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John Deere 450C

Claus

Active Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2013
Messages
41
Location
Hebron In
looks like your welder knows his trade. However, the proof is fit-up to the tractor!

Well I got it on. I need to go get the right bolts tomorrow but it ain't falling off tonight! Matt, my welder did an excellent job, all he had to go on was a cracked up ROPS and my best, half assed measurements.
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Claus

Active Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2013
Messages
41
Location
Hebron In
Why didn't you sand it and paint it before putting it on?

Had to do a test fit before spending money on sandblasting and paint that might have been a waste.

I had never seen the ROPS on the tractor before and it measured a little bit tweaked.
 

check

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2012
Messages
800
Location
in the mail
You could also wipe down the rusty areas with Ospho and then prime and paint it with a Harbor Freight HVLP gun, or hand brush for that matter.
 

Willie B

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2016
Messages
4,039
Location
Mount Tabor VT
Occupation
Electrician
Check the front crossmember. These tractors were troubled by broken bolts attaching crossmember to the track frame. Lazy people would then weld. The bolts would allow a bit of flex. Weld doesn't. When the crossmember breaks, it puts undue strain on the transmission housing. The cast iron is then difficult to weld reliably. I'd avoid buying a repaired transmission tractor. Replacement transmission housings are scarce, and a big job to change out.

I was ready to write a check for one when I discovered new paint on the transmission housing, Sure enough, the seller had welded it up still in the tractor, guts still in it. I thanked him for his trouble, but passed on the purchase.

Willie
 

Claus

Active Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2013
Messages
41
Location
Hebron In
Check the front crossmember. These tractors were troubled by broken bolts attaching crossmember to the track frame. Lazy people would then weld. The bolts would allow a bit of flex. Weld doesn't. When the crossmember breaks, it puts undue strain on the transmission housing. The cast iron is then difficult to weld reliably. I'd avoid buying a repaired transmission tractor. Replacement transmission housings are scarce, and a big job to change out.

I was ready to write a check for one when I discovered new paint on the transmission housing, Sure enough, the seller had welded it up still in the tractor, guts still in it. I thanked him for his trouble, but passed on the purchase.

Willie


Interesting. My Dad told me years ago at the company He worked, they had several Deere loaders and dozers, they had several backhoes in the line and when they needed one they would just hook it too which ever 450 they were taking. He told all or most of them had a broken Fram, if I remember right he said just ahead of the right side final drive. The weight of the backhoe was too much for the tractors.

Anyways, not sure exactly where you are saying they crack but I don't see any cracks or welds on mine.
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Willie B

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2016
Messages
4,039
Location
Mount Tabor VT
Occupation
Electrician
If I were you I'd talk to Mark Courchaine in Johnson VT. He's the final authority of knowledge where these tractors are concerned. Your crossmember looks very different from the one I passed on. Maybe the loaders had a different crossmember. As he explained it, the two bolts (yours has six) would break, half assed mechanics would weld instead of getting the bolts out. It caused the crossmember to eventually break, leaving the front of the tractor hanging off the transmission. Says broken transmissions are common in them.
 

redneckracin

Senior Member
Joined
May 19, 2010
Messages
574
Location
Western PA
Occupation
Civil Engineer
Looks like the same cross member in the 550 dozer to me. Looks like all the bolts are thereas well.
 
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