1970 case skidsteer

[grump507]

i have a 1970 case skidsteer it runs the bucket works fine but it barely moves and locks right up when you try to turn any ideas
thanks bill

[RPW]

With Skid Steers there could be many problems that will cause this problem. With mine (bobcat 741) I was thinking that I had lost the hydrostatic pump as mine would creep and after about a half hour wouldn't turn, move forward or backwards but the bucket worked fine. I can do most work myself but this required the dealer to troubleshoot. I haven't got it back but it looks like in my case it's a plugged hydraulic filter. If your machine as many hours try replacing filter and maybe flush your hydraulic fluid. After that you will probably want to contact your dealer or a reputable service center for further ideas.

Good luck.

[jbooth]

Grump; got a model #?

Some of the 70s Cases had clucthes as opposed to hydrostatic drive. The ones with the clucthes can be identified by a large rectangular cover between the wheels.

If your machine had parking brakes, that could cause some problems also.

[grump507]

The machine model number is a 1537. It does have the rectangular cover between the wheels. what do you recomend doing from here?

[jbooth]

Case Skid Steers (Uni-Loaders) Historical Specifications

Sorry I didn't pick up on your post. Above is some historical data for Case machines

My experience is/was with a 1740 which was about the same vintage. 1740 is a
40 HP diesel. The 1740 was a strong machine and was pretty much bullet
proof, but hard to work on. I would expect the the 1537 to be similiar on
the drive components. It will have a forward and reverse clucth on each
side. (4 total) Those clutches will be directly under those large nuts on
the rectangular cover between the wheels. We made a plate copied from the
rectangular cover but with acess for adjusting the clutches. The purpose of
the plates was to hold the clutches in proper alignment for the adjustment.
The 1740's variable speed was a reeves drive set up with the wide belt and a
hydraulic control on the reeves drive. The variable on the smaller HP
machines may have been manual as opposed to hydraulic. The hydraulic system
reservoir on the 1740 was also encased in these drive covers and was also
connected between the sides with a steel equalizing line. This acted as a
hydraulic reservoir and a lubrication system for all the encased chains and
clutches. I no longer have access to a manual. As I remember the 1740 it
had pipe plugs for low and hi level marks. Would need to allow time for
equalizing after adding hydraulic oil.

If I were troubleshooting this system I would start by looking directly
under the foot floor plate to make sure the variable drive is working
correctly. Can run the machine without the floor board if very careful. You
should find a right angle gearbox connected directly to the motor. Coming
out of the gear box will be the hydraulic pump on one side with the variable
drive on the other. I always thought the variable drive set up was a bit
fragile. If all is well under the floorboard then it may be time to look at
the clucthes. There are chains running all over the place once those covers
come off so if chains are removed draw or take pictures to be able to get
everything back together.

There was a parking brake on the 1740 but was disconnected so I don't know
how it operated. This might also be something to check.

Be forwarned that a young helper with arms that bend in all directions will
be helpful, if not essential. There is nothng easy about getting to these
components. The 1740 had skid plates and their removal may allow better
access to some of the components. Skid removal will defitely make cleaning
easier if required. Good luck and feel free to ask specific questions.
I'm operating on memory and that is poor to say tthe least.

Jim Booth