Dead John Deere 855

[CJSuhr]

Looking at getting an older 80s JD 855 track loader. Has anyone been around these machines enough to know much about them?

Need to get it turned 90 degrees and loaded onto a detach lowboy. Can I pull the planetary covers off the back and get the machine to freewheel enough to turn 90 degrees and pull onto a trailer?

This loader has been sitting at least 5 years.

What size machine do I need to try to move this with? Wreckers are expensive so trying to do this cheaper than what I was quoted. Would a large 4wd tractor do it? Or do I need another tracked machine like a track loader, dozer, or excavator?

 

[mg2361]

Welcome to HEF CJ!

I would avoid purchasing one of those. You could end up spending a fortune getting it going, if you can get parts, many of which are now obsolete.

 

[CJSuhr]

Welcome to HEF CJ!

I would avoid purchasing one of those. You could end up spending a fortune getting it going, if you can get parts, many of which are now obsolete.

Hard to pass up a deal that the old lady just wants it out of her yard. Engine parts are available yet, and that’s the first step.

Just want some opinions on best way to move it. I’ve never messed with a machine this heavy before.

 

[Diesel Dave]

The towing procedure below is in the Operstors manual. You may have to put the neutral lock lever (on the front of the left console) in the run position.
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[CJSuhr]

The towing procedure below is in the Operstors manual. You may have to put the neutral lock lever (on the front of the left console) in the run position.
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View attachment 321958

Yes I am familiar with this procedure, however I am worried about the chances of the brakes not “pumping” up, being that the machine has sat for a considerable amount of time, and possibility of not having any fluid there to prime that pump.

It’s something I’m going to try, but if it fails I think my next step is to pull the planetaries.

What are the chances the tracks are siezed? Will they want to roll being that have sat that long or will it be a fight the first few times around?

 

[Diesel Dave]

The planetary cover is also the mount for the track sprockets. Screenshot below.
The chances that the tracks will be seized is very high.
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[CJSuhr]

The planetary cover is also the mount for the track sprockets. Screenshot below.
The chances that the tracks will be seized is very high.
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View attachment 321962

So it’s not possible to pull the planetaries without also pulling the sprockets.

Besides the park release, are there any other east options for freewheeling the machine? Doesn’t appear to me that there is but I haven’t been around any of these machines

 

[Diesel Dave]

You could pressurize the park brakes.
Remove the 12” square rear plate at the very back of the machine.
Just below the opening should be 1/2 “ tube with a tee to connect the 2 final drive park brakes. Plumb in some fittings , 200 psi should be plenty.

 

[CJSuhr]

You could pressurize the park brakes.
Remove the 12” square rear plate at the very back of the machine.
Just below the opening should be 1/2 “ tube with a tee to connect the 2 final drive park brakes. Plumb in some fittings , 200 psi should be plenty.

If I do this do I need to run constant pressure, or can I remove the T and make a closed line with a valve running to both the park brakes, so I could pressure up with a tractor or possibly a porta-power

 

[bam1968]

Honestly, if she just wants it out of there I would take a cutting torch and a skid loader. Start making trips to the scrap yard. From my experience with those machines you would be money ahead in the long run. I'm not trying to be a "Debbie Downer" and I'm all about getting a machine up and running that has been sitting. That all being said, if you are dead set on getting it to free wheel I would prob try using a porta power to release the brakes.

 

[Diesel Dave]

If I do this do I need to run constant pressure, or can I remove the T and make a closed line with a valve running to both the park brakes, so I could pressure up with a tractor or possibly a porta-power

As bam1968 suggested a porta power would work .
Screenshot of park brake pressure tube and hose layout from parts catalog below.
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[CJSuhr]

As bam1968 suggested a porta power would work .
Screenshot of park brake pressure tube and hose layout from parts catalog below.
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View attachment 321989

So it looks like best way would to unhook the #1 hoses and put a T in with the third end hooked to the porta-power.

Those hoses should be easily accessible in the back cover of the machine you talked about earlier?

Once the brakes are released and it freewheels, what kind of machine do you think I would need to move it?

Would a large 4wd tractor do it and turn it 90 degrees? Or would I need a large tracked machine like another track loader or dozer or excavator?

 

[Dave Neubert]

Wonder why it was setting in the first place sounds like a money pit

 

[bam1968]

As far as what you would need to move it, a big 4wd should get the job done if it is all pretty level ground. It might struggle if it has to be pulled up hill. I would be concerned with how you are going to get it on a lowboy. It would be nice to get the bucket a couple feet off the ground. Otherwise putting it in float should at least take the pressure off if you are pulling it on detach from the rear of the machine. Whatever you do, don't dump a bunch of money in this machine. You can get upside down real fast even if it was given to you for removing it from the property.

 

[CJSuhr]

As far as what you would need to move it, a big 4wd should get the job done if it is all pretty level ground. It might struggle if it has to be pulled up hill. I would be concerned with how you are going to get it on a lowboy. It would be nice to get the bucket a couple feet off the ground. Otherwise putting it in float should at least take the pressure off if you are pulling it on detach from the rear of the machine. Whatever you do, don't dump a bunch of money in this machine. You can get upside down real fast even if it was given to you for removing it from the property.

Bucket is already up on the machine, will have to let it down some just to get to move it.

Once I get it moving I think I should be able to just pull it onto the detach. Might take a little bit going from side to side of the trailer to keep it straight, but that is the easy part in my opinion.

And yes I understand the situation about this being a money pit, shouldn’t take much to get the engine going. Once it’s running again I will do a general service with fresh hydraulic and filters, and try it out. If it doesn’t work then it’s headed to the scrap yard or the salvage.

 

[Cat977]

Trouble is when a person gets going on something its hard to quit because you feel like you've failed its in your yard and there's no Cat guys wanting the parts! If it was a great machine like a 977 preferably with the SALT tracks & split link, it would be different. What about getting it going in her yard? I feel bad saying get it in writing (what's the harm). Cousin stops by its running...

 

[Cat977]

What about barring the engine over or put in fresh batteries. If it doesn't spin...

 

[CJSuhr]

What about barring the engine over or put in fresh batteries. If it doesn't spin...

Fuel system needs work, missing some parts I have sourced already from local salvage yard. It will not run the way it is. Possible that it would at least turn over with some batteries but won’t gain me anything where it’s at. Better in my mind just move it and fix later.

 

[Cat977]

I have a John Deere 450C that snuck into my place a long time ago. It's a nice machine but the dealer is quite a long ways away. Hopefully this machine was parked for a silly reason.

 

[Diesel Dave]

So it looks like best way would to unhook the #1 hoses and put a T in with the third end hooked to the porta-power.
Those hoses should be easily accessible in the back cover of the machine you talked about earlier?

Yes