Moving a stuck engine/clutch tractor

[staninlowerAL]

I need to move a JD M that the engine and clutch is stuck, the owner (son of a longtime friend who is now deceased) says it will not roll. I don't see why it can not be shifted into neutral and roll it on a trailer but I may be missing something, which is not unusual for me. Price is right (cost of pickup and transporting about 15 miles) so I'm going to give it a shot. Any comments?

[tldec50]

Stan,the brakes probably stuck if it will not roll in neutral.I bought a mt couple years ago with a stuck clutch.
I tied the clutch petal down with a tie down strap,put in 1 gear hooked my 12000 lb winch to the drawbar and winched onthe trailer about half way up the ramps the clutch released.if it sits for a month it will sticks but will work ok after a couple feet of driving.use it with a Bush hog runs great now.the brakes have a rotating lock to set brakes for parking.yours may be set and frozen/rusty.




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[staninlowerAL]

Thanks. I guess it's just a matter of trying it to see what happens. I guess I should be used to this by now, everything I have was abandoned in some form or another. Curious about your '55 crawler, is it a 420? Mine is a '56 420C. I've got the paper manuals if you need any information.

[tldec50]

It is a 5 roller 40.It had a 330 engine in it and I have put a 420 engine in it..s/n plate was missing so don't know s/n I added the pto and it works good Bush hogging in a section of pasture where I am fighting the thorns,no flat tire yet

[staninlowerAL]

Sounds like the perfect solution to the flat tire problem, probably one of a kind. (You might consider a patent, DEERE is always looking for innovative improvement ideas.) I'll bet you get a lot of comments when folks see it in operation!! My 420C does not have any top rollers and is a PIA to keep the track tension like it should be without problems with the final drives.

[tldec50]

Did you get the. M. Home? What was stuck? Yes the 40c is a work of art,bought it at an estate sale couple years ago in Agusta,ga the po installed a rollcage from a 350 crawler loader which has been a life saver a couple times and yes it does get attention when in operation.I have shop manuals on the 40c and my. Parts catalog is on line at jdpc.com just add your model # and it's there,been a lifesaver.

[staninlowerAL]

Not yet. Supposed to meet the owner on Wednesday (if he's available).

[Slim140]

Y’all talking about these crawlers reminded me years ago I wanted a 420c with a blade, 3 point hitch & PTO. As far as I got was the 1/16th scale and this owners manual. It’s the only manual I have with the brown envelope. I got over my crawler wants, I think.

[tldec50]

Y’all talking about these crawlers reminded me years ago I wanted a 420c with a blade, 3 point hitch & PTO. As far as I got was the 1/16th scale and this owners manual. It’s the only manual I have with the brown envelope. I got over my crawler wants, I think.

They are great but the old saying there is no cheap bulldozer,is true when I needed a upper roller bracket when a tree hit and broke it pushing a pile of brush up on a burn pile,and dreading the day when steering clutches wearout.---Tim

[staninlowerAL]

Finally made the run to get the M today. Air in the tires and wenched it on the trailer. It's rough and will need lots of TLC. The PO was a good friend who has passed and no one wanted to do anything with this tractor so it followed me home. We'll investigate and see what all is wrong and what's needed to make it run. I have noticed that the manifold is rusted badly and will need replacing. First priority is to get the engine turning over. Picts to follow later. Stan

[Slim140]

Stan, does the manifold look like this? If it’ll fit send me a PM.

[tldec50]

That manifold will fit it is for the underslung exhaust from a 420 . Stan I have a complete engine for a jd330 which is the same as the m and 40 tractors if you need any parts.also a 6v Delco Remy generator. My mt will get water thru the exhaust can not leave in weather

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[staninlowerAL]

Thanks for the info. I haven't got the hood off yet, just finished unloading. It's SN 47826 which makes it a late 1951 from tractordata.com site. I can see it's vertical exhaust and the manifold has 2 holes about the size of a quarter, maybe larger. Maybe I'll get a better look at things in a few days. Just a thought, is it possible the manifold would fit if rotated 180 degrees for the vertical exhaust?

[tldec50]

No the carburetor would be upside down,

[staninlowerAL]

DUH!! I should have figured that out!! I'm hot and tired. It's been a long day. Beats paying a shrink though. I'll sleep good tonight!! One more idea, what about converting to a underslung exhaust? Seems that would work (if everything else fits.)