JDcrawlers Messageboard

Hi,

I haven't thought about electric start being a 'fancy option' for a long while. It's good to be reminded just how far we've come from time to time.

I haven't cranked on something in a long, long time. It's something to remember the next time an electric starter gives me fits.....

later!

Stan

Hi, Yes, the orchard muffler is horizontal. The worry there is that anything that rubs the branches damages buds and so reduces the fruit production. It's more about protecting the trees than the humans. ;) Crawlers were really popular at one time in orchard use since they're so low to the ground an...

Hi, Ok, looking at it now. I originally thought the link was to photos of the machine, but it's a copy of the wiring diagram. There are four 'somethings' on a lead that runs back to the key switch terminal 'GL'. I presume those are the glow plugs. I love it when they don't use international symbols ...

Hi, I wish we lived closer, I'd come over and poke at it with you. Actually, I used to live a lot closer to you, but that doesn't help us much now! :P I have a nifty recording digital 'scopemeter' that is very useful for times like this. It has two channels, so one can record the volts and the other...

Hi, Change the spark plugs. I've had this happen, and it's usually a cracked insulator, which is danged hard to see. They look good, but spend half their time firing to the side rather than the end. Screws up everything. After that, check the timing with a light (which is fun because you have to sca...

Hi, Yes, they ought not to be powered on unless you want them powered on. I have run into that before, mainly on Ford F350's. They use them every time one does a cold start - part of their emissions scheme. That leads to failures - a lot. They use a relay, much like a starter relay, so I simply add ...

Hi, Cylinder sleeve seals are the first thing that pops into my mind. Head gasket is the second thing. Might me some seepage past the sleeve seals from expansion/contraction from the changes in ambient temperature over the 8 years. Was it a lot in the oil, like it all leaked in there, or only a litt...

Hi, No, the parallel batteries are incapable of causing the glow plugs to draw more amps than the resistance of said plugs demands they draw given 12 volts. The original thought I had when reading this is that an error was made and the batteries wound up in series, giving 24 volts. That would fry gl...

Hi, Wasn't there a running change on the 440 series from 2-bolt to 4-bolt rails? I seem to recall such. As far as the grousers go, if they're worn down and you run on dirt it won't be much of a problem. If you run on rock, though, it will stress several things, including the seat of your pants! :P l...

Hi, Yep, that's sound advice. I always go by the rule that if the block is good, just rebuild the one in front of you. I can't tell you how many engines I've seen over the years that appear to be better than the one I had, yet were worse off once I got into them. Oh, and I also go by the rule that a...

Hi, You probably also need all new everything else as well. Rollers, idlers, sprockets. As the chains wear, so do all the other undercarriage parts. New 420 chains are no longer available. The chains for the later model JD350 are, but that means having to cut the teeth off the 420 sprockets and weld...

Hi, Sounds like pump cavitation to me. As in there's air getting sucked in somewhere. Check the suction line fittings for a loose goose nut. They can suck air in and then vent it out at the tank if something is not tight. The industrial machines use an open-center pump, so I don't suspect the pump i...

I did read the posts previous to mine on rails and there was talk of 350 rails and there was discussion on the sprocket ring and did not understand the problem. Hi, The 350 chains, or rails, have a different pitch than the older rails do. So, to use 350 rails one needs to have the teeth cut off the...

Hi,

I *love* the tracks as a paint bench!

It's a great idea. It holds stuff off the ground and you can put as much paint on the pads as you like. It won't stay there for long no matter how much is used!

later!

Stan

Hi, Mixing chassis grease and multiweight 140 lubricant oil makes for a heavier lube oil but over time tends to unmix itself back into chassis grease and multiweight 140 lubricant oil..... Guess who tried that once?? :P Fortunately it was in a jar to see if the stuff stayed mixed or not. It's a good...