D4 Cat steering clutches

Forum,
Looking at a D4 Cat with bucket. Problem is the steering does not operate. What needs to be done to release clutches or brake bands? It also has a pony motor. Are there any things to look for concerning the pony motor?
Mr. T. Minnesota
 
If this is a D4-7U model, steering clutch replacement is an extensive repair. Those models required the fuel tank to the clutch housing be removed, then the whole transmission/final drive/steering clutch housing be removed in one piece. Need a substantial hoist for this work. About the only adjustments were to the linkage from the levers.
 
drain the steering clutch compartments--then replace the plugs and and half fill with kerosene--run it back and forth to wash out all the crud---sometimes if they are stuck ride the brakes real hard and pull a heavy implement to break them free
the pony motors typically have fuel problems--either the gas tank rusted and/or the carburetor plugged up
the pinion engagement can also give you problems--drain and refill with ATF to get the clutch working well
 
D,
Is there supposed to be fluid in the steering clutch compartment? Just looked at a you tube that showed a lot of fluid in that area and it was not supposed to be there. May look at it today and will remove the drain plug under the steering compartment. Any and all other thoughts are welcome.
Mr. T. Minnesota
 
The d4 have dry stering cluch and you should have 3 inchs free play at top stering cluch
lever and 3 inch free play on brake pedal
 
they are dry clutches---oil can leak in from the bevel gear housing and shafts--and water gets in thru the topside gaskets---making a sludgy mess---the kerosene will clean it out quite well
many guys drill a small hole thru the drain plug and put a cotter pin in it to rattle around and let it drain
 
Forum,
Checked out the D4 Cat this afternoon. It is a 7J1664 version. One of the lift arms had 6 52 cast into it. I gather it was made in June, 1952-maybe???? The owner said it was overhauled in the Twin Cities, steering clutches had been gone through, and mag on pony had been redone. Tracks looked alright, sprocket was passable and pony turned over without any problem. It was driven with 6 volts. There was a problem with the pony electric starter motor. It had a broken support allowing the 6 volt starter motor to turn over the pony motor. Over all it was a lot bigger than my HD3 Allis. It had a scoop and straight blade. Told the owner to fix the belt support and take care of the steering and I may consider the Cat. Any other thoughts are welcome. It is priced at $3500.
Mr. T. lMinnesota
 
"It is a 7J1664 version." Accordingly that would make it a 1939 serial #' 7J 1 to 7J 1754. If it was a 7U it would be a 1948, serial #'s 7U 1540 to 7U 4072. To be a 1952 it would need to have a serial # of 7U 15865 to 7U 20549.
Paid $ 3750 for my 1955 7U, after the parts alone topped over $5000, I just stopped adding them up !! The RT front idler needs some work now, cost ???. It's all the other thing that cost, like the track adjustment screw, breaking the track apart to get to the idler, that will have to be dealt with that will take time and add to the repair cost..
PS: I was able to do all the repairs myself, if you can not, you may want to think long and hard. Of course my motto got in the way, If Your Going To Do It Do It Right.
 
I have a 1955 7U--had to free up the track adjusters and had to pull both blade triangle linkage out to install new outer bushings--built a new canopy too
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