She's home!

Got my girl home Friday. HD16. Runs strong and sound greats. Going over it all day today. Here is what I have done today and found out.

1. Completely cleaned tracks and UC. Found no damage, drive sprockets look very good. A lot of slop in the tracks but pleased that it has hydraulic adjusters and not mechanical.

2. The Track Release Housing with the large screw plug in the side appears to be very low. No fluid visible and nothing can be found with finger and probe trying to find fluid level. Am I correct that the fluid should be at the bottom of the opening? 90wt oil?

3. Steering clutches/handles Don't have much of an effect on steering without using brake pedal. Fluid checked out good and full. Would low oil in track release housing/final drive have an effect on the steering clutches? I hope that is the case. If that is not it, can't someone steer me to some other possiblilities to look at. Screens or filters maybe?

Overall pleased with everything I am finding considering that the owner did little or no regular maintenance. Grease fitting rusted over and frozen, already replaced 6. Tracks very sloppy. Finding numerous bolts loose. Again, all easy to fix. Looking forward to any insight into the connection between the steering clutches and the almost empty final drive/track release housing ( both sides both tracks).

I sure will and thank you

Thank you Steve M. I ran s few different dozers in the 70's. I never recalled having to use the brake pedals that much. Smaller dozers like John Deere 450 and 350's.

I loaded the HD 16 one he lowboy for the driver and first time on this machine. Previous owner said when you a pushing a load you don't hardly need foot brakes just steering levers. Would love to confirm this one. The adventure continues.

Thank you.

Well here is my plan for the 16. Going to focus on one area at a time. First thing yo get corrected are the tracks. Looks like they have not been adjusted in years. Hydraulic track tensioners. On the left side, there appears to be plenty of adjustment as the plunger is flush with housing. Took a couple of hours to replace rusted grease fitting and started to pump with a good grease gun. All at once there was a loud bang and I started to see the plunger move out. Grease fitting broke off and I stopped on that track.

On the right side the fitting took grease and after almost a whole tube of grease,, grease started to push out under and around the end of the adjustment ram. Must be a bad deal. Ram after all of this never moved. How much adjustment is there on these adjustment rams.. of note also. Both track release resovoirs are almost empty I think. I took the plug out on the side and couldn't find any evidence of oil in either of them. Will this impact being able to adjust the tracks?

HELP ME OBIWAN YOUR'E MY ONLY HOPE.

I agree DMILLER.

When I get the tracks fixed up I will look into the steering levers. Maybe an adjustment or filters plugged. Any help from the group with ideas of what to check would be very welcome.

Had several hd6's over the years, always used the brakes when turning. Congrats on your new purchase.

Edited by HD6GTOM - 21 Aug 2017 at 12:22am

Thank you for responding Ray 54. On my HD16 the "track release" is connected to the track adjustment. If you are standing facing the tracks it is connected as part of the track tensioner. It's to the rear of the track and the adjustment piston and the end of the adjustment rod connects to it. It's a covered unit with a fill plug on it. One on each track on the frame and requires 4.5 gallons of 90# oil in it. I have the parts book and operators manuals that came with the tractor. Ordered a shop manual already. Not sure what it does. Thank you again for responding.

HD6GTOM wrote: Had several hd6's over the years, always used the brakes when turning. Congrats on your new purchase.

Thank you very much. excited to play with her. I enjoy getting her cleaned up and checking all the bolts, fittings, hoses, fluids. Took a full day to really clean the tracks and UC. I don't think the previous owner every took a shovel to the tracks. Some of what is was taking off I had to use a maul and a chisel. Neglected. Glad to say this old girl will never sleep under the stars, rain or snow again. Got her in my barn.

Lewischaz1092 wrote: http://www.hendersonmfgco.com/products/prod_hydra.htm. Lot of good under carriage parts weld on sprocket etc they are out of texas, I priced new hydraulic adjusters for my hd6 they were 500$ a side sure the hd16 will be more but seem to be a pretty good company to deal with

thank you very much. Great Intel.    

Biggest challenge is finding a source of parts and help. Like this forum. Thanks again.

We ARE THE BIG GUYS! Lolol