Buying and fixing a dozer : John Deere 450

In this video, I buy a ~1970 john deere dozer 450 straight. Fix the steering clutches, and install a "canopy", and then push some dirt

[@zarb88]

Nothing like spending a romantic evening by torchlight with your dozer. You are one hard working man.

[@iamfrankiam]

This is a major achievement for the younger Mr. Muller. Sir, your attempt to replace the brake pad was a great learning experience you won't likely forget and I think that was a lesson for all of us. Your patience with detail and getting things "right" was impressive. A note about the Schedule 40 pipe for structural steel. I'm not a structural engineer but I know from my own life experiences that side-stresses to such pipe can make it fail. Cross bracing behind you would serve you well in a roll. And a final note about your production techniques. For openers, thank you for NOT using music when you sped up the motion. And thank you for adding text that offered greater detail. Your video had all the elements, a great beginning, a middle, and the end. Thanks again ...a bunch of us appreciate your work and I, for one, will be watching more closely.

[@jmuller86]

thank you. another video about using the dozer should be coming out tomorow

[@aaronhoward_]

While waiting this video, you reminded me so much of my father. He was able to fix anything, even out in the middle of the hay fields... I only wish I retained 1/4 of that knowledge.

[@Dan-in-the-Wild]

3.1M views in 03/2024. Fantastic topic for a video, and excellent work on both the tractor and the video.

[@t.t.5324]

Dude, you're a mathematician, scientist, mechanic, and handyman all rolled into one. I'm jealous of your abilities and your new purchases.

[@emmeyefive7484]

it's just doing, and either you do, or you don't

[@sherylwheeler3873]

great job, Jesse-my dad would have been so proud of you-that's what he did all his life, fixing older vehicles/machines, he just didn't have you tube back then. ..it's in your genes!

[@jmuller86]

thanks mom

[@brianhanrahan7561]

Brand new equipment breaks down too Truer words have never been said

[@kevinkinney5445]

First construction job I had at 17 the father of the owner was taking me to the jobsite and told me, "There is nothing that has been made that You cannot figure out and master". That wisdom served me well my entire lifetime.

[@johnobiro5202]

I totally agree with your opening statement. That you gotta know how to fix them. That way, you learn more about how they work.

[@josepholiver6733]

It’s a Miracle how someone with the time, Patients, and money can bring back theses old work horses and with the Knowledge can keep them going

[@DavenH]

He's a doctor?

[@pulaski1]

@@DavenH ROFL

[@othertipo]

Don't know why you call that a "miracle.

[@AlexanderNecheff]

It seems like in general older stuff (mechanical, electrical, etc.) was designed to be serviced and maintained. Newer stuff is designed to be disposable.

[@57fitter]

@@DavenH Of heartbroken machinery

[@kalo1551]

Instructions are clear. When faced with challenges along the way, he took the time to explain what it is and why, and his solution. Nice.

[@AW-Services]

He's very similar to Andrew Camarata, very deep and knowledgeable explanations backed with incredible fact and mechanical fault finding

[@rmichaels7130]

Man I'm glad I found this channel ,that guys trailer is crazy

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Nice work man! And killer job on the rollover/tree protection cage

[@jmuller86]

thanks bud

[@popmccoy3454]

Great work mate, brought back a lot of early memories for me. The 450 and 850 drotts did the bulk of my early earthworks during civil construction. Anywhere within a five mile radius I'd walk the machine to the next job. Cut in access tracks with the 850, sides of hill cut and fill! Just terrific reliable machinery back in the early 1970's. Ripper video, well done.

[@devops9506]

Finally someone who does a proper restoration and fixing instead of just starting the engine! Greetings from Ukraine!

[@MontsFamilyHomestead]

Owner repair verses dealer just about every time saves money and time. Those old machines are still one of the best small dozers.

[@maraudermitchelli]

Your patience is a gift, not everyone has that’s why you can rebuild old old equipment. Love it keep them coming 😊

[@johnpaulpowers1431]

Every time i worked on those old CAT and Deer Dozers. We were always making a new tool.

[@cammophatz1357]

Thanks for giving these machines new life. Everything in the world does not have to be disposable.

[@DirtBikeDaryl]

That clutch setup is pretty much the same as a dirt bike. Clutch basket, steel and “fiber” plates, springs, and a pressure plate. Pretty cool. Thanks for filming it! 👍🏻

[@dalewilson7434]

I was a welder/fabricator for some year's and I have to say you have the skills. You have good engineering sense, an eye for detail and the ability to make it work.. You have a great future ahead of you and remember, we all make some mistakes, but that doesn't mean it's a failure as long as we learn from them. As long as you have a gas axe and a welder, you can fix just about anything. Awesome job Keep up the great work...

