first time running one like this. Should i just pull clutch back hard and fast or slowly pull it back till it locks in place ? its on loan to me so i want to take good care of it and go easy on her. any tips?
Operate the clutch lever the same as you would as if it's a foot pedal. Going slow causes wear, going fast you get a sore neck
As a bit of extra info, the last of the direct drive dozers Caterpillar made, in D6H and D7H. They had foot clutches.
i ran a d5 dozer for years after a few broke shafts, i left clutch to where it would take care of them, it was oil clutch. worker real well still had more power than power shift. and why my arms drag the ground now years later. and also d7 and 6b9u well told my age again.
It sounds to me like you are talking about what is generally known as the master clutch. That control is generally operated like a foot clutch on a car or truck. Snapping it in will cause shock loads on the drive train. You wouldn't slip your foot off the clutch in a big truck would you? The snapping clutch engagement procedure was used for winch controls that you would have for an old wire rope machine. Those were dry clutch packs not meant for slipping.
Ok thank you guys very much for the insight. This is a very very old dozer but It’s in immaculate condition I am worried about causing too much wear or scratching it before I give it back. heck all the glass In it is good and it has air-conditioning but it might need to be topped off a little. just not sure if it’s R13 or different no tag.
if my mind is not failing me i think you are supposed to have 50 pound of pull on clutch lever to lock in , but made for long day so never put that much just enough to slip tracks and not clutch. now that i look back doing with out some of the good things we have now made me a better op. like tilt blade, think ever new op should learn with out it set your tractor up for what you wont it to do we are there to think for it, thats our job. thanks for making me think back.
Show some pics of it please.
I’ll take me I’ve just been super busy
A good operator on a Hand clutch I am NOT, driven a few worked a few and never got good enough with them as Not enough hands and feet, or seat time to generate that 'Feel' or Instinct of the controls. Running a few I have had pleasure over the years(mostly Power Shifts) I can get the hang but takes time in the seat and developed comfort zone. Hands just become part of the machine grabbing when needed by instinct most occasions.
You should try a manual with a hydraulic blade and a double drum CCU. That gets busy
Watched a guy running old Cable pan with a hand clutch manual box 8H? Long ago Still had a blade(hyd) on working push duty as well pan Looked like a wrestling match of two octopus Both arms working non stop but smooth!