420c

rheadrick · Post by **rheadrick** » Tue May 22, 2012 7:07 pm

I'm new on this site and wanted to say hello to all. I just bought a 420 c and have absolutely fell in love with it. It is in good shape as far as I can tell and is a good bit more powerful than I expected. I have 18 acres in east Tennessee and have plans to use the crawler in the woods to clear some trails and do some small dirt moving jobs. But what I wanted to say most of all is Thank you all for the posts on this website because it gave me the confidence to purchase the crawler. I have enjoyed reading the site and look forward to more in the future

Post by **Lavoy** » Tue May 22, 2012 7:20 pm

Welcome to the site, and the wonderful world of crawlers.
Lavoy

Willyr · Post by **Willyr** » Tue May 22, 2012 7:25 pm

Post your questions, we will all be happy to help you out as best as we can. We too are learning.

You want to have a fairly good under carriage if romping around in the woods. Its a pain to throw a track far from where tools are.

Wife had a real eye opener when I tossed a track on a case 350 I use to own. She thought it was dead where it sat. 3 hours later with her non mechanical knowledge she helped me get it out of the road and back up to the house.

It also made for a heck of a driveway plow

rheadrick · Post by **rheadrick** » Tue May 22, 2012 7:38 pm

Thanks willyr The gentleman that I bought the crawler from had new pins and bushings installed years ago but had not put 5 hours on the crawler since. as a matter of fact the tracks pins were so tight I had some trouble getting them losened up. I think the rollers and idler are ok but I want to lube them with corn head grease. Any more suggestions would be appreciated.

Willyr · Post by **Willyr** » Wed May 23, 2012 2:29 am

Your pins and bushings are designed to work dry. Use of grease will shorten life of the tracks as the grease will hold dirt and act as a grinding compound.

Rule of thumb: If there is no grease fitting, you dont need to grease it unless it is a bearing that needs to be packed.

vtjoe · Post by **vtjoe** » Wed May 23, 2012 1:49 pm

Having owned a 420 for over 25 years all I can say is enjoy!!!
here in Vermont when working the crawler in the woods we have to be careful of getting it up on ledge (rock). the only thing the dozer doesn't like is turning or working on solid rock ---tough on EVERYTHING!!!!
so I assume that the land where you are is softer!!!!!! be careful, maintain correct track tension, brake bands and clutch adjusments. if it has a reverser use it only to back up with no load on the blade everyone here is great for information and Lavoy has almost all you will ever need for parts as I understand it

rheadrick · Post by **rheadrick** » Wed May 23, 2012 3:36 pm

Thanks vtjoe, Not any rock on my property and thanks for the tip for not using the reverser under a load. I'm trying to figure out the mechanics of the reverser unit. I have a parts manual with a good exploded view but the service manual I have only has the old style reverser. I am a pilot by trade and I have to know how everything works so I can operate it properly.

Post by **Lavoy** » Thu May 24, 2012 9:51 am

For reverser info on your crawler, you will need to get a 440 service manual.
First thing I would tellyou if you didn't already know, is use the foot clutch when shifting the reverser.
Lavoy

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