I've got an old 1973 John Deere 450B. I had the steering clutches and brakes replaced a couple of years ago. It only has maybe 100hrs on it since they were replaced. The right side started grabbing like the brake was locking up. It was worse going forward, not as bad backing. But before the brake started grabbing the right side steering clutches pretty much quit working. I was trying to finish a small job on my place so I used the left side only (before brake problem). Once the brake started grabbing I had to park it. I finally went back and got it free enough to get it out of the woods and back to the shop. Once I got it apart I found a spring on the top that goes to the brake that is broken, but my real concern is when engaged the throw out bearing is barely touching the cluthes. I assume there is an adjustment on that but ran out of time before I could determine that. Thought maybe one of you guys would know

Sorry I can't help, but I will offer my sympathy. It was sure a happy day for me when I saw my D3 leave the farm on somebody else's trailer. I really got tired of constantly working on that thing.

I hear ya. Other than the steering clutches and brakes being replaced and the problem I'm having now, this thing has held together pretty good. It was an old forestry tractor originally, so I'm sure it was well maintained before I got it. If it will hold together long enough for me to clean up about 25 more acres, it would be a blessing. I have about 15 acres that was cut about 4 years ago, that the stumps are mostly rotten, that I need to clear. Then about 10 acres of 10 yr old over grown clearcut that I would like to finish clearing as well.

I believe these are dry clutch dozers. If you let it set that long the brakes probably rusted and broke something in there when you kept using it.

You're probably gonna have to split the tracks and pull the final drive to get at everything. It'll have to be broke down, cleaned up, and whatever let go replaced. Break out the check book....

Nope don't have to pull the final drive on these....That's the 350...Good news there. Just split the track and pull the sprocket.

This should help...
http://www.jdcrawlers.com/messagebo...order=asc&highlight=450b&start=0

Need manuals...
http://www.johndeeretechinfo.com/index.cfm?event=productDetails&product_id=40817&

http://www.johndeeretechinfo.com/index.cfm?event=productDetails&product_id=281576&#

With it not engaging like it should, I'd say you have a rust issue.
You've got a good machine...They're just a little touchy when it comes to steering clutches. They just need to be moved around from time to time, keeps things like this from happening. If you decide to get rid of it at some point, let me know. Love these old machines!
Good luck with it!

Thanks for the replys. I'm pretty sure the brake grabbing and the clutch not working was two different problems. There is a spring on top and bottom of the brake that keeps it open; the end rusted off, and broke, causing the brake to close and grab. But the clutch isn't engaging becuase the throw out bearing is barely touching the clutch pack when engaged. I hope there is a way to adjust that without taking everything out. I'm hoping it's just an adjustment of the arm that engages the throw out bearing. Do you guys know if there is an adjustment on that? There is an adjuster at the top that adjust the brake and the clutch, but I'm hoping there is another adjustment that positions the bearing closer to the clutch pack before it's engaged...

Is this the one where you have two sticks in front of you ....stick steer

Do you have to remove the seat to get to the clutches