Yesterday I bought a 1970 JD 450 from a very good friend. I know some will say not to buy things like this from friends but we're all good. I'd rather buy from someone that's not trying to hide the problems and I'm not going to go back to him if there are issues as I understand this is a 50+ year old machine. For the most part it seems to be very solid. It has a few quirks but fully operable. I've had plenty of tractors and other toys but something like this is new to me so I definitely need to learn more about how it all works. He did give me a service manual.
Last evening I put about an hour in the seat rounding up a pile of pulpwood pine trees and pushing into a burn pile. Worked very well other than issue I'm bringing up here.
One thing I would like to get fixed or adjusted is the left steering/lever. It SOMETIMES doesn't work too well or at all. Here are the details.
*He has about 100 hours on the machine and it was like this since he bought it. He just dealt with it since from what he told me the cab would have to be removed to make steering clutch adjustments. It never changed or got better or worse over those 100 hours.
*The lower the gear the worse it is. Low 1 it is a real struggle. High 2 it works a lot better but not as good as the right lever.
*Reverse it appears to work completely normal. Just like the right lever.
*It does not pull one way or the other and I pushed a very heavy pile of trees quite well with it last evening. Both tracks seemed to be pushing like they are supposed to.
*Clutch and brake PEDALS seem fine and work well.
From the research I've done I would think this is an adjustment to the steering clutch. But I'd like some input. I would think if it were an issue with frozen clutches it would be this way all the time, not come and go with different operating situations and especially over the course of years and 100 hours. But at the same time it seems like it doesn't release in certain situations while others it operates normally.
Thoughts? How do I know for sure this is the issue? Could it be partially frozen/rusted steering clutches?
Straight 450 Left Steering Lever Issue
Re: Straight 450 Left Steering Lever Issue
I was told to get into something I couldn’t move. When the tracks started spinning the left steering clutch was releasing same as right.
I also noticed this evening that going downhill it turned much harder than going uphill.
I’m going to go with brakes being the problem. Hopefully an adjustment.
Is there a way to inspect the brakes without tearing things apart or do I start with a brake adjustment in hopes that fixes it?
I also noticed this evening that going downhill it turned much harder than going uphill.
I’m going to go with brakes being the problem. Hopefully an adjustment.
Is there a way to inspect the brakes without tearing things apart or do I start with a brake adjustment in hopes that fixes it?
Re: Straight 450 Left Steering Lever Issue
Start with the complete steering clutch and brake adjustment, following the procedure in the manual. You will be able to see some when you have it open to do the adjustment. If you have access to a bore scope type camera you might be able to look around a bit more.
Re: Straight 450 Left Steering Lever Issue
ok, got it. My buddy has a bore scope. I will try to get it from him.
- Jack-the-Ripper
- 440 crawler
- Posts: 101
- Joined: Tue Aug 10, 2010 11:28 pm
- Location: Napa, CA
Re: Straight 450 Left Steering Lever Issue
I'm not clear exactly what the problem is but here's some thoughts:
If the 450 is like the 450B there will be a shaft inside the clutch/brake housing that redirects the motion from the steering lever to motion that will operate the steering clutch throwout bearing. This steel shaft passes through two brass/bronze bushings that can bind with rust over time. This rod is turned in one direction with the power of the operator, but when released, relies on a spring for its return. This can bind up intermittently causing erratic clutch activation and deactivation.
As I recall, there is a small access plate near the back of the steering housing cover. Inside you will see one element of this rod. Hitting it with a hammer and punch is a way to unstick it. (It's not permanent fix.) If that element looks well hammered it is a sign of rust in those bushings.
If this is the problem, the ultimate solution is to disassemble the whole steering clutch/brake mechanism, remove the shaft and clean the "bearing" surfaces. I drilled the cast iron bushing mounts and inserted small copper tubing that I routed out the back of the housing so I could grease these bushings occasionally through zircs mounted outside.
If the 450 is like the 450B there will be a shaft inside the clutch/brake housing that redirects the motion from the steering lever to motion that will operate the steering clutch throwout bearing. This steel shaft passes through two brass/bronze bushings that can bind with rust over time. This rod is turned in one direction with the power of the operator, but when released, relies on a spring for its return. This can bind up intermittently causing erratic clutch activation and deactivation.
As I recall, there is a small access plate near the back of the steering housing cover. Inside you will see one element of this rod. Hitting it with a hammer and punch is a way to unstick it. (It's not permanent fix.) If that element looks well hammered it is a sign of rust in those bushings.
If this is the problem, the ultimate solution is to disassemble the whole steering clutch/brake mechanism, remove the shaft and clean the "bearing" surfaces. I drilled the cast iron bushing mounts and inserted small copper tubing that I routed out the back of the housing so I could grease these bushings occasionally through zircs mounted outside.
JD450C (Jack the Ripper), JD450B (Jill the Wench), KomatsuPC120 (Ursa, The Big Dipper), Case580E (Ida Hoe), International 4400 Dump Truck
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests