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1966 977 H

Mother Deuce

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2016
Messages
1,603
Location
New England
Saw this machine last week and as I have a soft spot for 977's I sought out the owner today and found him. It is a runner but has been sitting quite awhile and the steering is getting sticky... I can no more afford a 977 than I can take a hot lap around the moon and he about broke my heart when he offered to sell it to me.
977 1 small.jpg 977 3 small.jpg 977 5 small.jpg 977 6 small.jpg
 

Hank R

Senior Member
Joined
May 28, 2014
Messages
2,082
Location
Princeton B.C. Canada
Occupation
Retired Truck driver and School bus driver
The buying part is not to hard BUT the money it takes to get it like new and where does one store it. There used to be lots around BC some with log grapple , but have not seen one for years.
 

Mother Deuce

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2016
Messages
1,603
Location
New England
It is pedal steer and power shift and it is one of 3 he bought in 66. I haven’t seen it yet but it’s twin is at his house.
 

mudober

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2010
Messages
150
Location
So. IL.
Occupation
heavy equiptment operator
My Dad had a 1968 977H that was the first track loader i ran. I was 15 years old we used it on the farm to clear brush and dig /clean out ponds. Funny i was more interested in chasing girls then than operating equiptment.
 

Mother Deuce

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2016
Messages
1,603
Location
New England
I ran one of the manual clutch machines with clutch and brake steering loading a couple trucks... I was probably 20 or 21. The lasting memory of that machine was that to be efficient with it, you literally “ busier than” (insert your favorite “ busier then a” comparison here!)
 

DMiller

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
16,573
Location
Hermann, Missouri
Occupation
Cheap "old" Geezer
Have to laugh at that comment, renter on our place has a 955K, nice older machine very clean, well was feeding here and got stuck as frost cooked out. Called and asked if my Allis(parked under barn eave) was running, told him would bring the batteries and help out. Had them out in short order as the old AC busted right off with fresh batteries. He asked how hard to operate, had him take a seat and explained controls. He was a little mystified as to how with only two hands could run hand clutches, power shift and bucket while the three pedals as his third is a common brake not a decelerator, not heard of that either. Said if needed a drag would call me, would rather not try such a "Complicated" machine!! He is under 40, and Not EVER seen a stick shift tracked machine, be fun to watch him on an old 977H.
 

Tugger2

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2018
Messages
1,379
Location
British Columbia
The logging outfit i worked for in my younger years had a couple of 977 s . They were used heavily ,lots of walking to tow machines up steep hills and loading out of quarries into some old Euclids we had. They were the go to machine until we discovered wheel loaders and excavators which spelled the end for the 77 s .
 

DoyleX

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2013
Messages
571
Location
Minnesota
Occupation
Lever Puller, Gear Jammer, Pipe Twister
If you have some use for it and it will still do what its supposed to thats a lot of machine. If the steering clutches will not release stay away. Check the transmission filters. Dont want to buy a cross shaft project.

The IH is a disaster to operate. Open differential, 0 visibility, steering wheel steering. It is a prototype afterall.

upload_2019-4-12_6-52-8.png
 
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Mother Deuce

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2016
Messages
1,603
Location
New England
If you have some use for it and it will still do what its supposed to thats a lot of machine. If the steering clutches will not release stay away. Check the transmission filters. Dont want to buy a cross shaft project.

The IH is a disaster to operate. Open differential, 0 visibility, steering wheel steering. It is a prototype afterall.

View attachment 195265
He has already told me that their are sticking. Ran and steered well when parked 10 years later not so much. I would love to find a runner for HCEA events as I really enjoy them. The IH may not be a lot grins to run but it is looking fine!
 
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