350B steering clutches

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1968camaor
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350B steering clutches

Post by 1968camaor » Sat May 16, 2020 1:21 pm

Forgive my lack of knowledge on this subject but I can’t seem to get the steering clutches adjusted properly. I’ve fallowed the steps in the manual And watched a good YouTube video. They were adjustEd before I bought it due to the left side clutches being replaced. When I got it home and started using it I lost most steering on the left side so I adjusted them again to the manual and while using it again today after awhile I could tell the steering on both sides was starting to get hard to steer again. I went through the process again and it just doesn’t seem as snappy as it should. I feel that I have to really pull back on the levers to get it to turn. If I pull all the way back on the levers the machine does stop and is not trying to steer left or right while holding the levers back.

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shinnery
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Re: 350B steering clutches

Post by shinnery » Sat May 16, 2020 8:50 pm

Just remember what you are trying to achieve is for the steering clutches to disconnect the drive to the final before the brake starts being applied. With the lever part way back you want the clutch to be off and then further back the brake start being applied.
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1968camaor
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Re: 350B steering clutches

Post by 1968camaor » Sun May 17, 2020 10:09 am

I can’t understand why it started out good but as I worked the machine the steering got less and I had just
Adjusted it a week prior. I’m not sure how often you have to adjust but that was the first time I used it since adjusting it

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Re: 350B steering clutches

Post by Jim B » Sun May 17, 2020 10:26 am

Does yours have the hydraulic steering boosters? How is the fluid level if it does?

1968camaor
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Re: 350B steering clutches

Post by 1968camaor » Sun May 17, 2020 11:43 am

The reservoir under the hood is full

Jim B
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Re: 350B steering clutches

Post by Jim B » Mon May 18, 2020 4:28 pm

It should not need adjusting that often. Go over the adjustments again, something might have slipped. Make sure everything is free. Do all the adjustments in order. Are your steering clutch compartments dry and clean or rusty? I'm thinking you have dry not wet steering clutches.

1968camaor
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Re: 350B steering clutches

Post by 1968camaor » Tue May 19, 2020 8:26 am

Yes I have dry clutches. The compartments seam clean to me. Couple spots of rust but nothing terrible. I will try working it hard again once I use the machine again. I was driving if after I adjusted everything with the covers off and was checking the compartments and did notice a little smoke coming out of them.

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LeonardL
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Re: 350B steering clutches

Post by LeonardL » Tue May 19, 2020 8:57 am

Was what you saw for sure smoke and not steam? It sounds a little like moisture to me. But if if you are sure it was smoke then most likely your brakes are way too tight. If the bands are adjusted too tightly they will do what you describe. They glaze over and won't function as they should. Do your adjustments in sequence as the book shows you. Make sure you have the brake band adjusted so the drum can still turn when it releases. These brake bands on these 350's are easy to get too tight. It's better to have them a little loose than too tight. Also I would like to see a link to this YouTube video you mentioned. Just curious what they were showing.

These dry clutch systems are very prone to get moisture from condensation. This then causes hard steering and lack of brake action. Usually however it also will have an affect on the clutches as well. They will slip and not pull.
40 plus years working on JD 350s, 400Gs, 450s and other equipment both Ag and Construction.

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Re: 350B steering clutches

Post by Lavoy » Tue May 19, 2020 9:12 am

Yeah, something is definitely up, no reason to adjust that often. I would assume hundred or hundreds of hours between adjustments. Something is wrong in the clutches, or going wrong in the clutches.
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1968camaor
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Re: 350B steering clutches

Post by 1968camaor » Tue May 19, 2020 10:21 am

It very well could of been steam. I have adjusted them again just waiting to actually work it hard again and see if it’s any better. The term snug on the break band bolt might be miss leading. I can try backing off that a full turn and see if it makes any difference. If you google John Deere 350 clutch and break adjustment there is a video that a guy made of him adjusting everything.

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LeonardL
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Re: 350B steering clutches

Post by LeonardL » Wed May 20, 2020 8:36 am

Make sure the brake adjusting bolt is falling back into its detent after the adjustment. A lot of brake problems are caused from the adjusting bolt being left on its shoulders. Also I would only back the bolt off a half turn at a time. Other wise you will need to do the sequence all over again. One thing affects the other so you can't just back one or the other off without it causing an issue with something else. I wouldn't go any more than one full turn or you will need to adjust the other linkage. You can pull the machine on a hill to see if it will roll back on its own when you push the clutch pedal down. Make sure it is rolling free and the brakes aren't binding it up. You can do this forward or backward.

I'm with Lavoy on this as well. I'm afraid you may have an issue that you won't find until you get back inside to see what is going on. Either clutches or linkage or something is not doing what it should.
40 plus years working on JD 350s, 400Gs, 450s and other equipment both Ag and Construction.

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