"Neil" wrote:

That's a Cat CCU if my eyesight is true, maybe a 23 or 25. Uncle August, on tractors where the brake drum also contains the steering clutch pack, sometimes the clutch can be freed by riding the brake on that side until it's hot (meaning smoke pouring out of it HOT) with the clutch lever held back, and applying a heavy load, like you'd get from dropping that scraper bowl into the dirt a few times. I'm not familiar with how the steering and brakes are set up on your tractor so this technique may not apply.
If it does and it works, it can save disassembly etc.

Hello Neil,
Thanks for the hot brake suggestion, and that is the way this tractor is set up. I will try adding that to the mix. Last time I ran the tractor, I was making all left turns, pulling the right clutch a lot, and trying to work the tractor hard, but I never used the brake as a heat generator. I would (reluctantly) say that I was operating abusively, in hopes of avoiding disassembly, but not excessively heating up the brake in the process.
I find it interesting that an IT consultant in New York would recognize a Caterpillar 25 CCU, refer to the "scraper bowl" AND have an idea on freeing a stuck steering clutch! I can only think of about one (almost old) person within 50 miles of my rural Eastern Washington farming community who might be able to duplicate that. Is there farming or construction in your background? It's a little muddy out there for scraper operation right now, but I might try something along those lines before resorting to disassembly.
Thanks again!

"Bruce wrote:

That’s great!! Looks like a farm cat with a ccu on the back? Or is it a bee Gee hydraulic unit? At any rate if you can hook it up to something that will load it good ( like that scraper) you might get lucky and get the clutch to release. I’ve heard of driving around with the brake applied slightly to make some heat helps.

Are you by chance located in the PNW??

Good luck

BP.

You are correct. It is a farm tractor, owned by a farmer, and that is a Cat CCU. The scraper is a LeTourneau Model M, I believe. A few years ago I discovered that a copy of the scraper, with a #25 CCU sitting in the bowl, had been scrapped. It had been located just a few miles from me, and when land changed hands it was not valued by the new owners. Needless to say, I was not pleased to learn this! I would like to have a similar sized scraper operated hydraulically, and might have taken that one as a project, or at least saved it and the CCU from the stinkin' scrappers! It was SO CLOSE, I could have gone after it with a wheel tractor and had it home within a few hours (assuming no tire changes were needed) The design of this LeTourneau doesn't look as readily adaptable to hydraulics as I think something like a Cat 60 would be, but there's probably a way. The scraper pictured made its way into my family around 1972 in a farm auction, and I had acquired the CCU some time later, both before the D6B.
I guess I should put some information in my profile, but to answer your question, Hartline, Washington is my home, so we are practically neighbors! Thanks for the suggestion. I had tried heavy loading and somewhat abusive operation with frequent clutch lever operation, but not using the brake for heat. Maybe that will do the trick. It will be a while before things are dry enough here, but one way or another I really want to get this thing going.

To any interested, I haven't figured out quite how these threads work, what mode of reply to use and who sees what. I replied to Neil and Bruce P "with quote", but don't yet see either appearing publicly. Anyhow that is a 25 Caterpillar Cable Control Unit on the D6 B, and a LeTourneau scraper designed to match the Cat D6, probably 9U or earlier. It is a good match for this tractor, and works well, but I could always use more power and traction. I believe the scraper is a model M, but right where that information should be, the ID plate has been damaged.

By the way, I was having trouble getting the site to take my registration, and kept trying different things. My first name is actually Duane, but eventually I gave up and tried something else. My dad used to talk about "Uncle August", so I just threw that in, and OOPS, it worked. I think maybe that is the one thing I can't change...

tie that right clutch lever back so its always in the disengaged position when your pulling a heavy load[---would also help if you tied the machine to a tree in the front so you can put a reverse torque on the steering clutch

Like it was said before, work it realy hard and disengage the clutch, mabe then the big power of the engine will free the clutch.
i heard guys connecting the tractor to a big load or, apply and adjust clutch lever so its maximum disenagaged, then go forward and then let the weight of tractor fall in the chain connected to the big load and shockload the clutch free. it is normaly rust that is holding the several clutch plates togetter/sticking. please try it first before majordisasembly, and let us know .

Hey Uncle, we can see your posts just fine. If you wish to post a video, the best way is to put it on YouTube then attach the link here. If you’d like to join Chapter 14 send me a pm. On the bright side if you do have to yard the clutch, you one have to pull the offending clutch, not the whole cross shaft. My old Ag teacher did his student teaching at ACH. Small world lol.

BP.

Congrats on getting it running ! Keep checking all fluids ( starter pinion, finals etc.) it would be a shame to burn something expensive up until you know what's what.

As far as tieing it to a tree .... You have a "tree" attached to it haha. Lower the blade on that scraper and load it up with dirt! Muddy ? Even better. It's amazing what those scrapers can clean up when almost nothing else will work.

Keep us posted

"Uncle wrote:

I was able to start the engine today, after several hours of effort over a few days. Would like to post video of it running, but haven't figured out how to do that.
Now I have the stuck steering clutch to deal with. I suppose that will require removal and disassembly. Any suggestions to try first?
Thanks for your help so far, and for any new suggestions.

Getting one awake from a long slumber is a warm and fuzzy feeling. Congratulations. That is a clean D6B.
Did you check the oil level in the booster unit for the steering? Very difficult to pull the steering levers (clutch engaged and engine running) if low on oil. Good luck and have fun. Juiceman