420C Steering Brake

[handlebar99]

On my 420C with loader, the rightside steering clutch engages / disengages normally, but when making a sharp right turn, engaging the right track brake almost stalls the engine. The brake will lock up the right track but would kill the engine if I contine to pull back on the right brake.

The left track/clutch/brake operates normally.

Any suggestions as to what my problem may be & possible solutions?

(This is a greeat site -- I've learned a lot from reading the posts, but I don't remember reading about this problem.)

[JD40c]

Sounds like the clutch isn't disengaging all the way when the brake is applying. Needs a basic adjustment?

[handlebar99]

Thanx JD40C -- that was exactly my problem -- the clutch was not disengaging before the brake locked up. I spent a half hour and adjusted both the clutches. Now it works just fine. Fortunately, I got the shop manuals and operators manuals with the machine when I bought it from the estate auction --'cause it ain't intuitively obvious how to adjust the steering clutches and brakes.

Now for my next problem: Anybody have any suggestions how I explain what happened to the grass in my darling bride's backyard when I roadtested my clutch adjustments?? (I just hope it's dark before she gets home -- maybe that will buy me a day to think up a good story.)

As a sidelight, I found a bill of sale in the maintenance manual for when the 420c and loader were purchased used in 1967 for $1200 from a JD dealer. I guess the old boy got almost 40 years of use out of the machine -- not to bad a return.

Ray Rice

[fishhawk]

think the story about crop circle's will work? fishhawk

[lastchancegarage]

Ray,
First off, it wasn't road testing, you were just trying to head off that mole that was chewwing everything up. Tell her you think you got him. If that don't work, go with the crop circles....

[handlebar99]

Thanks guys, I'm taking your suggestions to heart -- but my fondest hope is that we get a good snow before daylight.