New to me DC-4 need some help

[nitrous]

Hello,
I recently acquired a new to me DC-4 with front loader. I paid $800 up here in Canada (Saskatchewan) and plan on using it for snow removal on my acreage.
This is my first tractor and I am very excited to get this thing in top shape. Being a newbie to these it took me a while to figure out the clutch and gears!
It starts/runs and drives ok, except the steering does not want to turn to the left that great.

From what I can see the serial # is DC8031802
Can anyone tell me what year that is ?

Also I plan to drain oil, coolant, new air filter, fuel filter etc. Is the clutch using the same oil as the engine ? if so what is the easiest way to drain the clutch and do it fill itself from the engine ?
Where can I get a manual as well as parts ??
Thanks for the help
I will post some pics once they let me










 

[Tom Railsback]

Nitrous:
I am the so-called D series technical expert for the
J.I. Case Collectors' Association. Based on the serial number, your tractor is a 1953 model.
I would get a manual directly from Case-New Holland; they are pricy but well worth the money.
To drain the clutch there is a plug on the bottom right side of the clutch housing. It gets its oil from the crankcase via a passage in the crankshaft.
There is no air filter per se, just a reservoir you fill with oil next to the carburetor.
Grease your steering system well and you should notice a difference.
I see several things I would change if it were mine:
1) Your battery tray is missing
2) The air cleaner intake is not stock
3) It should have a muffler, not a crooked pipe
(even a straight pipe would look better; that's what my DC4 has on it as of the first of August after the muffler broke off during a parade.)
E-mail me if you have other questions and I'll try to answer them.
 

[johndeereman]

tom wouldnt a 53 have a foot clutch? his is hand. i bet it gets pretty toasty in that cab
 

[Wilson]

I have both Wondered that myself, Tom were all 80######## reworked were some recalled from dealers???
 

[nitrous]

Thanks Tom I really appreciate the info.

Where would you recommend to go for parts like the battery tray and other stuff, also might rip that cab off and look for some fenders.

I will be draining the engine and clutch oil tonight. I plan on using this in winter here and it gets to -35 Celsius.
Being a 6v this thing has a tough enough time turning over now I don't know what to expect in winter. May have to consider a 12v conversion.

What would you guys recommend for oil 0w-30 ??
 

[Camboted]

I suspect you'll need to take that steering gearbox apart and replace the two small bearings on the worm shaft to get the sterring working well. Try the grease, but usuually those bearings go and it just won't mesh. I've seen them lock up. LOL!

Wow! -35 degrees! I'd leave the cab on!
 

[JGarner]

Many moons ago we used 5w in our SC with an 8V battery and it started with not much problem down to about -30F. We used it and the 8' Danuser blade to plow our mile long driveway. When it got narrow and looked like it was getting ahead of us the county plow would make a pass up and turn around at the house since we were at a dead end of the county road winter maintenance.

Only time it failed to start (and nearly every thing else except the pony motor on the JD R) was at -55F.

0w-30 will probably work. An 8V battery if you can find them really helps and all you have to do is tweak the VR to charge at about 8.5-9V.

Jim
 

[Tom Railsback]

According to Erb and Brumbaugh, the foot clutch became standard equipment in February or March 1952.
If his was built in late 1951 or before the changeover, it probably had a hand clutch.
 

[Tom Railsback]

Now I'm confused. Erb and Brumbaugh say that most of 1953 production was inventoried and later returned to the factory to be retrofitted with foot clutches. They also imply that build cards are not available for units beginning 80xxxxxx so it may not be possible to tell. Maybe DCTom will chime in here.
 

[Glenn F.]

I believe a hand clutch was available, (and common) right to the end of 1954. We have a '54 with hand clutch which we bought from the original owner (neighbor) about ten years ago.


Glenn F.
 

[Tom Railsback]

Glenn, that makes sense as other models were available with hand clutch until the early sixties.
 

[Jerry W]

Nice tractor DC's are tough reliable equipment.

I cannot image Case recalling a hand clutch tractor that had been already sold and that the owner was happy with. I think the hand clutch probably went all the way until end of production.

Jerry
 

[DCTOM]

come on tommy, hand clutches were standard till 1953, there were build cards for these tractors cause i had them rich has them now, hand cluth also an option till end of production but foot was standard in 53, how many of you know there were none bullt in 54?? how many of you know why the foot clutch was put in the dc and sc???? tom
 

[Tom Railsback]

Sorry, Tom.
 

[Adirondack case guy]

Hi Tom ;
I am just wondering about the front axle mounting brackets. I have never seen any like in the pics. posted by nitrus. The ones I am use to look like the pic. I just posted here.