some GOOD news on a 450C

[amos]

Few weeks back I bought a 1977ish 450C needing "a little work".Short version is she runs like a top. Bad news is she don't move too well. Found the obvious 22 of 24 passes plugged reverser strainer and she moved a little. No 1st gear though and Low on the HLR wasn't right. Dug a little deeper and someone had replaced both shifter upper linkage pins with undersized bolts which resulted in way too much slop in the linkages. Popped in correct pins and she's moving with strong lockup in HLR and 1st gear is working.
About 996 other things that need attention but a $3.00 transmission fix put a big ol' smile on my face.
Dozer was a deal at $1700.00 broke down deep in some woods in southern Louisiana(ugh).
Just a little pick me up for the other busted knuckle wrenchers out there.

[mini kahuna]

that's a cool story, you found the problem BEFORE pulling the reverser.
I have gotten lucky on machine repairs once in awhile but never repaired a broken HLR for 3 bucks.

[amos]

I'm a firm believer in factory manuals and have some major $$$ invested in same for all of equipment I have and some I fixed and sold. But basic problem solving sure does come in handy too.
This darling of a dozer had:blown hydraulic pump,6-way control valve plumbed wrong,leaking injectors,busted exhaust manifold,non-functioning gauges and tach,belly pan off,nose off.
Good sprockets,idlers,and rollers but track chains at 10% with generous measurements and welded master link pins to boot. Tensioner seals blown(of course) and shafts for same pitted.
PLan was to do quick eval of engine(good) reverser(now good) and tranny(now good) and if any of those were bad part it out. BUT with those being good I can spend a few thousand on chains,pads,and tensioners,and other assorted pieces and parts and end up with a fairly good 450C for under 8 grand.
Blind squirrel finds a nut every now and again...

[Paul Buhler]

Always nice when a quick fix works. Offsets the times they don't. Best wishes as you get your machine back into spec.

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

Now, you know....yes, a blind squirrel does find a nut....and laying in the bottom of the most difficult-to-get-at housing.....and when he does finally get it out....it is stripped....

Stan