Thinking About Buying a 1967 John Deere 450 Straight Dozer

[bulletpruf]

Went to look at a JD 450 today. She's been sitting for about 5 years, but I think there's a good chance that she'll run with a hot battery and maybe a sniff of ether.





Should be a 1967 model, SN 56121.

Had a ripper at some point, but it's MIA. Would be good to have one on it; looks like the model 3110 ripper is what it needs.



Track pads are JUNK, but sprockets and idlers looked ok. Not sure about the chain (any thoughts?); but it would be nice if the chain was useable because new chain is about $2,000 per side for the sealed and lubricated (SALT) stuff.









Engine has had some welding or brazing done on the block; that makes me nervous. Also has an aluminum radiator that appears to be from an automotive application. It's a dry clutch machine so there's a decent chance that the steering clutches are rusty.



Owner said the machine would quit moving on an incline or decline. The engine wouldn't die, but the machine wouldn't move. Could be steering clutches need adjusted or replaced or could be low oil in the trans. Any other ideas?

Plan is to go back tomorrow morning with 5 gallons of diesel, a good battery, a jump pack, some tools, trans oil, and ether. If it will start and move, I will probably purchase it.

 

[EFSM]

Best of luck! It looks like you may need it.

 

[bulletpruf]

Best of luck! It looks like you may need it.

Yeah, she's a bit rough.

 

[EFSM]

Then again, it’s Texas, it’s a diesel, and it’s a JD, so…that’s working for you, at least in some people’s minds.

 

[Junk Meister]

Went to look at a JD 450 today. She's been sitting for about 5 years, but I think there's a good chance that she'll run with a hot battery and maybe a sniff of ether.





Should be a 1967 model, SN 56121.

Had a ripper at some point, but it's MIA. Would be good to have one on it; looks like the model 3110 ripper is what it needs.



Track pads are JUNK, but sprockets and idlers looked ok. Not sure about the chain (any thoughts?); but it would be nice if the chain was useable because new chain is about $2,000 per side for the sealed and lubricated (SALT) stuff.









Engine has had some welding or brazing done on the block; that makes me nervous. Also has an aluminum radiator that appears to be from an automotive application. It's a dry clutch machine so there's a decent chance that the steering clutches are rusty.



Owner said the machine would quit moving on an incline or decline. The engine wouldn't die, but the machine wouldn't move. Could be steering clutches need adjusted or replaced or could be low oil in the trans. Any other ideas?

Plan is to go back tomorrow morning with 5 gallons of diesel, a good battery, a jump pack, some tools, trans oil, and ether. If it will start and move, I will probably purchase it.

Be sure to use a 303 compatible oil. Ask the owner what oil he used in drive line. The slowing down story-- is/was the motor running free but not putting power to the tracks? You covered the dry clutches being rusty but on the other hand it is possible on that old of machine the pinion seals have failed letting oil into the steering clutches and they are/were slipping. If so maybe the steel plates didn't rust/pit. Unless the fiber plates are thin you can sand them and replace the steel if they are warped/burnt or rust pitted.If the fiber discs have worn down (Thickness) the overhanging edges of the discs may be holding the steel to fiber faces apart.
Pull the seat bottom and take some pics to post Does it have power steering?
You will know a lot more on the tranny/pinion/clutches when you can move it around.
I bought a 450 with hoe that wouldn't move (CHEAP) and found a limestone road rock preventing the clutch from returning all the way.
The water jacket must have froze in past life if it came from the north. I have welded JD skidders then a coat of JB weld to seal and stop leak for pinholes. Never needed stop leak after first dose. I did drill the ends of the cracks to check the cracks from growing.
They worked for years without problems.
If the injector pump hasn't been worked over you might keep an eye on the engine oil level and (CHECK) smell for diesel in it.
Do the pins feel round and full? Rails look serviceable, I have seen sprockets and rails in a lot worse shape.
Good luck.