[@jmuller86]

thanks

[@johnobiro5202]

Although you will never make a Dozer Driver. You are a brilliant Engineer. Great Job. I enjoyed that.

[@terencetyndall8596]

injoyed watchong you do all the work - when I was a little kid alway enjoyed trackor work I'm 71 now still love watch it

[@donnal.oglesby4806]

I admire all the work you took on in getting both of these machines and repairing them both to working condition, and saving them. Awesome job. Thank you for sharing.

[@johnobiro5202]

I love that rolling chassis on the Lowloader. I wish we had them in Britain.

[@msrevelation2104]

Oh My Gosh :))) Jesse I love all your BIG BOY toys !!! You never cease to AMAZE me with your WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE and above everything else your BRAVERY in stepping up & taking whatever challenge and making a success of it too ... I'm a great fan now , I watch your amazing videos all day long as time permits me and I never get tired of watching & before it comes to the end I wait in anticipation to SEE WHAT'S NEXT :))) KEEP UP THE AMAZING JOB !!! Blessings to your FAMILY & to you , STAY blessed ALWAYS ... Love from Canada !!!

[@jmuller86]

thank you. I will be fixing up that track loader in a few weeks

[@bruceb3786]

I operated a JD450, then a D7 in the 70's. Thanks for the memories 1 WOW !

[@oldamericaniron5767]

I ran a D7 in the summer of 74 and I own it now. It has a lot of memories, I have a video of pushing some trees out this spring on my channel. Some people love the turbo sound but I like the sound of an open pipe on a non-turbo Cat.

[@dukeman7595]

This video is the most comprehensive step by step tear down and replacement of a steering clutch brake repair I have ever seen.. I have owned both 350 and 450 John Deere dozers, they are great little machines with the exception of the steering brake design. The labor involved is tremendous, however you did an exceptional job, and believe me anyone needing to do this job needs to watch this video.. Thank you for sharing and oh, the ROP looks like more than enough to do the job it was intending for.. Thanks again and you picked up a new subsctiber, I was very impressed with your video..

[@wymple09]

I rented one back in 2004 when building a small house, to do some landscaping. 1150 bucks for a week. That thing was a blast.

[@the_darkgameryt]

You did a Beautiful job on rebuilding that dozer! Good work! And thank you for making this video for me to watch and enjoy!

[@martinlehfeldt6916]

I love when old machines get fixed. Nice vid.

[@user-wn7rw4gq4m]

He has very good talent and can help us, Thanks Muller!! Its very nice job!

[@BitGeeker]

Really nice job Jesse. The dozer looks excellent.

[@jackjacke4654]

That came out beautiful brother! Great job on making that roll bar roof, and simply making this yours!!!! Awesome!!!

[@midebisku6548]

Qq11 qq1

[@terrywesley5724]

I watched this movie 3 times and I keep getting information. Once again thank you

[@joligrunlaub3412]

I´m really impressed. Doing all these jobs in the cold with bare fingers. Tough guy.

[@super6954]

Thanks for a great video it was very interesting watching you fix and use the dozer. I don't usually watch long video's like these from anybody without a break, but you kept me here right through. Looks like you got 2 good machines for about 10K if all goes well with the other one. Glad you got that darker yellow paint, that wheel yellow just didn't look right but it looks real smart now. I'm a farm equipment mechanic and farm to ,I buy a lot of my equipment cheap and fix it for my own use. Thats how I got my manure spreader, 4wd tractor, backhoe loader and built my tractor pulled tandem gravel trailer from an old truck, I've got less than 20K in all of it doing this way. Hoping you share the work on the loader with us, thanks again. Take care.

[@jmuller86]

thanks. There seems to be alot of people like us left that make something from almost nothing, but not a whole lot of videos made about it. I usually only buy from people that seem clueless. People who are smart and very mechanically inclined tend to know what things are worth, and also tend to pass things off that have hidden problems. Other people who are either entitled, handed down, or just gave up too easily are the people I try to buy from.

[@salembeeman370]

Okay, I watched you work for over an hour. Now that is saying something. You are a great craftsman.

[@peterchapman753]

Brilliant I really enjoyed this video it's my first visit to you well done. Peter Chapman 🇬🇧

[@randy7879]

Thats so cool man! Bringing old decaying vehicles back to life and puttin em to work love seein it.

