Just Bought a 1949 John Deere MC Crawler, have some question

bulldogmack407 · Post by **bulldogmack407** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 7:10 pm

So i just bought a 1949 John Deere MC crawler for $1500. It runs really good and works as it should. There are issues but nothing that seems major. I plan to pull the engine and overhaul it. I would love to restore it which i might do while the engines out.

I have some questions though:

Is there an adjustment for the steering clutches?

The machine has a belt driven hydraulic pump but i thought some M tractors and MC crawlers had one driven off trans? I would love to get ride of the monstrosity hanging off the side of the engine and install a factory one if its possible.

The machine has a rear PTO and rear belt drive pulley, the pulley itself has come apart and is no longer usable. Where can i get a replacement? The Drive and all is solid its just the actual paper pulley.

Also does anyone know where to buy grouser bars for it? Its not urgent but if im going to restore it i want new ones as the current ones have a lot of use on them.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks![/img]

whiteclipse16 · Post by **whiteclipse16** » Wed Jul 29, 2015 5:10 am

I don't know a whole lot about MC's but yes there should be a steering clutch adjustment.
As far as the pads go, Lavoy might have some but I think a lot of the track related stuff is no longer available new for the MC.

Stan Disbrow · Post by **Stan Disbrow** » Wed Jul 29, 2015 6:28 am

Hi,

The original hydraulic pump is on the front of the engine driven off the end of the camshaft. Maybe it failed and what you see is the quick fix. If you are rebuilding the engine, that would be a perfect time to fix the original pump.

The belt driven one is an add-on, as would be a PTO driven one. It would be rather iffy to run one off the PTO as it would quit every time you used the clutch pedal. There was no live PTO option for the M series.

Stan

Post by **Lavoy** » Wed Jul 29, 2015 7:33 am

New pulleys are available, the Paper Pulley Company makes them.
No new pads available at this time, only used ones.
You need to get a factory parts and service manual prior to attempting any adjustment.
Lavoy

johndeere4402-53 · Post by **johndeere4402-53** » Wed Jul 29, 2015 2:22 pm

You could get a front mount pump with a new tanks and valve? Where are you from? eastern pa

gregjo1948 · Post by **gregjo1948** » Thu Jul 30, 2015 4:13 am

Stan Disbrow wrote:Hi,

Stan-- Does the pump run off the camshaft or did you mean crankshaft?

The original hydraulic pump is on the front of the engine driven off the end of the camshaft. Maybe it failed and what you see is the quick fix. If you are rebuilding the engine, that would be a perfect time to fix the original pump.

The belt driven one is an add-on, as would be a PTO driven one. It would be rather iffy to run one off the PTO as it would quit every time you used the clutch pedal. There was no live PTO option for the M series.

Stan

Stan Disbrow · Post by **Stan Disbrow** » Thu Jul 30, 2015 5:54 am

Hi,

Original M pump runs off the end of the camshaft. It is a small gear pump on the right hand side of the engine on the front in line with the distributor.

Stan

bulldogmack407 · Post by **bulldogmack407** » Thu Jul 30, 2015 9:35 pm

Upon further inspection it appears that someone made a plate to cover where the original pump was. The plate extends out as a bracket for the pump that is currently on it. I am from Central NJ, Pennington to be specific.

Stan Disbrow · Post by **Stan Disbrow** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 6:05 am

Hi,

Ah, ha! Mystery solved. Ought to be easy enough to find an original if you so desire.

As far as location goes, you can add that under 'Profile' which is at the very top right of any page on the site. Once you do, it shows up as part of your username and avatar with every post.

Stan

snoopy · Post by **snoopy** » Thu Sep 17, 2015 1:07 pm

bulldogmack407 wrote:So i just bought a 1949 John Deere MC crawler for $1500. It runs really good and works as it should. There are issues but nothing that seems major. I plan to pull the engine and overhaul it. I would love to restore it which i might do while the engines out.

I have some questions though:

Is there an adjustment for the steering clutches?

The machine has a belt driven hydraulic pump but i thought some M tractors and MC crawlers had one driven off trans? I would love to get ride of the monstrosity hanging off the side of the engine and install a factory one if its possible.

The machine has a rear PTO and rear belt drive pulley, the pulley itself has come apart and is no longer usable. Where can i get a replacement? The Drive and all is solid its just the actual paper pulley.

Also does anyone know where to buy grouser bars for it? Its not urgent but if im going to restore it i want new ones as the current ones have a lot of use on them.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks![/img]

When i got my MC, it had a belt driven hyd pump on and it worked good for years. Then it got week and would not lift so I got an original pump and it works great. I got my pump off of ebay, but you have to be careful in getting the correct pump. THe MC should have the three piece pump on it. The earlier two piece pump looks the same but the mounting bolt pattern is different.On the end of the cam shaft there may or may not be a gear to drive the pump. It is held to the cam shaft by I believe two screws.
The two piece pump may work but one would need the correct front plate for the motor.

I have a complete tank and valve set up and steel lines and hoses, also a good two part pump. I have an extra front plate but do not remember which pump it is for. I think it is for a three part pump.

It is easy to change it over once you have the correct parts for you machine.
I am in Oregon and shipping would be a killer.

good manuals are available.
Good luck

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Just Bought a 1949 John Deere MC Crawler, have some question

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