JD 350B Steering issues - Newbie

tmlkenney · Post by **tmlkenney** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:10 am

Hello, all. I just took delivery of a new-to-me jd350B crawler circa 1981. Steering prior to delivery was fine, but in the last week, it'll run and steer fine for about 5 minutes after startup, but then left steering will gradually bleed off until I can't steer left. Right steer works fine. Thinking hydraulics, but thought I'd ask some experts. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Tim

Tigerhaze · Post by **Tigerhaze** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 12:44 pm

I thought the 350Bs were "dry" clutch steering and also in the early 70s, not 80s? I guess it could be a late serial number 350B though- I think some of them were "wet" clutch steering. I'm sure Digitup or others will be able to give you some ideas when they see this.

BTW, welcome to the board!

tmlkenney · Post by **tmlkenney** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:33 pm

Correction. Typo on date. 1972.

mini kahuna · Post by **mini kahuna** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 3:29 pm

I believe they are dry clutch machines too,not sure when they went to wet clutch system,Digitup will know when.
if it is indeed a dry clutch,slipping or not steering after warming up is a classic syptom of oil contamination of fiber discs and brake band,you'll have to rebuild the clutch and find the source of the oil leak.
the wet clutch systems has it's own problems,again Digitup is your man for those buggers.

tmlkenney · Post by **tmlkenney** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 3:38 pm

It is a dry clutch. Sounds like a clutch rebuild is in the offing. I appreciate the help. Tim

digitup · Post by **digitup** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:46 pm

Do not tear it down just yet the 350-350B as well as 450 and 450Bs were known for clutch fade.They would get warmer and start to fade.Set the clutches up and make sure that the brakes are set up right as well .We set those @&%$ things up every week when we only had them to work with .When the oil clutches came out I was darned glad for them .At that point I could set dry clutches in the dark and some times did .On the 450 and 450B we also put grease fittings on the steering leavers right at the pin and greased them often.This made a big difference if you ran them all day or even if just occasional use. This way they did not bind up .Digitup.

tmlkenney · Post by **tmlkenney** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:15 am

Thanks, Digitup. I'll give that a try first. It would certainly be alot easier than the alternative. Tim

digitup · Post by **digitup** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 5:53 pm

Not like the older models the 350-450 series had a fair bit of setup on the clutches .But like the older Deeres when you set up the clutch you you also need to advance the brakes just a bit good luck .Digitup.

Tony K. · Post by **Tony K.** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:48 am

I did the clutch setup that was listed in the operators manual. It seemed to work after that and I actually took the machine out and did some work with it for about 2 hrs. On the way back to the house the left steering started going away and by the time I parked it the steering was almost back to where it was before. Any ideas? It was working perhaps just a bit more on the brake?

digitup · Post by **digitup** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:08 am

keep adjusting a bit more if you can when adjustment is maxed plan on the big adjustment .Digitup.

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JD 350B Steering issues - Newbie

JD 350B Steering issues - Newbie

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