350B Final Drive Gearing

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Kaiverol
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350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by Kaiverol » Sat Sep 05, 2020 11:46 pm

Hi, just joined. My 350B seems to have different gears in the final drives between the left and the right. The left track drives faster than the right and therefore constantly steers right. Is my assumption correct and are there different gear ratios available? I don’t know the history of the machine.

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Re: 350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by Lavoy » Sun Sep 06, 2020 10:06 am

Never heard of different tooth count for 350's. Slipping clutch possibly?
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Kaiverol
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Re: 350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by Kaiverol » Sun Sep 06, 2020 10:45 am

I don’t think it is a clutch slipping because it happens all the time even just driving with no load. When I bought the machine, the previous owner had redone one side of the steering clutches. Have not used the machine much, but that is how I got it. Now a few years later and not storing my crawler very well, the left side steering clutch is seized. Planning to rebuild myself over the winter.

Also, just opened the pto cover and a lot of water poured out. Not knowing the machine, I did not realize this was direct opening to the transmission. Kinda good luck that I did not know what I was doing and found this.

Will do fluid changes and smarten up on storage.

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Re: 350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by Jim B » Sun Sep 06, 2020 5:18 pm

If your track alignment is off it can cause drifting to one side. I don't have a 350B technical manual (TM1032) to look at, but checking track alignment should be covered in your manual, I know it is in at least some of the 450 series manuals. If you don't have a set of manuals for your crawler, contact Lavoy. I believe he has, or can get, them through his store.

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gregjo1948
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Re: 350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by gregjo1948 » Tue Sep 08, 2020 2:56 am

Could a brake band be dragging?
JD 350B diesel 6way blade, Case 580B Loader/backhoe, Farmall 504 high crop w/ flail boom mower, International 404 , International 284 diesel w/belly mower, 1972 Ford F600 dump truck, Galion 3-5 roller, Allis Chalmers D17, 1620 Ford

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Lavoy
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Re: 350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by Lavoy » Tue Sep 08, 2020 8:33 am

It really shouldn't, the tracks are positive drive, there is really no mechanism for different rpm of the drives other than a slipping clutch.
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Kaiverol
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Re: 350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by Kaiverol » Tue Sep 08, 2020 4:38 pm

I will acquire some manuals. Only have operator manual right now. Will look into clutch slippage.

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gregjo1948
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Re: 350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by gregjo1948 » Wed Sep 09, 2020 2:50 am

I've unstuck seized clutches {main & steering} by bumping into a tree or an other immoveable object. It was never mentioned if both tracks will spin or slip when pushing hard. Just picked up a 1715 4x4 Ford wheeled tractor for my nephew with the clutch stuck. Third time bumping into my 350B dozer's blade, the clutch released. Slipped it a little to clean the pressure plate and flywheel a bit and it works fine.
JD 350B diesel 6way blade, Case 580B Loader/backhoe, Farmall 504 high crop w/ flail boom mower, International 404 , International 284 diesel w/belly mower, 1972 Ford F600 dump truck, Galion 3-5 roller, Allis Chalmers D17, 1620 Ford

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LeonardL
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Re: 350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by LeonardL » Thu Sep 10, 2020 11:57 am

I'm with Lavoy on this one. At least ninety percent of the machines I've ran into with this issue was a slipping steering clutch. A couple of broken axles and a couple with the clutch pack centers were stripped out. The only other things I've seen were track alignment as was mentioned and a couple of machines where the owners had removed one link of the track rail or chain. Count your pads and you should have 36 on each side. If you have one side shorter than the other it will make them pull to the short side.
40 plus years working on JD 350s, 400Gs, 450s and other equipment both Ag and Construction.

Kaiverol
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Re: 350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by Kaiverol » Sun Sep 13, 2020 8:51 am

I counted my pads and there are 36 each side. Pressured washed machine to get ready for clutch repair.

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Re: 350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by original possum » Sun Sep 13, 2020 9:27 pm

Before you break the track check your pins and bushings. Believe it or not, a track with less slop will apparently run slower than one with good slack (and eat up the sprocket doing it).
Early 40C w/Yakima toolbar and homebuilt ripper: 350 w/6-way

original possum
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Re: 350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by original possum » Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:31 am

Let me make that a little clearer. Worn tracks have a greater distance between pads. When the bushi9ng gets to the sprocket it first is a little distance from the base of the tooth, but rubs its way to the base, pulling the track a little more as it rubs in. Experience talking here.
Early 40C w/Yakima toolbar and homebuilt ripper: 350 w/6-way

Kaiverol
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Re: 350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by Kaiverol » Wed Sep 16, 2020 7:28 pm

That’s interesting. I was looking at the tracks and one was tighter than the other. I have adjusted them in the past, but not necessarily to spec. I saw that one of the track adjusters was not out as much as the other. I also wonder if one adjuster is not holding grease. I will do some measuring etc. I know the undercarriage is somewhat worn, but still learning.

Kaiverol
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Re: 350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by Kaiverol » Sun Sep 20, 2020 5:53 pm

Just typed my heart out and lost the post. Starting over, found my left track to be badly worn (bushings not round) and right track looking real good (3” shorter) with no obvious wear. Was fooled due to lots of chrome showing on right adjuster and none on left (as well as being green). Will need to rebuild the one track. I will look for threads on doing so, but any replies here appreciated. Thanks possum!

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Re: 350B Final Drive Gearing

Post by Lavoy » Mon Sep 21, 2020 7:42 am

Rebuild is not economical, if pins and bushings are even available. You will need a new rail on that side.
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