JD 450C Hydraulic Leaks - Purchase Pending – Pics – Advice Needed Getting ready to make an offer on a JD 450C Track Loader, so hopefully get some quick responses. Current owner said that fluid was low and that was why the noise when lifting bucket to full height. It does seem to drive and steer OK. Has some hydraulic leaks – see pics – and I’m not sure of the WORST possible source. Compartment around controls looks like fluid has been spraying around in there. And looks like some leaks in lines under seat. What other leaks could be causing fluid to run this low and that would make sense of the pics? Also, does the oil pressure gauge on these refer to hydraulics or engine? It showed zero pressure, but gauge might not be working.
The top pic you have is oil coming out the overflow - its right next to that cap. Someone has OVERFILLED the machine, its not low. When that oil blows out of there, it is possible for the oil to run down in all areas depicted in the other photos. Now - make sure that the green wire is connected to the oil pressure sender which is located at the top/rear/starboard (I refuse to say "passenger" side, sorry - that's too yuppy for me) side of the engine. The sender is located at the top port of a tee which bisects the oil pressure line between main crank gallery and top of turbocharger.
Thanks for the info. The loader had been sitting unused for 3 to 4 months. What would cause the sputtering sound while the bucket was being raised to top position? Could fluid level be low at this time (from slowly leaking out) and just overflowed in the past? Should the engine oil pressure be up after just a couple minutes of running?
In my book the 450c's were famous for all kinds of leaks in the hydraulics. Real bad with the pipes that feed the pump from the reservoir. It consists of about four (4) pieces of pipe run through the frame. A real b---- to get at if you have to tighten or replace. Famous for the supports coming loose too. The oil pressure gauge or sender could be bad. Pressure should come in just a few seconds, not a couple of minutes. I would stay away from the machine in general. Oh ya, one more place to watch for a leak at. If the axle seal goes out there will be a leak between the final drive house and steering clutch housing. Real nightmare to figure if you don't know what you are looking for. To change this one you must split the tracks, drop the counterweight, drop the skid pan, pull the final drive. Real b---- of a job.
Besides the leaks, this machines had past vandalism. And worse, neither the owner nor the various operators seamed to be responsible for the engine maintenance. The owner wouldn't lower the price, so I decided to pass. Thanks very much for the warnings.