JD 450 B Left Track quit pulling

[Georgia088]

Hello and thanks in advance. I have JD450 I believe B. I know it has dry clutches. It could be an A or C with dry clutches I am not sure. I bought it about two months ago and have done some hydraulic line replacement and a few things, but it runs good. I have been working it pretty hard the last few weeks. I turned it off yesterday after running it pretty hard. Left for about 2 hours and got back on. When I got back on, the left track will not pull at all. If I pull the right steering lever back and lock down the right track, the loader just sits there. You can see the track attempt to move slightly, but no real movement. It seemed to do this one other time for just a few minutes and then it started working again. Normally, I can turn around in a circle if I hold one lever back and lock down a track. I can still do that with the right track, but the left track won't pull.

I am assuming the steering clutch is slipping. So, I pulled the cover off and it does look a little greasy in there, but everything seems to move pretty freely. Would an adjustment cause the left trac go from pulling fine to not at all? Would grease on the clutch cause this? I've seen where people degrease them with gasoline. I know this would only be a temporary fix until the oil/grease comes back, but I really have a project I need to finish. If this will work I may give it a shot.... Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[Jim.ME]

The straight 450 (to my knowledge there was no 450A) and the 450B had dry clutches. the 450C and D had wet clutches.

Does the lever pull the same as always or is it pulling easier?

The steering clutch compartment should not be greasy in it. Grease, oil, water, etc. can cause slipping clutches. If it tries or will drive after it sets and cools off that is a likely problem.

An adjustment might help, if it was out of adjustment to begin with.

I am not going to recommend using gas or anything other than brake cleaner. I Don't know that you can get it far enough into the clutch pack to do much good but it doesn't sound like you have much to lose by trying to spray some into the clutch.

 

[Georgia088]

I added gas in there. I cranked up while it was cold and it started moving right away. I let the gas stay in there while it "sloshed around" for about 20 minutes and then drained it. It was pretty dirty and a little oily. I then ran it pretty hard for about 20 more minutes and it did ok. I think I noticed it slipping a few times, but it was useable. I may do the gas trick a few more times and then see how long it lasts before it gets greasy again. If it lasts a long time, I guess I can assume the leak isn't too bad, but if it doesn't....I guess it's time to tear into it...

 

[TomA in CA]

If you drive it around and steer with the solvent in there it will get into the entire clutch pack and clean it.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Sounds like you have a good idea there. Only addition id make is secure both levers back and let the gas get in between the plates, and the rotation of the clutch can churn things up.

 

[Dennis K (WA)]

Using gasoline sounds scary to me. I would suggest cleaning solvent or brake clean instead. Good luck getting it functional.
Be safe. Dennis