Clutch and brake adjustments

[Dixon700]

I got a 450 dozer in the recent past. I believe everything needs adjusted on it. When switching directions it grinds as it does when changing gears, and you can't get the pto to engage with it running. Also my right brake appears to do nothing. I have found an old 440ic manual, but haven't found a 450 manual. I wasn't sure if the adjustment was the same or not. Also if I should try adjustments first or tear down and repair of the right brake. First tracked unit I've ever worked on.

[Jim B]

Good afternoon Dixon700,

Posts for a 450 should be on the Late Models Board. Lavoy, or a moderator,will likely move this over there when they see it.

The first thing I would ask is: what is your serial number? There are different manuals for the 450, 450B, 450C, etc. Post the entire letter and number string from the tag and we can help you find the right publications for your crawler. The tag will either be on the panel below the seat, near your right calf when setting in the seat or on the front panel of the battery box, right where you would see it when getting on the left side of the machine. I think you were looking for manuals last fall and got some suggestions then of where to purchase them. I believe Lavoy said he thought he could get them if you want (email him at: postmaster@jdcrawlers.com). I gave you a link to the official John Deere site for construction equipment publications. And they can be found on eBay and other places on line. I'm sure Lavoy will have good quality manuals as he works on JD crawlers and sells parts for them (his store provides this site for us to use), the JD manuals are good quality, you can find original JD manuals on eBay, and I have a couple reprints from Peaceful Creek, a seller on eBay, that are good quality. I am not impressed with the quality of the Jensales (reprints) manuals, and the I&T manuals are limited in what they cover. In any case you need to be sure which 450 you have to get the right manuals. You don't want to buy the wrong ones. There are not many (pretty much no) free manuals on line; if that is what you have been looking for.

The adjustments of a 440IC and 450s are somewhat similar in principal, however there are important differences, more as the models got newer. You need the right manual to do them correctly. I would say get the right manuals (Operator's Manual and Technical/service Manual) for your machine and try adjusting it before you tear it apart.

[Dixon700]

It's a regular 450 so somewhere in the 60's I believe. Which made me assume early model. *Doh. Honestly I never looked hard enough for a manual. It has been on the back burner due to other projects and life. Like right now I have my backhoes transaxle on the bench to repair the brakes. Also would I need to look for a separate manual for the winch I believe it's a jd 3325. It needs completely over hauled. Thanks

[Jim B]

The Early Models Board is for the crawlers up through the 2010 models (like the Lindeman, MC, 40, 420, 440, 1010 to name a few). The Late Models start with the 350s and 450s up to the current series machines. Compared to the crawlers many here are running, you have a late model machine, even if it is an early 450.

I don't have a copy of SM2064, the straight 450 manual. Pictures of its index, I see on line, show the 3320 and 3325 winches as sections included in it like many of the other JD crawler manuals.

Diesel or gas? Does it have the HLR transmission (High, Low, Reverse) as well as a gear transmission? What does it have for a blade? Inside 6 way hydraulic, outside, outside with tilt? If you can post that serial number information we can help you figure out what year it is for sure. Some parts have serial number breaks as well.

[Dixon700]

It's a manual 4? way, there's 3 pin slots down each side, than it has tapered locks near the blade end of the arms to then tilt. There's 4 speeds on the left fender, low, high, neutral, and reverse between your feet. A pto/winch engagement lever by the right brake pedal. I'll have to get the serial number off of it. If the hour meter is correct it only has 4660 hrs. It is also a diesel.

[Dixon700]

T5f3c 036070t

[Dixon700]

[Jim B]

Here is your machine's serial number tag breakdown using the 450 Introduction section from the JD parts Catalog PC922 https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/nav ... ment/64777:

SN = serial number
T = Tractor
5 = JD450
F = Crawler Dozer
3 = Diesel
C = Transmission (Constant Mesh)

Serial number: 036070 (This number falls in the 1966 build range using the serial number list on this site’s FAQ board)

T= (Build location) John Deere Dubuque Works

This serial number is a 1966 straight 450 crawler dozer with a diesel engine and transmission.

As for your dozer blade. It sounds like a 6410 blade, the blades were not included in the manuals for the 450s as they are with the later 450 series machines. The 6410 is a 6 way (lifts up, down - angles left, right -and tilts to both sides), outside mounts blade. See if it looks like the one in this link: https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc-ser ... cale=en-US. If you tilt the blade be careful ho hard you drive those taper locks (wedges) in. Those clamps are hard to find if you break the ears off, Yes the wedges can do that if driven in hard.

I wouldn't necessarily believe the hourmeter, they fail and are easy to change.

[Dixon700]

Yes, that's the blade I have. So that isn't the original blade for that dozer?

[Dixon700]

I thought mine had the hlr trans? I mean it has the selector in the middle. What makes it the constant mesh? Man I'm lost with this dozer, first Deere and first piece of tracked equipment. Honestly figuring out my 580sk was way easier.

[Jim B]

The 6410 was one of the three blade options for a 450 so your 6410 blade is most likely it original blade.

The constant mesh has as many gears as the HLR but it is all mechanical in the hi-lo-reverse section and 4 speed gear box, you must fully depress the clutch and stop to shift. An HLR has hydraulic clutches for the hi-lo-and reverse section so it can be shift on the fly and the clutch is not required to shift it. The 4 speed gearbox behind it requires using the clutch to shift those gears.

This page is from a 450 Operator's Manual describes the two transmission options.

[RickH]

Wasn’t sure where to post this.
Does anyone know where in central MN i could take my 350b to get steering clutches and brakes re-built?

[Jim B]

Most posts for your 350B will belong in this forum. I would suggest you start a new post of your own with something like "Looking for crawler repair in MN" for a title, then say what your crawler is (is this a wide track from a previous post?) and just what you are looking for as far as repairs. Your need will likely just get lost in this thread (which is covering something different than what you are looking for). Its not that hard to do steering clutches, have you considered doing them yourself? Good luck with the project.
Jim

[Cle Elum John]

As far as the manuals go, try to find the latest revision for the model 450(straight). The manual changed somewhat between the original Edition and the final Edition. I ended up with two editions. The first was an early revision that came with the machine and had some really useful notes by the original owner. The second was copyright 1984 and had revisions up to about 1975. There were significant changes.

[Dixon700]

Good to know, I'll try to find the most current.