Hello all! I've bought a 933f cat serial #42a4399 that I was told had an issue with the final drive. I've taken top cover of to inspect the main clutch and it appears operational. The machine runs fine but makes no attempt to pull itself.  By looking it appears that I'll need to remove the top to the rear which has the transmission shifter and other levers coming out of it? The forward/reverse lever grinds both ways whether the main clutch is engaged or not with the engine running. Is this normal or a symptom of the issue I'm having? Service manual is on the way, but I'm trying to get ahead before daylight saving changes and bites me in the keester.  Any input is appreciated.

Remove the floor plate hover the drive shaft and check condition brake cluch

If you suspect final drive failure remove the FD Drain plugs, drain the oil and check for metal pieces. That should pretty much tell the story.

The neighbor to the old feller that owned machine said he thought he said that something he had welded didn't hold. Any ideas of something breaking in the final drive that he could have welded? When I pull the fd plugs, there shouldn't any fluids ideally since this has dry clutches if I'm thinking correctly?

No final drive drain plugs are lower down on inside vertical face of the housings. Steering clutch drain plugs are horizontal under the steering clutches.
Haven't a clue on the weld failure question.

Probably dead shaft, loose bearing cup or sprocket loose on the splines.

do you have a bore-scope camera if you remove the plugs and drain the fluids you might be able by passing the camera in via the drain port to get a view of what the problem is. and a video may help those experienced on your model with diagnosis. it might allow you to see without dismantling the damn thing too much.

I do have a bore scope and thanks for the idea. Thank everyone for their input. I knew there were issues with the machine but after putting 2 batteries on it and listening to it run, I was willing to try to repair it. I've got my manual now so now its time to call in the favors my brother owes me! Thanks again!

If there was an issue with one final drive , wouldn't there other side still try to move? There is no movement at all. As I said before when the forward/reverse lever is pulled, it grinds whether the main clutch is engaged or not.

our d4 would grind some times when engaging a gear. could be rpm not quite matched for the gear to engage smoothly mind you our machine is a manual trans.

yes if only one side had a issue normally the machine would at least try and drive the other track. so it might be in between the finals and the transmission. or the trans itself.
im only guessing here some on with much more knowledge is needed.
if the steering clutches and brakes are not working as they should that can be a issue they might not be connecting the drive to the finals.