Hi bought cat 312b at auction went to collect machine tracked 15feet then right hand track locked up. Have a feeling gears in final drive may be locked up.Have read lots of reports on final drive problems. Question 1 is how to find out if it is motor, or gearing.2 I was thinking of inspecting gearing from outside can the sun gear be removed to see if motor will then turn. Also if the gear was removed would the machine be towable by tractor cat helping out with its good track to enable recovery to workshop.Any suggestions appreciated ps no noises pre lockup
Pull the plugs on the final, they should have a magnet on them, if something failed then there will be metal on the magnet. Draining and catching the oil in a clean bucket also works. You can move the machine by lifting the dead side with the boom and travel with the other while swinging.
I don't think the final drive has planets in it. Think it might be a pair of hands with a crank in center and rollers around the outside. Later Bob
On the cover of the final drive you can pull the 16 bolts out, remove the cover. Then remove the washer in the center, 3 bolts holding plate on and remove plate. Pull the little gear (sun gear) out of the middle. Then put cover back on, if it came apart inside get out as much as you can before moving it. It don't happen to say "REGA" on the rear side doors?
Thanks for the replies exactly what I was thinking Chisumtrail. If I could get this machine loaded and home Id have no fears about tackling the repair. Machine ser 65W00298
Just to let you know i think it should be 6SW00298 and it is American not Japan. On that one the sun gear is right behind cover, no plate.
6SW298 was sold in England in 1999 and was still over there in 2010. If the final is locked up you need to either pull out the guts or move the machine without driving that side. If you pull the cover, it is a simple job to take it apart. Here is a parts pic of what it looks like. #4 is the sun gear/shaft and will isolate the track from the brakes so it will free wheel if it is not locked up.
All I meant by saying American, as you would not have to use the simiularity cross reference.
Thanks Guys Having browesed forum it seems my problem could be due to several things motor gears or brakes. I guess the easiest thing is to check gears first? would anybody be able to enlighten me as to how the brakes work. as i drove the machine back and forth before the auction and it locked up on collection when I attempted a turn might this suggest a brake problem?