carb it may be that the venturi is installed upside down. My 420 ran exactly as you described for your 440 after I rebuilt the carb. Drove me crazy before I discovered my blunder and that's not even the most embaras...

The "lever, brake" (key # 11 page 95-2 of the parts manual) rotates freely on its shaft on the right side but is rusted solid to the shaft on the left side. Am I correct in assuming that it is supposed to rotate freely and if so what suggestions do you have for freeing it up? There are two Woodruff ...

Willyr, On my 57 420C the tube rises as goes forward passing 1 3/8" over the top of the oil filter nut and 1 1/8" over the top of the distributor cap tower for the #1 spark plug continuing to rise until it's above the fore-and-aft center of the generator and then arcs down to a vertical drop just in...

Thanks for the suggestion. I can get independent movement of the brake and clutch shafts. I've cycled them through their full range of movement at least a hundred times but the drag has not lessened. The parts manual shows the brake pedal held on the shaft by a "groove" pin. Any advice on driving th...

I lucked out. When I removed the cover everything was a mass of rust but with some judicious tapping with a 3 lb hammer while putting moderate back pressure on the lever it freed up. Pulling the lever all the way back does work the external brake rod. If I understand it, that seems to be the way it'...

Thanks for the descriptions. I won't be able to work on the tractor until after next week but will try your suggestions. I have a reprint of the "Operator's Manual, OM-T31-756" which has pretty good photos on adjusting the clutch/brake. I also have a commercially made xerox-type copy of what appears...

Thanks Chuck, I'll give the shaft tapping a try. Is it possible to get some penetrant on that shaft without getting it into the clutch? Can the hub of the steering lever that rotates on the shaft be safely heated?

I recently bought a 420C that had sat outside under tarps for 25 years. Got the engine unstuck and running although with lots of blue smoke, hydaulics work and I've moved it under its own power a few feet but the left steering lever is firmly stuck (no motion whatsoever) in it's forward position. I'...