Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

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Jim B
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by Jim B » Tue Feb 11, 2020 5:41 am

I too believe that is an original. I remember seeing a number of crawlers with those over the batteries, even if the tool trays were missing. The parts book shows AT18737 as a plate, NLA. The drawing looks like this as well.

B Town
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by B Town » Tue Feb 11, 2020 8:17 am

Jim B wrote:
Tue Feb 11, 2020 5:41 am
I too believe that is an original. I remember seeing a number of crawlers with those over the batteries, even if the tool trays were missing. The parts book shows AT18737 as a plate, NLA. The drawing looks like this as well.

Jim,

This makes more sense. I have been looking for an AT18737 part for many years. I always thought it was a steel cover that fit over and covered the storage area (inside the left box) between the rear battery and the operators seat. So I definitely agree, this is a genuine Deere piece and it is in the parts book. AT18737

Bruce

Jim B
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by Jim B » Tue Feb 11, 2020 8:37 am

I think most I've seen were plywood with cleats attached, one or two might have been thin cut boards. Using wood over the batteries makes sense if you think about it, lessen the risk of a short as it protects the positive battery terminals even if slid to one end of the battery box or the other. I think the title plate makes most folks think of steel, I know that would be my first thought, except any I have seen were wooden.

Stan,
Would you please share the dimensions so someone can duplicate it to the correct dimensions if they want?

Thanks,
Jim

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LeonardL
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by LeonardL » Tue Feb 11, 2020 9:37 am

I don't recall the exact dates when those boards were introduced or what machines they came out on first. They may even go back to the earlier 1010s and 2010s I just can't recall. I have slept since then. I do remember the reason behind them however. I remember seeing the first tool trays coming out with only the cross bits to hold the tray in place. After burning a few machines to the ground they determined the cause was the tool tray falling down between the two cross bits and shorting the batteries and causing the fires. Some of the boards were actually made by the dealers from the specs sent to them by Deere. Then they came with the newly built machines from the factory. That's what little I know.
40 plus years working on JD 350s, 400Gs, 450s and other equipment both Ag and Construction.

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Stan Disbrow
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by Stan Disbrow » Tue Feb 11, 2020 11:42 am

Hi,

You can see in the pic where I show the straps in place, one end of each strap slips into a slot. I can't imagine how the whole tool tray would move downwards such that it contacts the positive battery terminals. But, I can all too readily imagine a tool bouncing out of the tray and slipping down and - Zap-o-matic!

Perhaps the Deere designers couldn't imagine the tray slipping either, and also didn't imagine a tool bouncing out. I mean, bouncing on a crawler?? :P

Anyway, all boxed up and heading to my local farm-area PO which doesn't open until 12:30.... ;)

Stan
There's No Such Thing As A Cheap Crawler!

Useta Have: '58 JD 420c 5-roller w/62 inside blade
Useta Have: '78 JD350C w/6310 outside blade
Useta Have: '68 JD350, '51 Terratrac GT-25
Have: 1950 M, 2005 x495, 2008 5103 (now known as 5045D)

oldmetalmender
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by oldmetalmender » Tue Feb 11, 2020 12:23 pm

Well I am learning a lot reading all this. Good stuff. Funny how things tend to become separated from the machines. My tool tray and vandal cover are nowhere to be seen. I am assuming that it had them. My 400 backhoe is missing the metal cover that goes over the stack valves and hoses for the hoe. And the side panels for the engine. Among other things. I guess when repairs were made and there was work to be done, taking the time to finish the repair back to 100% was cut. My assumption anyway...

Thanks Stan for making the trip for the tool tray.
1969 JD 400 backhoe
1975 JD 450C crawler SOLD to a neighbor
Beloved wife Elizabeth Ann Temple murdered by covid on October 19th 2021

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LeonardL
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by LeonardL » Tue Feb 11, 2020 1:56 pm

If there is one thing I learned early in my career as a heavy equipment mechanic it was this. Stuff happens. Some times things happen around equipment that boggles the mind. My young son who has followed in my foot steps says it is Paranormal.
Some issues I have ran into over the years involved operators who were less than real operators. A few of these guys could tear up a junk pile! They would make things happen that I would not have believed if I hadn't seen them for myself. Things like bending the moldboard, the angling frame and the C frame on the dozer blade and also bent the track frames and side frames all on a JD 350C.
When I asked how they did this I got a great big smile as if they were proud of what they had accomplished. They had dug out a concrete in ground swimming pool that had came along with a piece of property that had been donated to the state. These same guys on a different project managed to jar the battery loose along with shaking the tool tray into a position where it managed to short out. The tool tray was loaded with all manor of junk and an assortment of other plunder they were caring inside the battery box. They had removed the board we're talking about because they thought it was in their way. After confronting one of these guys his answer was simply this. "It's a bulldozer! What's the big deal!" Then I also realized the state was only paying these guys eight bucks an hour. So they got what they paid for.
But... yes... these trays can and will get down in a position where they can short out on the battery. Like Stan pointed out I'm sure Deere along with every other sensible person never thought about these things happening.
40 plus years working on JD 350s, 400Gs, 450s and other equipment both Ag and Construction.

