850 preventive/while-I-have-it-apart maintenance

esbrian · Jun 7, 2014

While working on the steering gearbox on my 850, I've got the hood, dash, air cleaner, battery holder, and wiring taken off the tractor. I'm not looking to do a restoration or paint job at this time, but is there anything I should be taking care of while I've got this much taken off the tractor?

Since acquiring the 850 this spring I've changed the transmission, hydraulic and rear diff oil. I'm replacing the wiring harness and tach or tach cable (I have both, but it appears to only need the cable so I might save the zeros on the new tach for a more appropriate time) and checking oil pressure and temp gauges while I'm in here. Anything else?

Brian

Royse · Jun 7, 2014

Thermostat, hoses and belt come to mind quickly.
Spring and friction disk on the throttle linkage under
the battery box if it needs any attention.
Make sure the water pump, valve cover gasket, fuel
shutoff valve, etc. aren't leaking.
Clean/replenish the breather on the side of the valve cover.
Always seems easier to me with the hood off, even
though the gas tank is still in the way.

esbrian · Jun 7, 2014

Thanks Royse, I'd forgotten that the belt caught my eye when I was first looking at buying this tractor. It's definitely up for replacement.

If the hoses up front aren't obviously leaking, what do I need to look out for?

Of the other items you mentioned to check out, is there anything I should look out for that I won't find in the manuals? I'm gonna try to wash a bunch of the crud off before I put everything back on. What areas should I avoid with the hose or pressure washer?

Brian

Royse · Jun 7, 2014

I check the hoses to make sure they are not soft or cracked
from age. Soft hoses can collapse and restrict water flow.

No gotcha's in those items that I'm aware of.

You'll want to protect the distributor and coil from too much
water, but more importantly the pressure from a pressure washer.
Hey, they've been run in the rain right? A little water won't hurt.
But the pressure from a pressure washer can push water into
the electrical components and mess them up. I also try not to
direct it up into the filters and other openings like dipsticks.

I clean all of mine with a pressure washer and have not had any
problems. A little care goes a long way.
Once you clean the old crud off it will be easier to spot the leaks.

souNdguy · Jun 7, 2014

that far down, i'd check core plugs...

Dean · Jun 7, 2014

Remove the radiator and take it to a good radiator shop for cleaning/pressure test/repair.

Replace the radiator pads and mounting bolts upon replacement. Procure upper radiator pads to install upon hood replacement.

Check for play in the water pump shaft while the radiator is out. If you know the history of the tractor and know that the water pump is old, replace it.

Replace the thermostat.

Dean

esbrian · Jun 9, 2014

(quoted from post at 14:43:55 06/07/14) ...
Clean/replenish the breather on the side of the valve cover...

I didn't see anything about this in the manuals... Is it just a matter of a solvent wash for the filter element? If so, does it get re-oiled prior to re-installation?

New fuel shutoff, replaced by the seller this past winter, IS leaking. This one has a slotted knurled knob. The impression I've gotten from reading on this board is that most available fuel shutoff valves leak from about day 2. Magic fix for this?

Royse · Jun 9, 2014

I just wash mine out with diesel fuel then brake/parts
cleaner and let it dry.

I don't have a magic fix for the shutoff valve.
There are some posts about rebuilding the originals,
not sure how well it would work with the aftermarkets.
There are electric shutoff valves too. A bit spendy.

esbrian · Jun 10, 2014

(quoted from post at 16:14:36 06/07/14) that far down, i'd check core plugs...

SouNdguy, checking for potential rust-through? I hope you don't mean check behind them :?

esbrian · Jun 10, 2014

Dean,

I'm sure this varies between regions, but what sort of money might I be looking at for the radiator inspection? I don't mind pulling the radiator, but I'm starting to run a bit low on funds...

souNdguy · Jun 10, 2014

any time I can get at that back core plug I always do it. if it is rusty. i do em all.

850 preventive/while-I-have-it-apart maintenance

esbrian

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esbrian

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souNdguy

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Dean

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esbrian

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Royse

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esbrian

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esbrian

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