350 straight clutch adjustment

[illgetyou22]

Hello im new to the board and new to the community. I just purchased a 350 straight and has a couple questions. When i got the 350 it had been sitting for a year and the clutches are sticking some and seem to be out of adjustment. Should I run the dozer for a few hours to free up the clutches and then adjust them. Or should i adjust them right away right now i have to pull back the lever all the way to steer. Also the dozer seem to steer better in reverse im not sure why.

[Tigerhaze]

I personally would run the machine forward and backward some before adjusting- this will loosen up springs and such before adjustments.

The reason you are seeing some steering when you pull all the way back is the brakes rather than the clutches. Remember that steering is from clutches when lever is partially pulled, and from brakes when pulled further. The reverse steering is also coming from the brakes.

There are a number of discussions you can serch for if you want to read more about steering clutches.

[andregrondin]

operate the machine a bit open the covers and look inside with a light
and mirror and try to look if there is anything suspicious in there , get the manual to adjust the steering clutch accordingly to the manual ( you might have to read two three times ) then do a run test again before you close the cover , make sure that the drain plug under the casing are there so no water can come in by those holes !

my 02 cents

[illgetyou22]

So i ran the dozer and the steering got better and better as i was using it and i only had it going for about 20 minutes. The right side the was lazy preforms pretty good now but to make it turn eather way i still have to pull back far on the lever with is not right. Im going to look in the inspection hole tomorrow what should i look for except fluid? Also does anyone have a step for step maybe with pics or link because this manual is a little confusing.

[andregrondin]

Hi !

Fluid would be one of your worst enemy !!!!
the only way that I know to make the adjustment is via the manual and I know it is a tad bit akward at first to understand (my mother tongue is french) .

what I do on mine is to blow air via the drain plug hole and I put the vaccuum on top to pick up as much dust & debris as I can ,

I do not have pics of the steering clutch covers and the casing but there is not much to see in there it is not easy , but with a light and mirror you can see if the throw-out bearing is touching the pressure plate fingers properly and if the linkgae are working properly also .

I do have a complete set of pics of the way to undo and remount the steering clutch , I did both of mine .

good luck

[cdunn]

If you have a 350 straight, there should be no fluid of any kind (oil, water, mixture of oil and water, solvents ect.) in the steering clutch housing. It is a dry system on this model. If its a straight 350 and you have any liquids in the final housing, you have bigger problems than out of adjustment. You need a manual from Deere. It has pictures and fully explains how to adjust as well as disassembly and replacement of clutches, brakebands ect.

[rcs110]

I am taking my right side drive apart next week.
to fix the steering. I got a full set of manuals from davenport tractor inc , best thing i did.