Best tool for the job

[DozerAndy]

Looks like I’m going to have purchase or rent a gear puller for pulling final drive and pinion gears. Looking through northern tool, there doesn’t seem to be anything similar to that shown in the Deere Manual. Does anyone have a recommendation for a gear puller for pulling final drive gears and pinion gears in the 420 and 440 crawlers?

[Lavoy]

The bull gear requires a "T" bar puller, and you push the axle out of the bull gear.
As far as pinion gear, I have never needed one, but I have had to cut the outer bearing off or heat it up to get it off.
Lavoy

[DozerAndy]

Thanks Lavoy. Since I will probably end up pulling at least 4 in the next year or two (both crawlers), would it be cheaper to rent or buy? Does anyone have a favorite brand that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

[Lavoy]

I don't think the puller I bought was that expensive, but I don't remember for sure.
Lavoy

[Stretch]

OTC makes about the best pullers I've seen, and I believe they make them for everyone else.
Stretch

[emmett]

On my 420C final drive...

I got my pinion gear off with a hammer and punch. I disconnect the final drive housing from the transmission housing. Remove the cover from the final drive shaft. Remove the c-clip (ring) from the end of the drive shaft (next to the pinion gear outer bearing). Then I put a punch in the shaft-end indent and smack it with my 40 ounce ball-peen. Bearing pops right off.

Bull gear is the same story. Except I took the oil pan off the main housing. Took 3 c-clamps and clamped the bull gear against the housing. 2 clamps on either end of the oilpan gasket surface. 1 clamp thru the pinion gear hole.
Smacked the flanged axle end and the bull gear gave way as the axle pushed out. It was so easy I figure I don't need the c-clamps next time. (I was kinda worried that I would crack the cast housing, but it was OK.)

I would have rented a gear puller for the bull gear, but somebody welded the access plug to the bull gear's tapped holes in a previous repair to the housing. Now that I know the bull gear comes off so easily, I'll probably use the hammer & punch technique from here on.

Emmett

[DozerAndy]

Thanks for all the good info. I'm going to need a new pinion gear. Luckily, I do have a spare bull gear ($$$).