John Deere 555B

MikeLeon · Mar 11, 2009

On a John Deere 555B is the trans oil cooled by the engine coolant? Does the transmission, rear end and steering clutches share the same oil? Also how can rain water get into the transmission area if it sits outside?

Ed pap · Mar 11, 2009

Hello,
There is lots of places for rain water to get in the trany from the top covers. The problem is once you have water thru the machine it is hard to get out. It has a Torque converter and I don't think there is a drain plug on it.
The trans is cooled by a separate cooler.
The trans and steering clutches are the reservoir for the trans oil. you must drain the steering clutch housings. I am not sure how they were filled they changed things around with different models.
It is very difficult to get all the water out of these trans and they are very costly to rebuild if you can find parts. I can say that the trans will not last running with water.
Good Luck Ed
abcrepairparts

MikeLeon · Mar 12, 2009

I am looking to possibly buy this particular machine that I was questioning and wondered what your thoughts are about "test" driving this machine with the water in the trans oil. We did have a very wet summer last year and it was a year ago when it was serviced last. Do you recommend draining the trans oil before test driving or is it ok as is? I would like to try out the transmission and steering clutches before making the purchase. Is there anything else in particular you recommend when checking it out. Thanks

Ed pap · Mar 12, 2009

Hello Mike,
That is a hard question to answer. I would say over the years that almost every 555 or 550b i have seen had some water in the trans. but then again every one was in the shop for trans work. the amount of water is the question. again about the only way to get them clean is to take apart the trans and converter and clean it. there are some parts in that trans that are no longer available from deere. and it is very labor intensive to repair. I would say that the 550 was the worst trans deere ever built. if the machine has been sitting for a while and it is above freezing you could crack the drain plugs and let the water out until you get clean oil.
besides the operational checks look at the 1" bolts that hold the frame to the engine bell housing there is two on each side, they might be hard to see with the loader frame also look at the track frame mounting and the frame mounting to the steering clutch housings in the rear.
I will say that I hope i never get a 550 in my shop I have so many bad memories from them.
good luck Ed

MikeLeon · Mar 12, 2009

Thanks for the info you have provided it has been very helpful. Got another question is the Transmission in the 550 and the 555 the same transmission? Thanks

Ed pap · Mar 12, 2009

Yes they are the same machines 555B is a loader and a 550B is a dozer

Ed pap · Mar 12, 2009

I take that back i think the 555B has a different ring gear in it. and maybe a bigger hyd pump

MikeLeon · Mar 12, 2009

Ok thanks for the info. Would you take the chance and test drive it with water in the trans oil or is that something you wouldn't risk?

Ed pap · Mar 13, 2009

If the man that owns the dozer is OK with running it then I would test drive it. be careful if it is cold you could run the trans pump dry if it is froze.
If you had a filter caddy that would remove water from hyd oil, you could hook into the cooler or filter lines and run the machine for few hours and get it cleaned up. just changing the oil will not do it.
Good Luck Ed

MikeLeon · Mar 13, 2009

Where would you get a Filter Caddy is this something you would rent from somewheres or would you have to buy? Are they fairly expensive? Is it fairly easy to use? Thanks again.

Ed pap · Mar 13, 2009

Mike,
I am not sure how much a filter caddy would be I would think sevral thousand dollars. The one that used was from OTC or john deere. it looked like a hand truck with two big filters and a pump. it is not hard to use if you have the fittings to hook it up.
I don't know if you could rent one maybe your local dealer would let you use it.
I remember the filters were like $80 each and they were used one time.
Ed

MikeLeon · Mar 16, 2009

Got a couple more questions for you regarding that 555B we've been looking at can the steering clutches be adjusted on this machine? Is this something that is hard to do? Also meet with the owner of this machine and to start it up you have to give it a little shot of ether but other than that it runs very smooth and does not smoke. Even after it has been running for a long while and then shut off it needs a shot again to start it back up. Do you happen to know what might be causing this?

Ed pap · Mar 16, 2009

Mike,
The steering clutches are hyd the brakes are adjustable. with the engine it is hard to say over the computer but there are two main problems with a engine not starting, Compression and fuel system. The most common is compression, ether thru rings or the valves. if it is rings it will show Blow/by out breather.
Mike I would give you some advice, If you want this machine a few jobs you might be further ahead to rent a machine for a week and get your work done. I don't know how much this machine is but you could drop Several $1000 or the price to rent a machine. very easly and when this machine breaks out in the woods it makes it realy hard to fix.
I would charge a few hundred to adjust the steering and service it. a engine rebuild $3000 and a trans rebuild $4000-$8000.
The machine weighs 18,500 lbs so there is some scrap value ??
Good Luck Ed

John Deere 555B

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