Tech tip: how to lift, get under crawler

[scottmi]

Have not had to do this...yet. But am thinking about what I might do to get my JD40C off the ground a bit to facilitate access underneath, as well as make it easier to work on roller grease fitting, etc. How have you raised your tractor? considering rolling up onto wide square beams.. or if jacking, what jack points to use? where place jack stands, and how many and how heavy-duty? Any pictures appreciated too. Thanks!

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

Most maintenance under, like getting to drain plugs, the inner track adjusters, etc I just safety chain the blade to the top of the grille guard and slide under on a large piece of cardboard (fridge box side).

Jacking, I use a large bottle jack on the crossmembers. Blocks I make from tree trunks, also under the crossmembers.

This works well on both the 420c and JD350.

Roller grease fittings were changed, long ago, to zerks to make it easier. The downside is if others come along and then use the wrong grease because it now has a common fitting and not the button one which helps keep the wrong gun from being used. Not an issue for me, but could be for other folks.

Stan

[mapaduke@yahoo.com]

I drive up on a couple 6x6s still a little tight but makes changing oil easier.

[Paul Buhler]

I use blocks of fire wood. Back up onto two, put a block under the blade then lift the front of the machine, slide in two more blocks under the front of the tracks and let the crawler down onto the four pieces now under the tracks. Move the blade block out of the way. Solid, safe, fast and cheap.

If I need to have the tracks free to spin, I use a trick shared on this site: Back onto blocks to lift the rear then block under the final pans. Lift the front using a block under the blade enough to shift the load to the pans and remove the blocks under the tracks. Lift high enough for the tracks to spin then put solid supports under the front cross bar and lower the machine so that it feels solid. I don't expect the hydraulics to hold the machine so I always have the machine on solid blocking or supports. Concrete blocks or bricks should not be used since they can fail catastrophically.

[Lavoy]

Railroad ties work well if you can find some. Same concept as 6 X 6, just a little taller, more room for fat guys like me.
Lavoy

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

Tain't fat. It is Left Side Weight for oval track racers. Since these old machines are also offset left, that fits perfectly!

Stan

[Paul Buhler]

My blocks of firewood have gotten bigger in diameter over the years.