6 hours ago
The John Deere 850C is a durable and capable bulldozer, popular for its reliability in heavy construction, land clearing, and mining operations. As with any equipment, when purchasing a used John Deere 850C, it's important to understand both its potential and the common maintenance issues that may arise. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to refresh your machine, this guide will delve into the essential aspects of owning and maintaining a 1998 John Deere 850C bulldozer.
Overview of the John Deere 850C Bulldozer
The John Deere 850C is part of Deere’s 850 series, a line known for its powerful performance in tough conditions. The 850C model, in particular, was built in the late 1990s and is recognized for its robust engine and reliable hydraulics. It offers a solid balance between performance, fuel efficiency, and ease of operation, making it a popular choice for a wide range of industries, including construction, forestry, and agriculture.
The 1998 model comes equipped with:
Key Considerations When Buying a Used John Deere 850C
When buying a 1998 John Deere 850C, there are several key factors to consider to ensure that you are making a good investment.
Even well-maintained machines will have some common issues as they age. Here are some of the most frequently encountered problems with the 1998 John Deere 850C and how to address them.
Many owners of the 1998 John Deere 850C bulldozer look for ways to upgrade their machines to improve performance or comfort. Some common upgrades include:
An operator shared a story about his 1998 John Deere 850C bulldozer, which had intermittent hydraulic failures. After running the bulldozer for a few hours, the blade would sometimes stop responding to joystick inputs. Upon inspection, the hydraulic pump was found to be leaking, and the fluid levels were low. Replacing the pump and refilling the system with the correct hydraulic fluid resolved the issue, and the bulldozer was back in action.
Conclusion: Maintaining the 1998 John Deere 850C
The 1998 John Deere 850C bulldozer is a powerful and reliable piece of machinery when properly maintained. By keeping up with regular maintenance checks—such as monitoring the tracks, hydraulic system, engine, and transmission—you can ensure that your bulldozer runs smoothly for many years. Addressing common issues promptly and upgrading key features will further extend the lifespan of this excellent machine.
When buying a used 850C, always inspect the key components mentioned above, and consider investing in quality parts for any replacements. With the right care and attention, your John Deere 850C bulldozer will continue to serve you well, whether you're working on construction sites, land clearing, or other heavy-duty applications.
Overview of the John Deere 850C Bulldozer
The John Deere 850C is part of Deere’s 850 series, a line known for its powerful performance in tough conditions. The 850C model, in particular, was built in the late 1990s and is recognized for its robust engine and reliable hydraulics. It offers a solid balance between performance, fuel efficiency, and ease of operation, making it a popular choice for a wide range of industries, including construction, forestry, and agriculture.
The 1998 model comes equipped with:
- Engine: A 6.8-liter, 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, offering around 150 horsepower.
- Transmission: A powershift transmission with several forward and reverse gears, making it versatile for a variety of tasks.
- Hydraulic System: High-efficiency hydraulics that support various attachments and features.
- Operating Weight: Around 19,000 lbs, providing a solid foundation for land clearing, grading, and other heavy-duty tasks.
Key Considerations When Buying a Used John Deere 850C
When buying a 1998 John Deere 850C, there are several key factors to consider to ensure that you are making a good investment.
- Machine Hours and Usage:
- The number of hours the machine has been used is one of the most critical aspects to evaluate. A well-maintained 850C with lower hours can last for many more years. However, a higher-hour machine can still be valuable if it has been well-maintained.
- Ensure that the previous owner has kept a proper service record, as it can give you insight into the maintenance history and any potential repairs or upgrades.
- The number of hours the machine has been used is one of the most critical aspects to evaluate. A well-maintained 850C with lower hours can last for many more years. However, a higher-hour machine can still be valuable if it has been well-maintained.
- Condition of the Tracks and Undercarriage:
- The tracks and undercarriage are vital components that can be costly to replace. Inspect the tracks for wear, cracks, or damage. Uneven wear can indicate issues with the final drive or undercarriage components, which may need attention soon.
- Check the rollers, sprockets, and idlers for signs of wear and tear, as these are key parts of the track system that need to function smoothly.
- The tracks and undercarriage are vital components that can be costly to replace. Inspect the tracks for wear, cracks, or damage. Uneven wear can indicate issues with the final drive or undercarriage components, which may need attention soon.
- Hydraulic System Health:
- The hydraulic system plays a critical role in the performance of the bulldozer, especially when using attachments like blades or rippers. Check for any signs of leaks, erratic movements, or weak hydraulic pressure.
- It's also important to check the hydraulic fluid levels and ensure that they are consistent. Dirty or low hydraulic fluid can cause performance issues.
- The hydraulic system plays a critical role in the performance of the bulldozer, especially when using attachments like blades or rippers. Check for any signs of leaks, erratic movements, or weak hydraulic pressure.
- Engine Condition:
- A properly running engine is essential for the longevity of the bulldozer. Look for any signs of exhaust smoke, knocking sounds, or poor starting performance.
