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how to identify john deere crawler track loader

LowBoy

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2006
Messages
1,149
Location
Southern Vt. on the Mass./NH borders
Occupation
Owner, Iron Mountain Iron & Equipment (Transport)
So, to get up to speed on my JD 450 skid shovel, I "finally" got to fixing the bad hydraulic leak that would blow 5 gallons of oil out in 75 feet of traveling. It was a bear, but I found a blown piece of rubber line where it transitions from hard piping from the pump, at the transmission where it goes to a fitting was blown. Pulled the nose off, pulled both steel lines out, replaced the rubber pieces and she's now leak-free everywhere. While in there I replaced the positive battery cable too, cuz it was looking tender.

This machine is so nice for it's age, I hate to get rid of it. It's virtually new, never had a hard life. The only issue I have now is, the right side steering clutch is gone. Steers fine to the left, but right isn't doing anything.

From what I gather, doing a steering clutch in a 450 is worse than a root canal...have to pull track frame, rock guards, on and on. 350's I've seen guys cut the track frame off and weld it back on later, but not the case with the 450 unfortunately.

Anybody have any "positive", good news about doing this job, or am I just going to have to prepare myself for the inevitable?JD450 ##11.jpg JD450 ##15.jpg JD450 ##17.jpg JD450 #1.jpg
 

old-iron-habit

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
4,233
Location
Moose Lake, MN
Occupation
Retired Cons't. Supt./Hospitals
So, to get up to speed on my JD 450 skid shovel, I "finally" got to fixing the bad hydraulic leak that would blow 5 gallons of oil out in 75 feet of traveling. It was a bear, but I found a blown piece of rubber line where it transitions from hard piping from the pump, at the transmission where it goes to a fitting was blown. Pulled the nose off, pulled both steel lines out, replaced the rubber pieces and she's now leak-free everywhere. While in there I replaced the positive battery cable too, cuz it was looking tender.

This machine is so nice for it's age, I hate to get rid of it. It's virtually new, never had a hard life. The only issue I have now is, the right side steering clutch is gone. Steers fine to the left, but right isn't doing anything.

From what I gather, doing a steering clutch in a 450 is worse than a root canal...have to pull track frame, rock guards, on and on. 350's I've seen guys cut the track frame off and weld it back on later, but not the case with the 450 unfortunately.

Anybody have any "positive", good news about doing this job, or am I just going to have to prepare myself for the inevitable?View attachment 199391 View attachment 199392 View attachment 199393 View attachment 199394


Are your steering brakes on the steering clutches handles. The John Deere crawlers can have all kinds of steering clutch/brakes issues if they are not adjusted in sequence exactly by the book. Folks try adjusting the linkages and mess them up all the time. I bought a 455D with clutch issues for a very fair price a number of years ago. A half a day with the repair manual and adjusted the brakes, steering clutches and power shift/main clutch to what they should have been and it worked fine for the number of years I had it until I traded for other toys. I would try that first.
 

LowBoy

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2006
Messages
1,149
Location
Southern Vt. on the Mass./NH borders
Occupation
Owner, Iron Mountain Iron & Equipment (Transport)
Geez that unit is "sparklely"! LOL! I will meet you at the Red Arrow in Milford and show you where to deliver it! :D


That can happen easily enough...if you want it to, LOL.
But first, I think I'm going to try adjusting it. I have the manuals here to go by, and a lifeline in NH that does these with their eyes closed if I need more info than the book provides.
 

Mother Deuce

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2016
Messages
1,603
Location
New England
That is most like the best services traded deal I have seen recently. Finding those machines in that condition is exceedingly difficult now. Good luck with the clutch! I would keep and screw the mailbox to it if nothing else!
 

LowBoy

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2006
Messages
1,149
Location
Southern Vt. on the Mass./NH borders
Occupation
Owner, Iron Mountain Iron & Equipment (Transport)
I just solved the decision-making process on this 450, as to whether or not to invest into the steering clutch job. Ended up selling it to an enthusiast that needed it worse than I do, and all I have to do is deliver it to Pennsylvania to the guy that's gonna do the work on it. Hate to see it go because of it's uniquely excellent condition given it's age...but in reality I don't necessarily need it around here anyway. Going to a good home too...
On to the next one.
 

old-iron-habit

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
4,233
Location
Moose Lake, MN
Occupation
Retired Cons't. Supt./Hospitals
I just solved the decision-making process on this 450, as to whether or not to invest into the steering clutch job. Ended up selling it to an enthusiast that needed it worse than I do, and all I have to do is deliver it to Pennsylvania to the guy that's gonna do the work on it. Hate to see it go because of it's uniquely excellent condition given it's age...but in reality I don't necessarily need it around here anyway. Going to a good home too...
On to the next one.

Please let them know about HEF, if they don't, so they can post and let us know what they find in the clutch issue.
 
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