450B steering clutch

Bherd

New User
Hello,
I am looking at buying a early 70's model John Deere 450B track loader. I looked at it a few days ago. It steers great both ways going forward. When in reverse and pull the left steering clutch it turns fine. When you pull the right steering clutch, you have to pull it fairly hard and it bogs the engine and doesn't turn good but it's fine going forward. It's missing belly pans and grill. On the right side, the pin for the lift that is in the main arm going up and down bolted to the machine that goes threw the lift arm going to the bucket is backed out some. Other than that the machine seems to run and operate good. The undercarriage looks good too. It has to turn over a few times when it's cold to crank. He is asking $6,000. I hate to buy it and get it home just to spend that much more to fix the steering issue Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Ben
 
I know I going to get a lot of flack for saying this, but you couldn't run fast enough to
give me a 450 B John Deere. They have dry steering clutches. They work for a while and then
you work on them for a while. A vicious cycle that never ends. Parts are expensive for them
and it is hard, sledge hammer, stand on your head work. I've been into too many of them to
count. I wouldn't trade my 450 CASE for 4 of the things and that's all I'll say.
 
Thank you for your response. I know the saying you get what you pay for. I'm looking for just a small older machine to clean up my 30 acres and not wanting to buy a high dollar machine nor one that I have to put alot of money and wrench time when I get it home either. If that makes sense lol. I have another one close spotted that I haven't looked at yet. It's a Fiat Allis FL 7 track loader. I think I've read it's dry clutch as well but alot easier to work on I don't know personally. It is in better shape than the 450B but the undercarriage is about 40 percent he said. I haven't looked at it yet. He said the steering needs adjusted on it some. Asking 5500 but is wanting to sale. Again thanks for the input.
Ben
 
I know what others say about the JD 450B, I
put steering brake bands in mine when I got
it 25 or more years ago(don't remember if I
put new clutches in). I wore out the tracks
once and got new chains. I don't use it much
anymore. I have NEVER had any problems with
the steering since I worked on it then
besides an occasional adjustment. The 450B
steering brakes and clutches can be replaced
from above without removing the final drive.
 
A 450 case is a nice machine. I do like being able to keep power on both tracks while turning ! Oh and I am a JD guy mostly.
 
What about the Fiat Allis FL7. Anyone have much experience with them on working on the clutches or trying to find parts?
 
Well, the FL7 sold today. I still can't understand why the 450B steers perfect both ways going forward but in reverse steers perfect when you pull the left clutch lever but when you pull the right one you have to pull it fairly hard and it bogs the engine. Thinking about giving him a low offer maybe. Input???
Thanks
 
Do you understand how the steering clutches work on a 450B? When you pull the lever back
a throwout bearing presses against the Pressure plate fingers and starts to release the
drive from that track. The other track is still pulling and the turn starts.As you pull
the lever back harder the brake band starts to tighten the brake band around the drum,
and locks that track to spin the machine around. Adjustment on the time that the clutch
releases and the brake applies is critical for it to work properly.If the brake applies before the clutch releases, the machine is trying to pull and brake at the same time with the same track. It could be adjustment. Pulling the covers and looking inside will tell you a lot in a few minutes.John Deere did a poor job of sealing the oil from the differential from
getting on the clutches and the brake linings. Also if the machine sits for a time and is
not run the steel clutch discs rust and stick to the fiber discs and will not release.
Save yourself a lot of time trouble and aggravation and buy yourself a C or newer
machine,if you are stuck on a Deere.
 
Thanks welding man. I look online about 4 times a day. I'm not really stuck on JD. I've been searching Case close to me from your first Post.
Thank you for the detailed explanation.
 
Here I am again. I've been keeping my eye
out locally for a track loader for a while.
Still not much luck for a machine for my
farm. The 450b is still for sale. He has
dropped the price. I've thought about
making him a low offer on it and just go
with it. I Know the dry clutches from on
her and what I've read is not the way to go
but if it's cheap enough is it worth the
trouble? Or will it never be cheap enough
to deal with the dry clutches. Imput
greatly appreciated.
 

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