1979 350C loader

[Gwilkrrs]

I am looking at a 350b with 5000 hours and a combination bucket to buy.
I am not familiar with these as I run bobcat skid loaders and mini excavators-
I am looking at cutting and filling property I own and thought it would be easier with something
Ike this-

Things to look for? To stay away from?

[LeonardL]

There are a lot of things to consider on any crawler. But the undercarriage is the biggest most expensive thing to consider. Undercarriage is 80% of any crawlers maintenance cost. Then the fact that nothing on this old iron is cheap. I always weigh the cost of any machine against what I need to get done. You can rent a lot of machine hours for what one of these old crawlers will cost you in the long run.

If you are just wanting to have an old machine to use and have as a hobby or a project then make sure it runs, will move under its own power and steer properly. Make sure it is getting its power to the ground as in will it push the bucket full without slipping a clutch.

5K on the hours is a lot if all of those hours are on the set of tracks that's on the machine currently. I would get someone who has some crawler knowledge to go with you and look closely at the undercarriage. Try to get as much history of the machine as you can find out and if you have specific questions you can always come back here. There are a lot of folks here with a lot of knowledge. Good luck!!

[boaterri]

2 x on that LeonardL said. I have a 450C track loader and it is as handy as a shirt pocket. Big enough to do real work, small enough that it can be easily transported, get into small places and is thrifty on fuel. When working on it, parts are small enough to be manageable with basic lifting/pulling equipment (think come a long and A frame) but still big enough to really hurt when you drop it on your foot.

The "B" series will have dry steering clutches which will stick when the machine is not used for a while. The "C" series have wet clutches which will not. The 4 in 1 bucket will be a big plus. If it is set up of a back hoe all the better. Mine has a 9300 back hoe which is a beast, really a little too big for the machine get what it is designed for.

Good luck,

Rick

[Gwilkrrs]

thanks-
the machine doesn't have a backhoe on it and from the pictures didn't look like it was set up for it. i think owner used it for small logging operation and farm work-
he states 1-2 years ago he put on - new injectors, new line and o rings, batteries, a new used torsional isolated plate, new springs and retainers. he said the undercarriage is good and at 75-80%

i figured this would be big enough to do what i am doing as my bobcat is getting it done- just slowly lol, but would be easier to move then something else-

[Gwilkrrs]

Well my mistake-
It is a 350c not a 350b

[B Town]

C series is even better. Oil clutches,

[Gwilkrrs]

guy had it for 17 years, he upgraded to a bigger machine
all undercarriage looked good but the pads were worn-
4 in 1 bucket doesnt close tight so fines will sift thru-
1 hose up front is bad but not leaking yet- the other 1 was just replaced
inside right rear was damp he said he had bailing wire tangled around it nd didnt know and it hurt the seal....... easy fix he said?

seat is worn but not ripped, just not comfortable........
he gave me a book and a binder
$5,000 i gave for it, he wanted $7,000

i am trying to figure out how to load pictures

[B Town]

Sounds like a reasonable buy. Good bones to start. Time for a full assessment of what is not working and a full service

[Gwilkrrs]

correct
all serviced 20 hours ago.
horn works
not sure where light switch is to be but they dont work
breather seems to have a spinner in it but it doesnt spin?
gauges work but no fuel gauge

[Gwilkrrs]

correct
all serviced 20 hours ago.
horn works
not sure where light switch is to be but they dont work
breather seems to have a spinner in it but it doesnt spin?
gauges work but no fuel gauge

[Jim B]

Welcome to the Board and congratulations on your purchase. It sounds like a good one.

What did you get for a Book and binder? You should have the appropriate Operator's Manual and Technical Manual for the machine serial number. The technical manual should be JD # TM1115. The parts catalog part number is PC1480. There were several Operator's Manuals printed over the years for the 350C. OMT79469 is the current version in the JD construction bookstore. On the FAQ board there is a post, by Stan Disbrow, listing models and manuals that will give you more Operator's Manual numbers. Lavoy can help you with manuals through his store as well.

Take some time and study the Operator's Manual first thing. It will help you with what and where of the controls and normal service checks. You say no fuel gauge, you aren't looking for a dash mounted fuel gauge, are you? It is just a metal dipstick located in the fuel tank filler neck. A 1/8" or 5/32" x 36" stick of TIG filler wire can be used to make one if it is missing.

[Gwilkrrs]

Lol- yes I was expecting a dash gauge- my bad, I did see the rod dipstick gauge,
I got technical manual TM1115 (01nov86). (Bound)
Parts catalog PC1480_PK (binder)

I got the cover for the dash (great shape) and a taco’d track spring cover that needs to be straightened for reinstallation

[Jim B]

Not much trouble shooting to that type of fuel gauge, compared to the electric ones. When you look in the fill opening, you should see the open end of a small tube looking up at you. You will want to make sure that tube is open. It is the tank vent, and the other end comes out through the bottom of the tank. Stan posted some good pictures of his, perhaps he will see this and put them up again.

Besides the operating information the Operator's Manual will have the information on normal services and lubricants required which you will need. The Technical Manuals generally omit almost all that info as they assume the OM is available to a dealer mechanic to reference. Not bad if you are only missing the OM, many have to find all three when they buy a machine. I got the OM with my 450E, then had to buy the set of two TMs, my wallet wished it had been the other way around, but at least I didn't have to buy all of them.
Jim

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

http://www.jdcrawlers.com/messageboard/ ... =2&t=13107

Here ya go!

Stan