Working on the 420C

Fawteen · Oct 18, 2019

On the off chance that anybody is interested, I'll post a like to the build page for my 420C.
420C Repairs

pinball · Oct 18, 2019

nice article. does yours have the reverser.

Fawteen · Oct 18, 2019

It does, but several people have advised me not to use it. Seems it was a little under-designed and is prone to failure. 2nd and Reverse are right across from each other anyway, just as easy to shift the main transmission.

Bret4207 · Oct 19, 2019

I wired my reverser in the forward position. Mine works OK, but the lever slips on the shaft if you don't time the shift just right. Not worth the trouble IMO.

PJH · Oct 19, 2019

I enjoyed your story and pictures.

I look forward to seeing more of your project.

My 420C is the "elephant in the room" right now. It's been in pieces in my shop for several years. Maybe your project will inspire me to finish it this winter.

pinball · Oct 19, 2019

use it. just make sure your clutch is all the way down and your motor is down to idle. Its quicker AS I have had both and the reverser is a plus. when you pull it back you can feel whether its grinding or not. I would never buy another one with out it. a JD 440 has a reverser but its a different kind. the ones you cant find parts for . that's why I will never buy a 449 again.

TomA in CA · Oct 20, 2019

You should be able to beat the master pins out with a sledge hammer.

Fawteen · Oct 20, 2019

Got the master pins out and the tracks off. Details and pix at the link in the original post.

Lavoy · Oct 21, 2019

Nothing wrong with using a reverser, the lion's share of them failed due to the operator, not the reverser itself. No real significant difference in parts availability between 420 and 440, and very late 420 and all 430 use the same reverser as 440. I am working on reproduction parts for both, but even then, not complete availability.
Lavoy
kdcrawlers.com

Bret4207 · Oct 21, 2019

It IS nice to be able to use the reverser and back up at a higher than normal speed. In my particular case it's a matter of worn parts as much as anything else.

Hey, speaking of 420's, this AM I moved my dead D4 with mine! Pushed the front end about 6" left to get the angle I needed to get the old girl up a hill. The 420 had no problem moving the Cat until I tried making a turn by locking a track in the Cat. Poor little 420 would have dug herself to China before the Cat moved that way! Gotta say though, the little 420 moved 7 tons of Cat uphill without a whimper!

Working on the 420C

Fawteen

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pinball

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Fawteen

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Bret4207

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PJH

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pinball

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TomA in CA

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Lavoy

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