Hey everybody, this is my first time posting I’m 63 years old and have own Equipment most of my life. I have done hundreds of searches on this site and it’s awesome thanks in advance for any help that I might receive and if I can help anybody out with an opinion or something that happened to me I will try thanks . I have 450 Deer Bulldozer that I’ve owned for about three months. It’s been a great little machine but right after I bought it a hydraulic oil leak on the left rear axle leaking fluid onto the left rear track. It would get slow to move as it would get low on fluid yesterday with a full crank case it stopped moving 100% no matter what we tried. I haven’t checked the hydraulic filters yet. I was just wondering if anybody has experience with this machine could maybe point me in the right direction thanks everybody in advance and happy new year Ralph.
Welcome to HEF Ralph . I suspect the splines on the engine clutch disk and or the transmission input shaft are stripped. Install a 200- 300 psi guage at the 1/8 NPT pipe plug under the drum plug. At 1800 rpm,Normal transmission pump pressure with clutch pedal up and in neutral,forward or reverse is 165-180 psi. See screenshot below showing drum plug location. .
I appreciate the information. I will certainly do that. I have some fittings laying around. What would you recommend as far as hose with high pressure hydraulic line for pressure set up?
OK, I’ll see. I can just do a pressure gauge with a hardline set up.
OK, if the pressure is lower than that or higher than that, what’s the diagnosis?
If my stripped splines theory is correct the pressure will be zero or damn near zero
Appreciate it I’ll post back soon
In the picture Diesel Dave sent you rubber plug number 2 on right side there also is a plug on left side of clutch housing. Remove that plug and check the position of the jam nut on the adjustment stud. Also take a flashlight and check for oil in the clutch housing. I have seen the clutch disk get saturated with oil and cause slippage or no movement also.
I appreciate that. I’m going over there today because the machine is on another property that I own. The machine has always started really nice even when cold for down here low 20s Almost bought a pressure test kit the other day, but I’m going to see what I actually need to set up a gauge for that, but I will look at that nut nuts off that means it can’t engage correct? I did start up cold a couple days ago when we put it in here it would move about an inch forward and then about an inch in reverse so it’s getting some pressure it would seem
I meant to say when I put it in gear
I appreciate that. I certainly will do that. We put it in gear the other day and it barely bumped forward maybe an inch and then bumped rearward about an inch. We’re going over today because it said another piece of land not where I live and I will try that take some pictures and then I’ll post back. Thanks guys.
The locknut adjustment is used to set the pressure for the HLR clutch packs. I have seen many of those adjustment nuts lose their tension especially if there have been adjusted several times. They tend to back off and lower the operating pressure for the clutch packs. The nut takes a 1/2-inch socket deep well if the nut turns freely by hand, it has lost its locking ability. You will need a new lock nut and go thru the adjustment procedure in tech manual to obtain correct pressure.
This is the first time I’ve looked at the top of a bulldozer. I seen a plug between the left and right levers. I don’t know what y’all are calling the drum so I took some pictures if I’m in the wrong area please let me know. Something crazy happened, though I push the clutch in put it in gear and let it out and the dozer moved so I ran it for about 20 minutes. It worked as good as it has. but just starting it up and putting it in gear it wouldn’t move unless I push the clutch in but after I push the clutch in and let it out, it started working normally
The pictures are directly under the seat where I put in the hydraulic fluid
Is there a chance that the clutch was stuck in or depressed possibly clutch plates got hot my son was using the clutch a lot to drive the bulldozer and I told him that you don’t need to clutch to drive it not like you do a tractor
Sounds like you have clutch pedal linkage binding on dirt or debris or frozen pin at pivot points. Clean area around linkage and spray with penetrating oil. All pins should move freely no binding. The plug you are looking for is the same plug that goes in a 55 gallon drum or at least looks the same. You will see in the center of transmission cover more toward front third of cover. Not near the small cover where steering clutch spool's are. Also you should hear the clutch pedal hit its stop, there may be debris not letting it return all the way. Pull up on pedal by hand and see if it feel like a solid stop not spongy.
When dozer won’t move hang your foot under the clutch pedal pull up on pedal see if dozer starts to move.
Let us know how much free travel you have on your clutch pedal please.
Sorry I missed your post 17 about your son using the clutch. At this point you need to locate the plug in top cover remove it there will be an 1/8 inch pipe plug you will need to remove. The plug takes a 3/16 Allen socket make sure your socket has no rounded edges if someone has over tightened the plug it can easily be stripped tap the socket into the plug to make sure it is seated good. You will need a good 300 psi gauge and a hose or fittings to connect to test port. Look for around 180 psi of pressure.
I really appreciate the info guys lifesavers
I’ll post video of pins and linkages thnx
The drum plug is in the top cover closest to the engine. Revisit post #2
thanks, Dave. I think I saw that plug. Is it a square plug? I’m going to pressure wash the entire dozer and replace all the fluids and do a good maintenance on it. Supposedly it was done not too long ago but I really need this machine to be 100%.
Your test port will be under plug number 13.
I absolutely will when I get back over there. Thanks a bunch.
I can’t figure out how to post a video but the pressure at idle is about 130 when I rev it up to 1800 RPM the highest it gets is 155 when I put it in reverse it drops to 30 and then slowly climbs up to 150 or less it drops to 30 to 50 psi when I go from forward to reverse or reverse to forward now that I have a gauge when it stops moving at all, I’ll be able to post what the pressures are Any ideas guys thanks
So I did the penny thing under the spring. I cleaned it up real good. It already had one penny in there. The pressure went from 120 to 1:50 to 150 to 170. It’s working almost normally now.
My guess is I probably have some pump work coming up or something even more expensive
It’s not possible to post videos here. Up load the video to utube or similiar and post the link. Was the oil temperature cold or warm at the above pressure ?
Sounds like the HLR Clutch needs to be adjusted. I would perform that first to see if that resolves your issue. Check your messages.
Diesel Dave has you on the right track. Make sure the area around clutch pedal and linkage is free no mud or debris build up. Make sure self locking nut feels like it still has good locking ability. Also take a good flashlight and look in clutch housing after rubber plug is removed check for oil in housing should be dry. When shifting forward to reverse how many seconds does it take to make the shift. Be sure to make the adjustments with unit warmed up.
Thnx guys, I don’t know the temps? Possibly 2 to 5 seconds to respond seems to have a lot more pushing power, pressures never got above 175
I will definitely check adjustments on clutch thnx
If the HLR clutch adjustment is out of spec it will lower your pressure. I see where you added a shim to regulating valve spring, after HLR adjustment you may find pressure to high if all else is in good working order.
Thanks, Steve. Il definitely not run it until I know the pressures are where they need to be.