1976 JD 550 dozer

[rbp]

The left stick has very little action. How do you adjust it? Right stick is ok. Thanks.

[Jim B]

Welcome to the Boards.

A bit of housekeeping. Posts about your 550 should be made on the Late Models Board, this Early Models Board is for the 2010 crawlers and those built prior to that model. A moderator will likely move it over there when they see it.

As for your steering issue, I don't know how much you know about it. The 550 has wet steering clutches and brakes. The steering clutches are applied by oil pressure, when a lever is pulled back to turn the oil pressure is dumped from that steering clutch and the brake applies as the lever is pulled further back. There is no adjustment to be made to the steering clutches themselves. There may be a problem in the valving system. The brakes are self-adjusting. They can over tighten if too much pull is put on the lever over time.

Based on you saying this is a 550 (straight), you are likely going to need a technical manual (TM1108) to diagnose the issue and make adjustments or repair. The Operator's Manual (OMT70877) touches on basic brake adjustment, it might solve your problem if lack of lever travel is being caused by a tight brake on that side.

If you don't have manuals, you can download and save a free copy of the Operator's Manual the JD Construction and Forestry Bookstore. Here is a link to the bookstore.

https://www.johndeeretechinfo.com/

On that homepage type 550 in the Model box and Crawler in the Search Term box, then click the search icon. It should bring up the manuals for a 550. To the left of the Operator's Manual title, you will see a yellow Download button. Click on that to download a free pdf copy to your computer or other device.

You can also preview the Technical Manual, TM1108, there and purchase if you chose. That one is not free. If you shop for one elsewhere TM1108 is the publication number to look for.

The parts catalog, PC1437, is free to use online at the JDparts.com website. Here is a link to it.

PC 1437 for JD550 Crawler

[rbp]

Thanks! I greatly appreciate your help.

[rbp]

Here is video for a JD450b adjustment on brakes. Is this guy correct?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE4dsHbLTE8

[Jim B]

The video that opens when I click your link is of a 450G, not a 450B. The B brake system most likely would not be like your 550, the 450G brakes should be similar. I can't say the guy is right or not, for your issues. You said the left stick has very little action. Does that mean it moves very little when pulled or does it mean it pulls all the way back to the seat and doesn't stop the left track? If you push against something solid and gently pull back on the left lever does the steering clutch disengage the left track in about the same lever travel distance as the right lever disengages the right track. If the steering clutch disengages with about the same lever travel on both sides but the left lever pulls back to the seat with little resistance, a brake adjustment may take care of your issue. Review the brake adjustment procedure in the operator's manual and compare it to the video, it may be ok.

[rbp]

When I pull the left stick back it barely moves the machine to the left. Sometimes it doesn't at all. Right stick works fine. Thanks.

[Jim B]

Try what I told you about pushing on something to check when/if the steering clutch disengages, then go from there.

[rbp]

My mechanic opened up the plug on left side and adjusted the gear both up and down and it didn't tightened up at all. We had the engine running.

[rbp]

I got copy of TM1108 for $16 (pdf). I have found the parts. Thanks.
https://www.heavy-equipmentmanual.com/p ... ual-tm1108