jd 350 steering clutch adjustment

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ssmitto8
MC crawler
MC crawler
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jd 350 steering clutch adjustment

Post by ssmitto8 » Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:28 pm

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to adjust the steering clutches on a 350 with out taking it all apart? (is there an inspection plate, etc.) Thanks :roll:

KenP
350 crawler
350 crawler
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Post by KenP » Tue Jun 02, 2009 3:56 am

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Smiley
40C crawler
40C crawler
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Post by Smiley » Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:38 pm

Did you first check to see if you have the separate hydraulic assist line before adjusting steering clutches? I did that only to find it half full of sludge and the other half empty. i cleaned it out and refilled and mine is running much better without having to get into the steering clutches.

mokyj
40C crawler
40C crawler
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Post by mokyj » Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:34 am

Smiley wrote:Did you first check to see if you have the separate hydraulic assist line before adjusting steering clutches? I did that only to find it half full of sludge and the other half empty. i cleaned it out and refilled and mine is running much better without having to get into the steering clutches.
THey have them on a 350C? if so, where would they (hydraulic assist line)be located? I don't recall seeing that in the service manual
Mike Joyner
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Tigerhaze
350 crawler
350 crawler
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Location: West-Central MO

Post by Tigerhaze » Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:36 am

mokyj wrote:
Smiley wrote:Did you first check to see if you have the separate hydraulic assist line before adjusting steering clutches? I did that only to find it half full of sludge and the other half empty. i cleaned it out and refilled and mine is running much better without having to get into the steering clutches.
THey have them on a 350C? if so, where would they (hydraulic assist line)be located? I don't recall seeing that in the service manual
My understanding is the hydraulic assist is on the 350 and 350B crawlers, which still had primarily mechanical steering clutches. The 350Cs and newer crawlers use fully hydraulic steering clutches.
(1) JD Straight 450 crawler dozer with manual outside blade; (2) JD 2010 diesel crawler loaders; (1) JD 2010 diesel dozer with hydraulic 6-way blade; (2) Model 50 backhoe attachments, misc. other construction equipment

jdemaris

Post by jdemaris » Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:10 pm

mokyj wrote: THey have them on a 350C? if so, where would they (hydraulic assist line)be located? I don't recall seeing that in the service manual
350C is totally different. It not only has hydraulically powered wet steering clutches, it also has wet, self-adjusting brake-bands.

jdemaris

Re: jd 350 steering clutch adjustment

Post by jdemaris » Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:21 pm

ssmitto8 wrote:Can anyone tell me if it is possible to adjust the steering clutches on a 350 with out taking it all apart? (is there an inspection plate, etc.) Thanks :roll:
As long as you follow certain fundementals, the adjustments are not very critical.

1st - hold your foot down hard on the brake pedal and then see if you can move both steering levers back and forth freely. If not, you have to get the linkage unstuck first.

2nd - make sure the clutchs have free-play. I.e., make sure the clutch pressure-plate fingers are not riding against the throwout bearings when the steering levers are at rest. There must be some play, and there should not be excessive play. Anywhere inbetween can work fine.

3rd - make sure the brake band has the proper "initial" size adjustment that is independent of any linkage. It has a hex on top that takes a 3/4" wrench. Turn it until snug, and then back off aprox. 1/2 turn and let it snap into place (it has cams on it). That is for a used brake-bank. With a new one, back off one full turn.

4th - get your linkage adjusted so the clutch disengages just before the brake grabs. When correct, you can do this. Point the crawler up a hill. Put the trans in 2nd gear, and reverser in forward (if you have one). Let go of both steering levers and start climbing the hill. Then, gradually pull back on both levers. If all is correct, there should be a point when the crawler starts to roll backwards (not just stop). Pull back just a bit more and it should stop due to the braking. If it won't have a point where it can roll, the brakes are probably engaging too soon in relation to the clutch adjustment.

KenP
350 crawler
350 crawler
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Post by KenP » Sat Aug 01, 2009 3:59 am

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jdemaris

Post by jdemaris » Sat Aug 01, 2009 7:19 am

KenP wrote:John,
After reading your note, I went out and "tested" my 350 by pushing down on the brake pedal hard and checking the steering levers.
My left lever moves normally, but the right one "drags" when I do this. I looked quickly at the linkages I could see under the seat, but nothing apparent.
Where do they stick? Is it inside the clutch housing? Best way to free it up?
Inside the clutch housing, pretty much on top. Pretty easy to get to, but not so easy to fix. A shaft goes through a cast-iron arm. One is for brakes and one is for clutch. The shaft gets rusted and stuck to that cast iron arm around it. Sometimes, if you heat it until it's orange with a torch, and work it back and forth, it might come loose. Then try to get some oil in there. When I was fixing these things out in the field - sometimes I'd take a cutting torch and cut a groove right through the cast-iron arm (on top) down to where the shaft is, inside of it. Then you've got a hole to drop some oil in.

KenP
350 crawler
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Post by KenP » Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:17 pm

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