old OC-46 questions

[andy b.]

i went to look at an OC-46 today.  i'm actually pretty certain i am going to buy it.  it looks in decent shape (sprockets have a little life left, but pins/bushings definitely need turned, and one chain actually could probably just be replaced).  i figure i would only be using it a few hours every other weekend, so it will last me until i pull it in the shop and work on those items.  the major thing wrong with it is that it doesn't move.  the transmission doesn't make a racket when you "put it in gear", and there were no pieces of metal inside when the tranny cover was pulled (i didn't pull it off, but the owner said he checked it to see if something major exploded in it).  the shifter feels like it is shifting into the various gears and the clutch pedal has a lot of free-play in it.  otherwise the two steering levers feel like thay are functioning.  so what type of problems could i be looking at here?  a clutch?  some bearing or bushing in the transmission?  one of the main shafts in the tranny?  the owner said he asked around and someone mentioned that it was possible for one of the gears to have slipped out of position and now is not allowing the transmission to go into gear.  like i said, it FEELS like it goes into gear, but it doesn't move.  the final drives are free though (you can pull the crawler around like it's in neutral).

any advice is appreciated.  i guess my main concern is what kind of cost could i be looking at?  i can do any labor myself, and will purchase all the manuals if i buy it, but i'm not sure how much the insides of a transmission would go for.  that is the only thing that kept me from hauling it home tonight.

thanks,
andy b.

[mtncrawler]

Sounds like you're buying a project. The current owner should be able to shed some light on the problem if he's being honest with you. Since he pulled the transmission cover to have a look around I think he must have heard something go. One thing that can be easily checked is for a broken axle. With the engine running, in gear, pull back on the steering brakes one side at a time and if the machine moves that's the side you have a problem with.

[Ray]

Check to see if the drive shaft between the trans and the clutch is turning. If not check the reverser trans right behind the cutch.

OC46 usually has a spotturn (clutch disc)type steering system and can be costly to rebuild ($500-$1100)

Maybe someone else has some more ideas.

Good luck
Ray

[andy b.]

thanks for the replies.

i called Ray (THANKS RAY, FOR TAKING THE TIME TO TALK:D:D:D) and then did some more checking.  the driveshaft coming back to the trans isn't turning, and the clutch appears to be stuck.  hopefully all it needs are some clutch parts.  and yes, i did decide to buy it:).  i won't get it home until the beginning of september though, but in the mean time i'm going to order the manuals and start reading.
I'M FINALLY A MEMBER OF THE CLETRAC CLUB!!!!

andy b.