JD 550 nightmare!!!

arrow · Feb 25, 2009

Before I went crazy pulling apart a bulldozer, I would contct Caterpillar and learn from a mechanic there as to how much of a real problem a piece of plastic poses for a bulldozer transmission. I know a bit about car transmissions but I would hesitate to give advice on a bulldozer trannies as I never pulled one apart. This may not be a first time experience for a company such as they. They might know of a heating trick that melts the plastic or at least give an overview as to how serious a problem it is or isn't.

Of all the skidders I've driven, a bulldozer was my favorite tool for skidding out trees for a variety of reasons just so long as the cycle had relatively short runs. I absolutely love the things.

crazymike · Feb 25, 2009

No offence, but I wouldn't even waste my time getting oil samples on a $9000 dozer. Oil samples are great when you are buying $110,000 machine. I get them done on my new equipment as part of their service. But if I was going to buy a machine for $9000, I wouldn't bother.

Those old dozers run forever. Just pulling the dipstick tells you enough. Run through the ranges, check your brakes and you're good to go. The amount of hours you would put on it is nothing. We had a dresser that run 14 hours a day for 20+ years without a hitch. Old machines are hard to kill, and when they die they are simple to rebuild.

arrow said:
Before I went crazy pulling apart a bulldozer, I would contct Caterpillar and learn from a mechanic there as to how much of a real problem a piece of plastic poses for a bulldozer transmission. I know a bit about car transmissions but I would hesitate to give advice on a bulldozer trannies as I never pulled one apart. This may not be a first time experience for a company such as they. They might know of a heating trick that melts the plastic or at least give an overview as to how serious a problem it is or isn't.

Of all the skidders I've driven, a bulldozer was my favorite tool for skidding out trees for a variety of reasons just so long as the cycle had relatively short runs. I absolutely love the things.

Don't leave the piece of plastic in there. It will get ground up and get in everything. It could potentially damage seals, etc...

If the guy is **** enough to get oil samples done on a $10,000 machine, then he doesn't want contaminates in his transmission.

Personally I would just buy it. If it lasts you 6 months you already saved over renting.

archeryantny · Feb 25, 2009

crazymike

Default Re: JD 550 nightmare!!!
No offence, but I wouldn't even waste my time getting oil samples on a $9000 dozer. Oil samples are great when you are buying $110,000 machine. I get them done on my new equipment as part of their service. But if I was going to buy a machine for $9000, I wouldn't bother.

Those old dozers run forever. Just pulling the dipstick tells you enough. Run through the ranges, check your brakes and you're good to go. The amount of hours you would put on it is nothing. We had a dresser that run 14 hours a day for 20+ years without a hitch. Old machines are hard to kill, and when they die they are simple to rebuild.

Hey johnny come lately, where were you on Sunday when I was on my way to get oil samples. lol

No offense taken, and thank you very much for your advice. I figured oil samples would be cheap insurance against any major problems and would also buy me some piece of mind. I feel the same way about those old machines and i don't see how it wouldn't do the random tasks I have planned.

crazymike · Mar 1, 2009

archeryantny said:
Hey johnny come lately, where were you on Sunday when I was on my way to get oil samples. lol No offense taken, and thank you very much for your advice. I figured oil samples would be cheap insurance against any major problems and would also buy me some piece of mind. I feel the same way about those old machines and i don't see how it wouldn't do the random tasks I have planned.

The way I look at it, if I was going to sell a machine that I hadn't serviced in 20 years, I would probably change the oil quick before I dropped it in the trader anyways.

i find when I'm being extra careful in life, is exactly when I hit myself in the thumb with a hammer or miss the last step and go flying

Sniggle · Mar 4, 2009

I apologize for my curiosity, but I was wondering if you have a update?

archeryantny · Mar 4, 2009

Sorry i haven't posted lately been kinda busy trying to straighten out this whole debacle. Tomorrow is the day of truth. We were scheduled for "extraction" on this past Monday, but we were hit with a blizzard, so that put things off. This situations sucks in plain English.

I spoke with my mechanic today and he received the results of the oil tests. They came back less than stellar. I do not have the results in front of me right now, but I will get them and post them tomorrow. Heres the short and sweet. They weren't able to get an accurate reading from the trans oil test due to the fact that there was too much contamination from water and coolant. He did not like the fact that there was coolant present in the oil. Engine oil was very high in silicon and copper. Hydraulic oil was fine.

As of today he is urging me to not buy it and by the results of the tests he could see very costly repairs needing to be done in the future. I will keep you guys posted on what comes next. This has been a week from heck and I am confused to say the least.

Scooby074 · Mar 5, 2009

Pretty rotten that the tests came back so negative, I have to wonder about that "rebuild" that was done not long ago. Its much better to know now then after you bought it, and It paid to do your homework in this case. Hopefully you can get the tube out without too much cost/effort and move on.

EddieWalker · Mar 5, 2009

Interesting that there was engine coolant in the transmission. I'd have looked in the radiator to see what was in there. If it's going one way, then it should be going the other way. Water might just be condensation from sitting for a long time, but the coolant part has me perplexed.

Have you gone to the JD dealer and asked their mechanics about that tube or any ideas on how to get it out?

Did you post over at Heavy Equipment Forums - Powered by vBulletin

Is there a drain plug at the bottom of the transmission? Do you have to remove the plates to get to it? Maybe talking to a mechanic for Deere will tell you about an access panel? My Case and New Holland dealers are very good about making copies of their service manuals for me when I'm working on a certain part of my equipment. It's been very helpful just to see how it goes together from the diagrams. Maybe something like that might help?

Good luck,
Eddie

archeryantny · Mar 5, 2009

The coolant problem is most likely coming from the transmission cooling system. My mechanic said that this machine had a cooling system for the transmission and that it has obviously leaked. Eddie your probably right about the water but, I cant believe that there was actually too much water That they couldn't make an accurate reading.

I have contacted Jesco, a local JD dealer by me, and they were very nice and very, very helpful. I was on the phone with a gentleman from there for quite a while going over what exactly will get screwed up if the tube is left in there. He explained in very good detail the complexities of the trans and how there can't be any foreign objects for it to properly function and lubricate itself.
The guy basically reiterated what everyone on TBN said, "its gotta come out"

There is a drain and a screen at the bottom of the transmission that was removed to try and access the tube. We will remove them again today along with an access panel where the fill tube is on the top end of the trans. The only problem is that there is huge filter with big 1" lines that have to be removed in order to access the panel. I'll keep you guys posted.

EddieWalker · Mar 5, 2009

I have some of those big hydraulic lines on my dozer and they are a real bear to remove. It's tight and you can only get a wrench on them to turn just a tiny amount. For me, it's a test of endurance. How long can I stay in that position to turn the threads until I cramp up. It's all about pain and endurance!!! LOL

Good luck, it's good to hear that there are ways to get into the transmission without having to take it out.

I didn't know about the cooling system for the transmission. I wonder how long the machine has been sitting and if the coolant getting into it is something new? Probably not worth buying it and taking the chance. But for the price, a new transmission might still be a bargain if the rest of the machine is good. Just the thought of pulling it out is overwhelming, but like anything, take it one step at a time and eventually it gets done.

Good luck,
Eddie