steering issues with MF 300 crawler loader

Als Garage

New User
Hi,
Are you guys still discussing MF 300 crawler steering issues? I have and MF 300 tracked loader and have intermittant steering issues.
Not 100% sure if it is brakes or clutches not releasing. Sometimes it will lock a track and steer on a dime and other times no matter how hard you stamp on the pedal it will only slowly drift off in that direction. Tried the bleeding nipple on the filter (steering clutch filter is the single one on the LHS in front of pedals. Twin filters on the other side are for the power shift. Next plan is to change filters but could use a bit of help to trouble shoot this problem. Maybe low steering clutch oil pressure but no sign of air in the system, full of clean oil and no visible suction side leaks. Might run it into a bucket for 30seconds to make sure pump is working ok and put a gauge in the system if I can find a port. Seems slightly different adjustment on either side. Brake are moves a bit when you push LHS but not on RHS.
Could use a maintenance manual if any one has a pdf copy. Swap you for a parts manual. Would also like an operators manual.

Any help greatly appreciated. (also posted under dozers my mistake)

Alistair
 
you must find a owners manual. setting the linkage is very touchy and must be done by the book. i had the manual but sent it to someone on this forum and never got it back.had lots of 300 but that was 20 years ago .sorry cant help you more
 
after thing on this the two filters on the right are steering [on the fire wall engine side ]had one machine that did the same and turned out to be the ring on filter base was leaking and sucking air. 100 sure the two filters on the right are steering [sitting on the seat]
 
Thanks Marlowe. I saw your posts on this issue from back in 2007. Sneaky suspicion it is air locked but filter housing is full of clean oil. Will try, change filter, bleed a bit off the pressure side of the pump and fit a gauge to see what it does. On the hunt for a manual if I need to make adjustments. It was in a bit of a sad state when I found it, in a scrap pile with a leg out of bed (through the block). I found a 212 50B engine for buttons and it turned out to be in great condition. Swapped a few bits over and fired it up and it all worked but the tracks fell off when I went for a turn around the yard. Thought they would not adjust so it lay in the yard for 4 years and now I have just got enthused to restore it. Found the well hidden track adjust nipple and lo and behold, plenty travel left, so now keen to get it working properly before I give it a coat of paint.
Your previous posts were a big help.Will let you know how I get on and post a picture.

Al
 
Hi Marlowe, Followed the pipe from back end to pump and it runs to the single filter on the LHS. Parts book exploded view shows the 2 filters on the rhs to be plumbed through the base into the power shift box. Bled them all but no foamy oil or air but there is an oil stain/oily dirt where pressure has been bled off the twin filters by previous owner. Could be something sneaky but pretty sure single LHS one is the steering clutch filter.

Many thanks. Will keep you posted if I have success.

Al
 
Hello, i have just acquired a MF 300 crawler loader that has been sitting for about 15-10 years... And im needing to top off all the fluids.By any chance do you know the type of fluid is needed for the "brake system "?
 
Thanks! This loader has had me stumped since the start. The engine and hydros work great. The throttle has disconnected some were down the line. And needs fluids / oil, I heard that that trans takes Dextron Two ATF pink/ purple ish fluid. And the type A / Dextron works for the brake/ steering system. Seems like I should of gotten that oporators manual eh?
 
they came with a decelerator not the normal accelerator. you push the gas peddle down to slow the engine down just backwards from a car. but a lot of times they were changed to make them a accelerator
 
Oh really? I can decelerate (push down ) but i just can't accelerate (bring back up) with out doing it manualy at the pump.
 
No, the hand control only decrease throttle ( have to use some force) and won't increase. Its like there is too much free play in the links.
 
Ha a little far apart. My grandpa got the loader for $2,000 when he moved to Canada from Idaho. Kinda sucks that I couldn't learn more from him before he passed.
 
(quoted from post at 05:17:14 06/23/16) Say, I can't find the filler cap for the transmission fluid, can you fill it thru the dipstick??

Hi Brad, Seems you and I both need a service manual.
I will be up to look at my 300 crawler tomorrow and will see how it goes topping up transmission oil. I must have done it when I refitted the engine but can't remember. Back end filler breather is easy to find under the seat. I think transmission filler is on top of the bell housing but will take a photo.

Good luck with your machine. When I tried mine out after bleeding the steering filter it spun on a dime but promptly threw a track. All the grease from the adjuster spewed out the shaft. Suspect it has blown out the O ring so anther thing to fix - track off, idler out and remove tensioner shaft to change O ring or seal. I have a parts manual if you want a pdf copy.
send an email to [email protected].

Al
 
Hi Brad, The breather on the power shift trans is at the top of the bell housing above the steering clutch pump.
Will try add a photo. I may have filled it by the dip stick pipe as it does look big enough so maybe you have 2 choices.
(Sorry the one of the trans breather has loaded upside down - can't see how to fix it)

Found a strange thing when I went to change the steering clutch filter. Inside the old filter was a lose O ring (bot the one sealing the bottom of the can. This one is a square section ring. Not sure if it has come from the pump or if the last person to change the filter left it in there (some filters come with multiple base sealing rings for different applications). Bit of a mystery. There are 2 biggish O rings either end of the gear pump assembly. Maybe some one screwed up the pump assembly and one has found its way into the pump exit and then on into the middle of the filter. Would be nice to know if it flows from inside to outside or other way round (through the filter element).
Steering still intermittent. No improvement after fixing 2 possible leaks in the suction pipe work and changing the filter and bleeding.
Might strip the pump next - see if it is missing any o rings.
Any one know what pressure the steering pump should put out? Might be able to put a gauge on the breather port.
Will try to add some pictures.

Al
 
Try again with the photos.
Al
37541.jpg
37542.jpg
37543.jpg
 
Hey AL there is a place were i was able to get a
service,and a oporators manual for my mf 300
crawler loader (oporators manual don't specifi if its a
dozer or loader just a crawler.) if you want just
search up repair manual.com for the manual you
may need. they may still have the sale up also. Im
of on vacation atm but when i get back i may upload
some pictures. Of what im confused about.

Thanks, Brad
Repair Manual.com/Mf 300 crawler
 

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