Nortrac dozer steering problem

/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #21  
What seems to be an inherent problem with these dozers is the design of the sequential linkage for the steering clutch/brake. For the existing system to operate correctly the brake adjustment must be "pre-loaded" tight, meaning that the brake band will always be in contact and rubbing against the drum.
I don't mean to blow my own whistle, but I have re-engineered the linkage system to operate correctly, with significantly less pedal effort and no brake band/drum contact. Details are on the Yuchai/Guilin Community Facebook page.
 
/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #22  
Bob can you tell me or send me something that I to can redo the steering on my NorTrac dozer, I have been fighting it now for two years, thank you
 
/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #23  
Bob can you tell me or send me something that I to can redo the steering on my NorTrac dozer, I have been fighting it now for two years, thank you
As usual, I can never find something when I'm looking for it. Must be on the other 'puter. Do you have the pendulum pedals or are your pedals on the floor boards?
 
/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #24  
As usual, I can never find something when I'm looking for it. Must be on the other 'puter. Do you have the pendulum pedals or are your pedals on the floor boards?
My pedals are in the floor
 
/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #28  
Can't find the files. I'll try to create a new one.
Thank you I’m sorry for all the trouble but the steering needs to be better then what they have on them now. Other then that it does what I need it to do easy
 
/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #29  
Thank you I’m sorry for all the trouble but the steering needs to be better then what they have on them now. Other then that it does what I need it to do easy
It should be noted that the steering system on these machines will never be really great without a complete redesign. Even after Yuchai acquired the dozer from Guilin in the mid-nineties, the only changes have been to switch from an inorganic fibrous friction media to a bonded sintered bronze type disc.(They did try segmented lining on the brake bands but that was a flop). Because of the linkage design, pedal pressure requirements will always be high. The modifications I made to the system makes adjustments very easy, and significantly reduces pedal pressure requirements. The only caveat is that it will require considerable mechanical acumen because there are no step-by-step instructions. So if you want to reap the rewards of a challenging little project, I'll go ahead and recreate the drawing.
 
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/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #30  
It should be noted that the steering system on these machines will never be really great without a complete redesign. Even after Yuchai acquired the dozer from Guilin in the mid-nineties, the only changes have been to switch from an inorganic fibrous friction media to a bonded sintered bronze type disc.(They did try segmented lining on the brake bands but that was a flop). Because of the linkage design, pedal pressure requirements will always be high. The modifications I made to the system makes adjustments very easy, and significantly reduces pedal pressure requirements. The only caveat is that it will require considerable mechanical acumen because there are no step-by-step instructions. So if you want to reap the rewards of a challenging little project, I'll go ahead and recreate the drawing.
I’m willing to work on it, if it’s no trouble to you to send the drawings I’ll at lest will have something to work with and going by your knowledge I should be able to get my dozer steering solution repair thank you
 
/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #31  
I’m willing to work on it, if it’s no trouble to you to send the drawings I’ll at lest will have something to work with and going by your knowledge I should be able to get my dozer steering solution repair thank you
Meanwhile peruse this thread.

 
/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #32  
Here it is as best as I can recall. You will have to do your own measuring. This configuration allows the brake band to be completely slack along with some mechanical advantage. The take-up rate with the cable and block is approximately 1-1/2 times faster than a direct linkage pull. This brings the sequence more in line with what it was intended to do.
Just so you know, I did work up drawings for hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems, and also hydrostatic drive from a skid steer, but those all got lost too. At least I was thinking about it.

Good luck.

PS: The left side is the easiest, suggest you start there and just do one side at a time.


Dozer steering mod.jpg
 
Last edited:
/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #33  
Here it is as best as I can recall. You will have to do your own measuring. This configuration allows the brake band to be completely slack along with some mechanical advantage. The take-up rate with the cable and block is approximately 1-1/2 times faster than a direct linkage pull. This brings the sequence more in line with what it was intended to do.
Just so you know, I did work up drawings for hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems, and also hydrostatic drive from a skid steer, but those all got lost too. At least I was thinking about it.

Good luck.

PS: The left side is the easiest, suggest you start there and just do one side at a time.


View attachment 702297
I think you sir, I’ll try this
 
/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #35  
I haven't tried Bobs modification it looks like a much better system but a much easier option that I have done that works for me is to enlarge the slots in the floor so the steering pedals have more travel this makes it easier to adjust the steering clutchs to disengage before the brake comes on and still have enough travel in the pedal to fully engage the brake
 
/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #36  
I haven't tried Bobs modification it looks like a much better system but a much easier option that I have done that works for me is to enlarge the slots in the floor so the steering pedals have more travel this makes it easier to adjust the steering clutchs to disengage before the brake comes on and still have enough travel in the pedal to fully engage the brake
Maybe Franken should try your mod first. Nice!👍👍👍 Did you have to leave the steering clutch rod slack?
 
/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #37  
Just joined this forum working on a Nortrac 3500 dozer. Took the dozer apart thinking my steering issue was bad clutches or bands as the dozer stopped moving first one side then the other. After disassembling I found the main issue was the arm that is used to release the clutches in the steering brake band had become stuck. It was so gummed up it was not letting the clutches reengage. After spraying the arm and working it for several hours (literally) The arm now moves freely and the clutches engage. Took the dozer all apart for apparently no reason. I ended up messing up the brake band and figured I might as well replace the bands anyway. Wondering if you might not have the same problem. also I figured I include this link. Norton provides a service/ operator manual pdf file. https://www.northerntool.com/images/downloads/manuals/24549.pdf Hope this helps.
 
/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #38  
Just joined this forum working on a Nortrac 3500 dozer. Took the dozer apart thinking my steering issue was bad clutches or bands as the dozer stopped moving first one side then the other. After disassembling I found the main issue was the arm that is used to release the clutches in the steering brake band had become stuck. It was so gummed up it was not letting the clutches reengage. After spraying the arm and working it for several hours (literally) The arm now moves freely and the clutches engage. Took the dozer all apart for apparently no reason. I ended up messing up the brake band and figured I might as well replace the bands anyway. Wondering if you might not have the same problem. also I figured I include this link. Norton provides a service/ operator manual pdf file. https://www.northerntool.com/images/downloads/manuals/24549.pdf Hope this helps.
Welcome Deadman. Good info. It appears that there was a merger between Guilin and Yuchai back in 2012, but it appears no significant changes have been made in the dozer.

 
/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #39  
My Yuchai has also become problematic, as regards the clutch/brake adjustment, and despite attempting to adjust it per instructions, I really could derive no "feel" for what was going on, until I disconnected the linkage and manipulated the two components (clutch and brake) separately.

Then, it became apparent that the throw of the pedal is insufficient to effect the movement needed.

The answer, for me, was to install a pully and cable system which doubles the effective movement of the linkage, at the cost of additional pedal force needed:
a fair trade.

But i fear my clutch lining is paper thin, and I don't want to undertake the repair, as I am a lazy person, and also don't really have the equipment. Plus i have become old, weak, and generally discombobulated.

Now, if Mr. Rooks would move down here, some degree of competence may appear in the vicinity, and I would put on my "pathetic" demeanor and whine for assistance.

Prob'ly wouldn't work, though..
 
/ Nortrac dozer steering problem #40  
Prob'ly wouldn't work, though..
Correct, David. Hahahaha. Sounds like you adopted my pulley system. Glad to hear it.
The only way to determine how much your clutch plates are worn is to compare clutch linkage measurements from new, like measuring track pin wear (which nobody here does). Clutch disc replacement is a time consuming task without a shop manual, to be sure.

Rt steer assy. 1.jpg
 

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