Run the engine and note knocks, weird noises, excessive smoke. Check track tension.You must have each track tensioner hold the track taught, or you will drop tracks.To buy new tensioners, you are looking at $300 each.not crazy for a dozer, but you must need tensioners that hold their pressure.Often these can easily be repacked (I did one) for less than $50 each (parts).and this will do a great job to hold the track taught. Check back sprocket.You do not want sharp edits to the teeth.You will drop tracks all the time.You can get replacements for idler and sprockets and these are replaceable. Check front idler for even where on each side.Looking directly from back you should see an even amount of flange on each side. Grouser pads.you gotta have some wear left in them to push and pull.But a general farm/personal use doesn't need much.Hilly areas definitely need more to hold the machine on a hill. Try to drive machine and turn very hard right and left and go in circles a few times each way.Note any difference in left/right effort to hold the turn.If it's sloppy or doesn't turn.this is a BIG problem that would require a professional estimate. Look carefully at all undercarriage bolts, to the frame.including look under the seat at all bolts to see if they are present and firm. Try to shake with your hand each roller.If they wobble and aren't firm, you need new rollers.not a deal breaker as they are easily available in new aftermarket parts. You never want to break off a bolt head! Let PB Blaster work generously and sit for an hour or two.Keep hitting it (go have a beer), then hit it with heat generously to free up the bolts. This bracket holds the machine to the tracks.4 bolts on outside.I think 2 on inside.The quality of this steel is softer than the bolts used to hold it down.It takes a beating.Not that looseness is bad, but you should be aware of it.If bolts are missing that is bad.as it shows a complete lack of care for the machine.If they are there and loose, you can shim and/or weld the bolts to firm it up.If you attempt to take bolts off.make sure to use plenty of PB Blaster (let sit for hours and hit 2-3x) AND use a torch to loosen the bolts. Look at the bolts on the frame rail to track bracket. Clear the mud away! Or ask owner to powerwash the unit before you show up and look at it.That should be a minimal thing they do so you can get a good look at any machine. Things to look for on 350's of all types: I wouldn't touch it.I have a John Deere 350C with wet clutches which are more reliable.Not that 350B models are bad, but if they have been sitting forever or are hurting the transmission work can be very expensive. We're happy to answer questions, but you can ask better questions of us if you are a little more informed I know there are several thread s that are very helpful and got into a lot of detail on this. I would suggest you do a search in the archives about looking at/purchasing new crawlers and what to look for on 350s. I know the price seems right but you could easily put another $10K or more into this crawler after you purchase it to make it fully functional, depending on the other likely undisclosed issues. Then there are all the other issues Ken mentioned. I agree with the assessment of condition by Ken- that left track looks like the adjuster is fully out and the track is still loose so likely the pins/bushings in the track are totally shot. You might want to read up in the archives about selecting a dozer versus crawler- if you have a lot of trees you want to clear a loader may be better than a dozer for you. You've done the first thing that I always ask, which is what are your objectives/uses for the crawler.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |