Traxcavator 955 12A - the next phase

[Bill Glenn]

Here is the latest update on my 955 12A project… where I try to free up the diesel that may have seized due to little or no oil pressure. Currently, the pony motor will hardly even move the diesel due to it being tight. I tried to feed it some oil using a “pipe bomb” device – party filled with oil and 40PSI of air on it – plumbed in to the header pipe where the oil gage connects. It made no difference. So, today I dropped the belly pans and got ready to drain the oil. Next I’ll remove the inspection covers on both sides of the oil pan to see if there is a sign of bearing (rods & mains) problem. I have been told that the first to fail are the rod bearings. None the less – there is a very good possibly that the pan will have to come off / down.
Please review my sequence for pan removal if you would:
1) Remove the 6 large bolts (3 each side) that connect the cross axle to the engine structure.
2) Remove the center pivot pin that connects the engine to the cross axle.
3) Jack the engine / entire tractor up (pivoting about the finals drives) and place blocks under the cross axle & engine structure connection point to hold the engine upward – probably 8”.
4) At this point I should be able to remove the oil pan and get it down out onto the ground.
5) All the while be on the look-out for another GOOD 955 12A that could be my main tractor – with the one I am working on being a parts tractor.
Has any one ever gotten into one of these machines this far?!?! My thought is that if the rod bearings (and / or main bearings) got tight from lack of oil - I can polish the crank-up and replace the bearing inserts and have a usable machine. The hope is the cam & pistons etc. haven’t sustained damage. So there you have it for today. And if you can… review my above methods please.

[Old Magnet]

I don't follow your procedure.
If you can jack the engine high enough you may be able to pull the pan over the top of the cross member after pulling the pivot pin (and lube line) but I don't believe that is a practical solution.
If not there are 18 bolts holding the cross member to the track trucks that need to be removed before removing the cross member for pan removal clearance. Be sure to keep track of the shims used to locate the cross member within the track trucks.

It's to soon to bank on a recovery plan until you inspect for damage, check clearances and locate source of the problem. For sure you will want to pull and check the oil pump and the brass shear pin on the drive gear.

[8C 361]

I would start by removing the inspection covers, they are quite large and you may be able to get a good idea what you are up against in there. It sounds like the rest of the tractor is in pretty good shape, you might think about looking for a good engine out of a U series D4.

Tom

[SJ]

Bill, first take the oil filter element out and cut it apart and see if there is metal parts in it.If so then it sounds like you would have some rod or main bearings gone bad.

[Old Magnet]

Was thinking if there is no oil pressure (as in pump failure) the bearing material may have never made it to the filters.

[Bill Glenn]

Old Magnet,
That’s true... the oil filter showed no metal particles inside or out.
As I understand it… when an aluminum rod / main bearing fail, due to lack of oil, it begins to flake and the flakes wedge tight around the journal(s). That's what makes the engine "lock-up".
Has anyone else ever heard this?!?!

[Bill Glenn]

My soon to be work area... Note the cross member that I have to lift the engine up over to get the oil pan off.

[Old Magnet]

Your picture doesn't do justice to the overall shape of the cross member.
I have seen grown men cry trying to wrestle the oil pans off of Ht4's and 955's.
Some even concluded it couldn't be done without gas axe assistance. Pretty easy to see that the loader was built around the tractor when you try to take it apart.

Doesn't help that there is no service manual specifically describing the loader.

Most the bearing failures I've seen were a combination of smear and flaking. Pounding out chunks or flakes seems more common to babbitt type bearings but there is no specific set of events.

[edb]

Hi Team,
have at last now found my Service Information Form as above for the 955 Traxcavator.
It details "how to" for this machine and I guess was the forerunner for the Official Service Manual for this unit. It is used in conjunction with the Engine and Tractor SRM's --4 1/2" bore 4 cylinder and D4.
Scanned below is the section for pan removal.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Eddie B.

[steve n carol]

You asked and you received!
How cool is that?
All that's needed now is to spread your tools out on the ground (for Reggie to reach) so he can retrieve the wrench you ask for!

BTW, I think that edb's post is in some way, pay-back for you winter's work helping your neighbors....sl