Advice on 350B (new to me)

[Marcd]

Ok, so I now have a 350B loader (diesel) sitting in my yard. I bought it from a friend's father in law that retired quite a while ago. The machine had been sitting under a tarp for 20-25 years (20 years being the minimum guess from the family members - the father in law has alzheimers and thinks he was using it last year). The good news is that it actually rolled on its tracks as we winched it up onto a flatbed (on the coldest day of the year, right after a snow storm, of course). It looks to be in pretty good shape. After cleaning out several mouse nests and pulling the batteries out (cracked and leaking), I am ready to start working on it. Any advice on 'gotchas' would be most appreciated. I do have one question. The tools are missing. The manual (I did buy them) shows a support rod for the bucket for gaining access to the engine. I am unable to find any information on this. What does it look like and how does it attach? (dimensions and/or pictures would be great) I can probably make one if I know what it's supposed to look like - otherwise I will use blocking to hold up the bucket arms. Thank you.

[Scottyb]

That 350b has sat for a long while! I hope the steering clutches are not seized. Lots of things to consider. Take off the head, as the chances of having ridges on the sleeves is high and the head is an easy job. Change the rad hoses, check the water pump for smooth turning with no play when the belt is off. Water pump is an easy rebuild if you have a press. I would take the starter apart and clean/service it. Check to see if the hydraulic pump disconnect at the front lower pully of the engine is all rusted together, you can start it like that but, you cant change a fan belt easily unless it is working. Obviously filters for oil, reverser, fuel, hydraulics, check the fuel tank for water crud etc. The return line from the injectors needs to be clear. The reverser has some short pieces of hose left of the clutch pedal (actually no clutch, the pedal is to the reverser where it goes to neutral when pedal is pushed). There is also two smaller lengths of hose on the bottom of the rad for the cooling lines for the reverser that could be old and cracked as well. You could pressure up the engine oil before starting, as some members here have discussed (check Jason's posts). There is also a pump and filter for the power assist steering on the right front of the engine that might need service and some short lengths of hose. .....The supports for the rams are simply 3 sided channel iron that fit over the rams when extended with some short chains to keep them securely over the rams, then let the bucket down slowly to hold them in tight. Use large enough channel so they do not hurt the seal on the ram. There is more I am sure. I started a 350 that sat for half as long, the air filter as well as the engine and muffler was full of Canola seed (mice) and was in need of a head removal and starter service as well . (there is a video in my posts somewhere of getting it started. high five) It is a great feeling to bring one back to life. All the best!
Post some photos if you can....

Scott

[77 Ford]

I used 4" angle iron about 2' long if I remember right, it does not hold the arms at the absolute highest point but it's pretty close. I also have an additional piece of 4" I put thru the arms when I need to pull the loader nose. I hook a come a long to it and then thru the hole that opens for the radiator fill cap.

If you need a picture of the loader arm locks I can probably take one later, there used to be one on the site but it appears to be caught up in the "purge".

Good luck and welcome to the site.

[Marcd]

Thanks for the replies - Sorry for the late reply - I was tied up with work. I am going to make two supports out of 4" angle iron. Just to be sure, I got a 2 ton tall stand to put under the cross member of the loader arms. (over-developed sense of self-preservation, I guess). Still trying to figure out how to post a picture. Looks like it has to be posted eslewhere with a link. I'll try this:

[77 Ford]

Pretty good looking machine and it's backed up to the back door for a quick get a way! Good thinking.