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Stan Disbrow
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by Stan Disbrow » Tue Feb 11, 2020 2:47 pm

Hi,

Its away!

Stan

With the board out, my only tool in the tray - a hammer to work the tilt wedges on the blade - is now lying in the bottom of the hydraulic tank box. Probably a better place for it anyway. Shorted starting batteries are really scary! I used to teach volunteer fire and rescue folks in a junkyard. Lots of batteries and lug wrenches. Take a battery into the open, drop the lug wrench across the terminals, and RUN! Then, tell the hose crew: put that out, willya? :P
There's No Such Thing As A Cheap Crawler!

Useta Have: '58 JD 420c 5-roller w/62 inside blade
Useta Have: '78 JD350C w/6310 outside blade
Useta Have: '68 JD350, '51 Terratrac GT-25
Have: 1950 M, 2005 x495, 2008 5103 (now known as 5045D)

bennyt
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by bennyt » Tue Feb 11, 2020 3:22 pm

oldmetalmender: Would you be interested in making more of the tool trays if you had the demand? Do you have a ballpark estimate what they would cost? I know I'd like to have one.

timmtnman
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by timmtnman » Tue Feb 11, 2020 7:23 pm

There's a 450b on Ebay that has a tool tray that is built a little different than Stans. May have been different styles built.

oldmetalmender
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by oldmetalmender » Tue Feb 11, 2020 7:33 pm

Hi BennyT,
Yes I would say I could make more of them. But till I make one I just can't say a definite price. I need to take a few things into consideration. Costs of materials to make them, The sheet of metal, paint, etc. and the time involved. I figure out what that is and try to come up with a reasonable price. I usually have to drive 1.5 hours one way to get metal. I don't consider that in the equation since I am the one who decided to move to the middle of timbuktu. :) I can tell already that it will be faster than the vandalism covers. Lots of cuts and bends there. So hold on for just a bit and I will know more very soon. I have an OEM one on the way here. Thanks to Stan.

EDIT:: Bennyt would you want just the tray or the board and lower strap supports also? I thought I would ask.

Thanks,
Al
Last edited by oldmetalmender on Tue Feb 11, 2020 7:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1969 JD 400 backhoe
1975 JD 450C crawler SOLD to a neighbor
Beloved wife Elizabeth Ann Temple murdered by covid on October 19th 2021

oldmetalmender
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by oldmetalmender » Tue Feb 11, 2020 7:41 pm

timmtnman wrote:
Tue Feb 11, 2020 7:23 pm
There's a 450b on Ebay that has a tool tray that is built a little different than Stans. May have been different styles built.
Finally found it. Looks to have a compartment at each end with a shorter handle.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/john-deere-450 ... SwRWtdRCHe
1969 JD 400 backhoe
1975 JD 450C crawler SOLD to a neighbor
Beloved wife Elizabeth Ann Temple murdered by covid on October 19th 2021

oldmetalmender
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by oldmetalmender » Tue Feb 11, 2020 7:50 pm

Wow, I actually got past ebay and figured out how to save it. I resized it and hopefully it will show.

Image
1969 JD 400 backhoe
1975 JD 450C crawler SOLD to a neighbor
Beloved wife Elizabeth Ann Temple murdered by covid on October 19th 2021

bennyt
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by bennyt » Fri Feb 14, 2020 1:26 pm

oldmetalmender Thanks for your reply. I envy you for being able to do metal work. I'm pretty handy at mechanical stuff, but have never tried any metal work. I might give it a try one day.
' I would probably want the tool tray and straps. I think I can make the board myself.

oldmetalmender
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Re: Looking for 450 tool tray pictures or measurements

Post by oldmetalmender » Fri Feb 14, 2020 9:50 pm

OK sounds good. I am still waiting for the box of parts. Then get a good look, make the patterns, make sure I have the right size metal etc. I will keep posting progress of course.

Metal work is actually a hoot. Give it a try and a good place to learn neat stuff is You tube. There is some very amazing talent there.
Hand made parts are like art to me. I can appreciate what goes into the creation.
1969 JD 400 backhoe
1975 JD 450C crawler SOLD to a neighbor
Beloved wife Elizabeth Ann Temple murdered by covid on October 19th 2021

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