- Verify that the air filters, fuel filters, and oil have been changed regularly. Neglecting these simple maintenance tasks can lead to engine wear and reduced efficiency.
- A properly running engine is essential for the longevity of the bulldozer. Look for any signs of exhaust smoke, knocking sounds, or poor starting performance.
- Transmission and Drive Train:
- Test the transmission in all gears to ensure smooth shifting. A jerky or delayed shift can indicate internal issues within the transmission or drive system.
- The final drives should be checked for oil leaks or excessive wear.
- Test the transmission in all gears to ensure smooth shifting. A jerky or delayed shift can indicate internal issues within the transmission or drive system.
- Cab and Operator Controls:
- Inspect the cab for comfort and functionality. Make sure that all controls, including the joystick and pedals, are responsive and not worn down.
- Check for any cracks or damages in the cab, especially the windows, as replacements can be expensive.
- Inspect the cab for comfort and functionality. Make sure that all controls, including the joystick and pedals, are responsive and not worn down.
Even well-maintained machines will have some common issues as they age. Here are some of the most frequently encountered problems with the 1998 John Deere 850C and how to address them.
- Hydraulic Pump Failures:
- Over time, the hydraulic pump can wear out, causing reduced efficiency or even system failure. Regular checks on the fluid levels and the condition of the pump’s seals can help identify this issue early on.
- If the pump starts failing, the best course of action is to replace it with an OEM part to maintain the machine's performance.
- Over time, the hydraulic pump can wear out, causing reduced efficiency or even system failure. Regular checks on the fluid levels and the condition of the pump’s seals can help identify this issue early on.
- Track and Undercarriage Wear:
- As mentioned, the undercarriage is one of the most expensive components to repair or replace. Regularly inspect the undercarriage and clean it to prevent dirt and debris buildup, which can accelerate wear.
- If you notice excessive wear, it’s often cheaper to replace individual parts, like the rollers or sprockets, rather than replacing the entire track system.
- As mentioned, the undercarriage is one of the most expensive components to repair or replace. Regularly inspect the undercarriage and clean it to prevent dirt and debris buildup, which can accelerate wear.
- Electrical Issues:
- Older bulldozers often face electrical issues, especially if the wiring has degraded or corroded. Pay attention to the condition of the wiring and connectors around the battery, alternator, and fuses.
- Clean connections and replace any faulty wiring to prevent electrical malfunctions.
- Older bulldozers often face electrical issues, especially if the wiring has degraded or corroded. Pay attention to the condition of the wiring and connectors around the battery, alternator, and fuses.
- Engine and Transmission Maintenance:
- Engine performance issues can arise from clogged air filters, faulty fuel injectors, or worn-out turbochargers. Regularly changing filters and using the correct fuel and oil types can prevent these issues.
- Transmission maintenance involves checking the transmission fluid levels and changing them regularly to prevent internal wear.
- Engine performance issues can arise from clogged air filters, faulty fuel injectors, or worn-out turbochargers. Regularly changing filters and using the correct fuel and oil types can prevent these issues.
- Blower Motor and Air Conditioning Failures:
- The blower motor and air conditioning system in the cab of the 850C can fail over time. If your machine has an AC system, ensure that the condenser and lines are clear of debris. This will help maintain cooling efficiency.
- The blower motor and air conditioning system in the cab of the 850C can fail over time. If your machine has an AC system, ensure that the condenser and lines are clear of debris. This will help maintain cooling efficiency.
Many owners of the 1998 John Deere 850C bulldozer look for ways to upgrade their machines to improve performance or comfort. Some common upgrades include:
- Heavier-duty tracks: For operations in more rugged conditions, replacing standard tracks with wider, reinforced versions can enhance traction and machine stability.
- Upgraded cab: Adding features like air conditioning, better seating, or noise-reducing materials can improve operator comfort, especially for long working hours.
- Enhanced lighting: Installing high-powered LED lights for improved visibility during nighttime operations or in low-light conditions.
An operator shared a story about his 1998 John Deere 850C bulldozer, which had intermittent hydraulic failures. After running the bulldozer for a few hours, the blade would sometimes stop responding to joystick inputs. Upon inspection, the hydraulic pump was found to be leaking, and the fluid levels were low. Replacing the pump and refilling the system with the correct hydraulic fluid resolved the issue, and the bulldozer was back in action.
Conclusion: Maintaining the 1998 John Deere 850C
The 1998 John Deere 850C bulldozer is a powerful and reliable piece of machinery when properly maintained. By keeping up with regular maintenance checks—such as monitoring the tracks, hydraulic system, engine, and transmission—you can ensure that your bulldozer runs smoothly for many years. Addressing common issues promptly and upgrading key features will further extend the lifespan of this excellent machine.
When buying a used 850C, always inspect the key components mentioned above, and consider investing in quality parts for any replacements. With the right care and attention, your John Deere 850C bulldozer will continue to serve you well, whether you're working on construction sites, land clearing, or other heavy-duty applications.
