440ICD jigsaw Project

[jimmydiesel]

Stan
I haven’t had any luck finding any John Deere Industrial / Construction signage lots of farm ones. When it’s cold out I wish the little Detroit would start on gas and then switch over to diesel. As it is the little generator I use to power the block heaters is the only thing I have with NGK plugs. The 440 is in good company with a 63 Studebaker Avanti on one side a 57 Studebaker 1/2 ton pick up on the other and a 59 Studebaker 4 Wheel Drive in front of it.
Cold weather has slowed but not stopped progress.
Steve

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

I did notice a couple Studebakers in the pics of the 440.

There is a guy near me who has Studebaker cars in his shop. His family name is Studebaker, and he lives at a spot named Studebaker Crossroads.

Stan

[jimmydiesel]

Sounds like the guy near you needs a few John Deere’s to go with the Studebakers. Never can have too many.
Got the shift cover cleaned up, new shifter boot and spring.

[jimmydiesel]

When I got this 440 it was missing the clutch release arm. I thought that can’t be hard to find. WRONG. After searching on and off for a year I found Waldo / The Unicorn. Apparently these were a weak design and it was not uncommon for them to break. This one has been repaired looks like it might be stronger than the original. I did trace out the shape and take measurements in case I need to make a new one. Avanti. That’s Italian for forward. As this project is moving forward. Had to get Studebaker in here somewhere.

[reedgmi]

Got the shift cover cleaned up, new shifter boot and spring.


There's a spring in there? Who knew! I certainly don't have one any more!

[jimmydiesel]

Most of the crawlers I look at the spring is rusted and broken.

[jimmydiesel]

Progress is slow but warm weather brought it outside again.



Some wiring,fuel and coolant and the little jimmy is ready to convert diesel to noise.

[jimmydiesel]

Hi of 70 and partly cloudy in the outdoor shop today. Battery cables, battery, fuel and coolant and the little 2-53 came back to life on the second revolution. No muffler and the sweet sound of a 2 stroke jimmy diesel- a great day.
Well since it is running I thought it was time to find out what works. Engine clutch, check Transmission 1,2,3 and reverse, check.
Reverser - forward and reverse, check. Brakes, check. Then it was time to test the steering clutches and brakes. This is what I have worried the most about. Left turn - no. Right turn - no. Well it does go straight nicely. When pulling the left and right levers the brakes are working but the clutches are not releasing. After a half dozen or so try’s on both sides the left side clutches started to release a little but still nothing on the right. Another half dozen or more and the left side was working good. Still locked up on the right. I pulled the bung plugs and could see the release bearing was just barely pushing on the pressure plate. Adjusted the release bearing and tried again to make a right turn. After about 8 try’s it started to release some. Still not right hopefully will get better with some more use.

So on with the puzzle. Still more wiring to replace. The hydraulic tank,pump and a few hydraulic lines to make and mount. Then start chasing hydraulic leaks, The front grille and screen, front and rear lights and the hood. I also have a canopy from another 440 to install.

Nothing runs like a Deere. Unless it’s a Deere with a Detroit.

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

Well, the 2-53 has a unique sound, all right. I spent many hours on a 435 with a 3-string baler cranked up full.

Stan

[dtoots1]

JimmyDiesel,

On my 440 i often had to adjust both steering clutches...several times..drive it a bit...adjust ....drive it a bit more etc.....all the parts are worn and probably rusted and need to be worked to get back where they need to be to work smoothly..it will come..
Had all new clutches on 1 side only...other side worked great...but both needed adjusted several times...

[jimmydiesel]

dtoots1
Yes Worked it some more today just pulling the levers back enough to let the clutches slip and both sides are better.
The left side is working very good, the right side is better but needs more work and the brake adjusted. Got the air cleaner cleaned up and reinstalled today.

Will get the hydraulic pump and tank on in the next few days and push some dirt.



The old pump driveshaft is on the left new one on the right.

[dtoots1]

on my 420 the sleeve itself ...front half of splines just gone....shaft is fine..bad connector sleeve??? and no disconnect on this..have to take her apart to see issue//

Got420 engine back today ...will see what can do for weekend..leaseways in garage...rain all weekend in forecast...

[jimmydiesel]

The connector sleeve on this one had very little wear on the front/pump side but could have been replaced before.

[jimmydiesel]

Got all the hydraulic system on and working. Pushed up a pile of dirt for 10 minutes. Engine is running strong. Steering clutches have freed up and seem to be good. Still need to adjust the steering brakes. A few odds and ends to clean up, put the belly pans,grill and hood on and put the little dozer to work. The #64 6 way blade is going to be a big improvement over the #602 4 way.

[jimmydiesel]

Got the belly pans,front grille, screen,gauges,start switch on. The left steering clutch is working good so I adjusted the right side to match it. Tightened the steering brakes a little and they are good for now. I thought I would pull the bung hole plug on the left side and see where that adjustment is at. SURPRISE The release cam and carrier bearing sleeve were brazed together where the adjustment bolt should be. When the clutches wear enough to need adjustment the final drive will have to come off to repair that “field fix”.