• Slipping clutches March 03 - 6:05 am

My left steering clutch isn't working properly, I've adjusted the clutches with 3-5 inches of free play. I've drained the oil and rinsed the clutches with kerosene and then brake cleaner. Yet it still won't pull the machine at all, when you pull the right clutch lever all movement stops. Is there any other remedy besides pulling the clutch pack and rebuild? What is a good way to pull the pinion shaft without the proper slide hammer? Also where there not many 7's made? Every discussion I look at involves a 5,6, or larger machine, do I have a red headed step child?
Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get all the info I can. TIA

HII dismantle many hd5,hd6 and hd7 and I had to take off the bolts each side stering cluch and pull it out I suppose your hd7 very old . HECTOR

Depends on which HD-7 you have; 1940 - 1950 did require that you pull the pinion and ring gear shaft but those machines did not have wet clutches. Have you tried operating the machine with the clutch cover off to make sure it is the clutch that is slipping? Could be a broken shaft.

The previous owner told me that it was a 1947. It does not have wet clutches, I had to rinse the clutch packs as they were oil soaked and would hardly move the machine. Now the right side pulls pretty good but the left side is a lame duck. It might be a broken shaft but I haven't found any scrap metal or flakes yet. Would it be possible to make this machine a wet clutch?

HI I am sur theys dozer are dry stering cluch and if he had oil or fuel inside the gone slipped. HECTOR

The way you say , the left side is dead. If this final drive is like the HD5 or HD6, you might have a wiped out intermediate gear in the final drive compartment. Mine did on a HD5. You might at idle and in gear, pull the right clutch back and if it stops moving, left clutch engaged listen for grinding in the left final. Have also seen the cross shaft which the ring gear bolts onto break into at the left case bearing on a 16. In trying this, have the left clutch cover plate removed and have someone behind the dozer look to see if the left clutch drum is turning, if it is , chances are the intermediate gear is wiped. Bob

HI A friend of mine have two old hd 7 stering cluch and I see a center shaft cut with fire. HECTOR

There are no intermediate shaft on the early HD-7 just the pinion and bull gear. The clutch housing cover is on top like the HD-5 and 6, so you should be able to remove the seat and cover and watch the clutch and shafts. The brake drum is connected to the pinion gear shaft; so if it is turning, then there is a problem after the clutch; if the drum is not turning then the clutch is slipping or there is a break before the clutch. Let me know if you need any data from the manual; I can scan pages and email them.

Thanks for your offer Lee, the first thing I did when I got the machine was to get all the manuals for it. I believe it's just the clutch pack slipping as after I washed the left clutch it would pull a little and then I could feel it slip. After that it won't pull at all. I believe the clutches are worn down sufficently to permit them to slip or the tension springs aren't the proper height after 50 years. The only thing I think i'm lacking is a good way to get the pinion shaft out of the clutches and the money to fix it all! lol

In 1987 I bought a 1947 HD7 with a non-functioning left-hand steering clutch. After much effort with a home made slip hammer, I was able to pull the pinion shaft,remove and disasemble the clutch, and replace the fiber discs. The clutch has worked well ever since, but now I am plagued with a bad transmission oil leak from the right hand drain plug. Any ideas on how to stop or slow it down?