1951 MC Crawler gearing

Gearhead · Post by **Gearhead** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:34 pm

I have just purchased a really nice 1951 MC Crawler. I have tried to use my tractor for some very light blade work only. It seems to me that the tractor is geared too high. The only gear that I can possibly use for blading is 1st gear. 2nd is not even an option for any kind of working and is barely low enough to allow the tractor to move reasonably on flat ground. I know that the excavator that sold it to me said that he was getting rid of it because the only gears that could be used for working were 1st and reverse.
I know that the tractor was once restored but then not used for twenty years which is good because it is in relatively pristine condition. I know that there is a wheeled version of the M series tractor so I suspect that when it was restored they used final drive gears for a wheel tractor or got the ratio wrong some way. Is this even possible??? Are there other ratios that are available for this tractor? I couldn't even imagine trying to plow with it. Can anyone offer an opinion? What do you think Lavoy? Thank you in advance folr your input.

CCWKen · Post by **CCWKen** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:08 pm

I was thinking I had a problem with my 420 until I found out the shift pattern was not what I was expecting. It is NOT like an auto so you may want to be sure you've checked the shift pattern. Just a thought.

Post by **Lavoy** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:14 pm

Something is funny. 1st gear is so slow as to be almost useless, 2nd gear should only be 2 1/4 MPH give or take, less if you are throttled back some. 2nd is normally a nice dozing speed, and if you are in close to a building or something, throttle way back, or use low.
Only gears that maybe could be changed is some of the trans gears, would take some looking at a parts book to tell for sure.
Lavoy

Gearhead · Post by **Gearhead** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:58 pm

Thank You for your responses
I really value your input in this. To hear you say that 1st is so low as to be almost useless is very validating because that is definately not the case with this tractor. I was fortunate enough to get the service manual for the MC and also the M series wheeled version. After I tryped the initial inquiry I took out my manuals and looked closely at both versions. It looks like there is a differential ring gear and pinion that are adjusted in the usual way with shims and spacers. The pinion however appears to be a part of the transmission as it is quite long and has a pretty wild spline fir gears to slide on.
My next question for the forum is; are there any sources for a ring gear and pinion set for this MC? Any leads on where I could find new or used ring gear and pinion for this tractor that did in fact come out of a crawler? The clutch also seems to be going because of the high gearing so leads on those parts would be good too.

Post by **Lavoy** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 8:05 am

I have either ring and pinions, or complete transmissions on the shelf.
I usually keep a couple of engine clutches on the shelf at all times as well. Give me call if you need any parts, or e-mail or PM.
Lavoy

Gearhead · Post by **Gearhead** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:54 pm

Lavoy
Good to know. I am currently building a home for the little gem so will take the back cover off and count the ring gear when I have a dry place for it.
I had been talking with you about an MC that you had but I assume it went to Texas before I could get the scratch together. This one came to me as a fluke and was only 100 miles from my house so couldn't resist. Now I have the bug too and was strongly tempted to go for that 420C that was on e-bay recently. Gotta keep the girlfriend happy. She gets the loft of the shop, I get downstairs. Maybe I can parlay that into a 420C someday!!!

Post by **Lavoy** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 8:00 pm

Seems like there have been a few crawlers on E-bay lately. One of the last ones on there I am sure was being bid in.
Lavoy

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