JDcrawlers Messageboard

The 450B has dry steering clutches whose housings and innards are susceptible to rust, even if only from humidity and condensation. In my case the linkages to the throw out bearings in the steering clutches had frozen. The steering lever actuates an arm within the steering clutch housing that twists...

I've disassembled the relevant control valve and found broken pieces of cylinder seals or o-rings wedged in the valve.

A couple more thoughts I've had recently about slipping clutches: When I rebuilt the 450B (dry clutches) I found my steels and fibers were scratched and pitted in places. I reused them, thinking they'll work good enough, which would be OK for a car that mostly drives on level ground. When we are pus...

I have a 450C with rippers and a 450B with a winch. I had 60 acres of lumber trees, and never used, or felt the need for, the winch, instead using one of my binder chains for pulling logs. The winch is used for production logging where you can hitch 3 or 4 logs that are spread out together with one ...

Thank you all for the fine suggestions. I replaced the "plastic" overflow tank for the cooling system which cured the leak but did nothing for the ABS light or the Jake, at a cost of about $300 for the part - ouch! At least my labor was free. The ABS computer was indeed on the fire wall, between the...

Just some general thoughts for those timid about electricity. I use jumper cables for quick temporary test connections like those suggested here. I made some extra heavy ones for truck and tractor use - I came across some very large fine strand wire and bought large hardware store clamps. One could ...

I recently had a job "loosening" the "fill" soil, around a new house, that had been compacted by trucks during construction. My 450C with rippers was not available and I thought I could just use the 450B with its brush rake attached, which is actually just 4 or 5 little rippers welded to a swing arm...

First of all Randy, have no regrets, you have a real dozer to operate and work on, you've found this great group, and in my experience as owner of both a 450B and 450C, they both operate great once you get them "dialed in." (Defined in a prior post as spending more time operating than repairing!) I ...

Its amazing sometimes how, after all the high end engineering and analysis, the hammer and chisel proves to be the optimum solution. Sometimes the only thing that bests it is a bigger hammer and bigger chisel.

Great suggestions, one and all. I know that asking here is a long shot but there's so much talent, I thought I'd give a try. The coolant just dripped straight to the ground. It doesn't seem like it should have any connection to the Jake (but always good to keep in mind). In my years of troubleshooti...

This is the newest vehicle I own; lots of computer stuff! The Jake brake isn't working. Its activation switch gives an incorporated flashing light instead, when activated. The manual says that during the need for ABS activation, the system will override the Jake. I suspect there may be a connection....

Weld-on grouser repair stock is available. It is hardened steel with chamfers on one edge to facilitate full penetration welding. I saw it at "Trackman" in Spokane. Grousers will help on packed snow. If you are plowing your road with a frozen base on a hill, there's times when nothing will help, par...

One reason for track snap is worn track rail ("chain") and sprocket. The tooth initially hits the rollers on the track "chain" rather than the space in between. Sharply pointed sprocket teeth are one indication of excessive wear. I think there is a measurement spec'ed for the track "chain" as well. ...

John, During my 450B clutch overhaul I chose to replace the brake shoes with professionally rebuilt which were readily accessible and unusually cheap. I got them from Norcan (as I recall), a used (and new) tractor parts supplier in Spokane, WA On a steep hill, your brakes could save your life. Unles...

Inside the clutch housing is a vertical rod with a bushing on each end. An arm on top is activated by the steering lever through linkage. An arm in the middle engages the throwout bearing. The "Bs" get moisture in their housings which rusts up the bushings on this vertical rod, which gets stuck in t...