Hydraulic lines done right: M3203T Steel Suction Line
When doing a top notch restoration on a crawler, there’s nothing like straight, dent free hydraulic lines. Sure it’s easier to replace damaged lines with rubber hose, but that’s not original. While we’re not “original” nitpicks, we do like our hydraulic lines to be steel.
So we’ve added to the steel lines we have reproduced: M3203T Discharge Line.
They are used on 420Cs serial number 80000 and up with dual remote hydraulics and 430Cs with single and dual remote hydraulics. Ours are copied from an original OEM to help assure proper fit and function. Head over to our website to get yours.
Check out these new products for your crawler
In development: JD-267 Track Wear Gauge
If you’re wondering how to tell the condition of the undercarriage on your crawler, wonder no longer. John Deere thought about that a long time ago and produced a handy little gauge for checking. It includes sprocket tooth wear, chain height, grouser height, support roller radius, and much more. Originally they would have only given to dealers, but we’re hoping to have them available for you by August or September of this year.
JD-267 Track Wear Gauge
Available now: Hydraulic Pump Idler Shaft
It’s not too unusual for water to make its way into the hydraulic system on the John Deere Dubuque Crawlers. When this happens it can get sucked into the pump and ruin the bearings and the shafts they run on. We’ve had the drive shafts available for a while, but we now have the idler shaft available too. Remember, if there is anything you need, from a simple reseal to a major overhaul, give us a call or check them out anytime on our website.
M1867T Hydraulic Pump Idler Shaft
Featured crawler: A rescued 40C
A lot of people ask where I find crawlers. There are many ways but a lot of times we’re told about them. Most often it’s by customers. That’s the case with this five roller 40C. It belonged to a friend or neighbor, and when the crawler ended up on the estate sale, he gave us a call.
It was a chilly winter day when we picked it up. We couldn’t get the truck to stop sliding on the layer of fresh ice, until the trailer ramps contacted the tracks of the crawler. Then to top it off, the crawler was at the lowest point of the farm and the county road was the highest.
We’re still not sure if we’ll disassemble it for parts or fix it up, but we’re leaning towards fixing it up. There’s nothing rare about it. In fact, this brand of loader got put on a lot of 40C and 420Cs, but it’s still a neat piece of history.
Do you have a favorite crawler in your collection? We’d love to see it!
Send us pictures and information on your favorite crawler and we may feature it in future editions of our newsletter. You can send the information to keepemcrawling@gmail.com.