Hello all, I have been browsing this site for several months as I shopped for a dozer. I just purchased a Case 350 dozer with some steering issues. It will hardly turn when the left lever is applied, it is acceptable for the right lever. On a hill with the rear end lower, turning improves some. On the transmission case (or differential - it is the housing for the brake bands) the bottom three studs on the right final drive (which attach it to the case) are broken off. I may be able to extract them, but I haven't tried yet. This has caused a seepage in that area. The transmission cover plate (back plate, easily viewable) has been removed at some point as the gasket has been replaced with RTV sealant. There is no dipstick - I believe it has been plugged. When I look through the left hole in the cabin floor I see a plug in what I believe is the dipstick area. I have seen diagrams that show a dipstick in a tube with an elbow here. There is another plug just behind the left steering link on the top left of the transmission case. I removed it, and was unable to see fluid in the case. The outer adjustment for the brakes seem to have been increased quite a bit. There has been a nut added to the left, and two nuts added to the right (to increase how much adjustment it has. They are adjusted about half way down on the threads of the steering links.
My thought is the unit is very low on fluid, and most likely needs brake bands. Before I go that far, should I try to add GL-1 to it and see if steering improves? If so, how can I eyeball the proper fluid level since there is no dipstick? Would it be better to remove the rear transmission cover, adjust the inner and outer adjustments for the brake bands, then add the proper amount of fluid?
My goal for this dozer is to dig a driveway and clear some light brush and small trees from our farm. I don't plan on keeping it for much past that, but I don't want to wreck it for the next owner. If anyone could share some thoughts on how to proceed I would appreciate it.
My thought is the unit is very low on fluid, and most likely needs brake bands. Before I go that far, should I try to add GL-1 to it and see if steering improves? If so, how can I eyeball the proper fluid level since there is no dipstick? Would it be better to remove the rear transmission cover, adjust the inner and outer adjustments for the brake bands, then add the proper amount of fluid?
My goal for this dozer is to dig a driveway and clear some light brush and small trees from our farm. I don't plan on keeping it for much past that, but I don't want to wreck it for the next owner. If anyone could share some thoughts on how to proceed I would appreciate it.