[@jackjacke4654]

Also a special appreciation to your father to whom without you would have had a harder time doing this. And your friend i saw in the beginning ....

[@frederickmoller]

Jesse, I'm very impressed by what you did and do, you and Andrew ROCK in my opinion, Thanks, I can't wait for you next video!

[@benlav7151]

Great work, I really appreciate this video. I do the same for all my machines, always buying old, scrap machines, rebuild them and they run without problems. Cold, wet, not 100% proper tools because you can buy specific tools if you do this job only one time, tired, sometime mistakes and you need to re do it again, but at the end you have a good feeling and satisfaction, on top of that always financialy you are much cheaper if you compare to buy the new machine, on top of that you know your machnes much better then the dealer, on top of that you can understand and repair your machines without waiting and paying lots of money. Great job, great video. Ben, France

[@tomstickney5500]

this is why people like you are a gift to people that don't know how to fix things but need things like this dozer .nice video

[@LAKESIDEBOB1]

Wonderful Video, quality and holding ones interest right up there with Andrew's videos, good job with dozer you are one very talented young man.

[@tillman1697]

Outstanding rebuild with excellent commentary. I know little of which you speak, but I was able to follow you. And GREAT BUY! This thing's a little monster, perfect for your operation.

[@user-kn3bn8tc8t]

Thanks for sharing,I have a TD 7 I have to go threw.I have new pins and bushings and all new idler rollers to install

[@TheJstewart2010]

Great, great job. I learned a lot about how the clutch packs work. Very clear explanation, as always.

[@corydriver7634]

That’s the thing about working on heavy equipment; you have to have heavy equipment to work on it. I admire your shoulder to the wheel get it done attitude.

[@tux1968]

What a nice piece of equipment to have in your fleet. Great job fixing it up.

[@ffarmchicken]

Seeing that old 450 brings back memories. Really a handy tool for light, fine work at the end of the job. I remember one time running out of fuel on a hill and my boss using a squirt bottle of gasoline to move it to a level place to fill it back up.

[@mdouglaswray]

Thanks for the outstanding video of the clutch repair. Others will appreciate it!

[@robertgilmour1903]

I really enjoyed this video, it is good to see machinery that some would say was passed it being given a new lease of life.

[@mtm7014]

Your skill sets are amazing. I enjoyed watching you bring this old dozer back to life.

[@thomshere]

***Man what a great video!*** I am so happy that there is people in this country of ours that can still do things with their hands and probably a lot of good common sense. My dad and I plowed gardens and did tractor work when I was younger (1970's) with a 1941 Ferguson Ford 9N tractor. We fixed everything on it that we could which was almost everything. My goodness I miss simple life things like that. He worked at Pontiac Motors in Pontiac MI building Pontiacs for over 31 years and if I would have told him you could spend a $100,000 on a pick-up now he would have laughed and never believed me. I don't know why people buy brand new things sometime. I always felt better about myself buying used but good and fixing a few things.. Take care and good luck to you and your family!.

[@jmuller86]

I have never had a loan before , and I have bought alot of vehicles and equipment. I cant imagine the feeling of paying 2x or 3x more than the original price with all that financing. ridiculous

[@glenfranzen9933]

Takes me back to a simpler time! Thank you!

[@HiddenValleyHomestead]

I LOVE the plasma cutter hole jig... I highly respect that kind of inventive fabrication

[@brianmaguire528]

Sorry to see the video ending, could have watched all day. Great content! "You need to paint the roll bar yellow" loved the eye in the sky. Ta!

[@blkstang83]

Amazing job repairing the dozer, you are a very talented individual. Thanks for sharing the journey, will be looking for the video on the front loader. Since this video was back in May, I will have to look on your channel for more up to date videos.

[@geraldmiller5260]

Nothing quite as nice as watching people who know what they are doing working.

[@1armedguy4]

I do believe you've got a winner on your hands Jesse !🇨🇦

[@chefdan87]

That was a cool transport trailer. Ive never seen one like that before.

[@bradleymclean2745]

Most equipment Rental places use them and heavy equipment sales also. they start at like $90,000 for the trailer only.

[@HughzieTube]

Plaza Towing on YT has 3 of them and posts regular videos of them getting used.

[@TheInvisibleOne1026]

Bradley Mclean I’ll take 2, lmfao

[@enzo8745]

Excellent video!! Complete, and just enough of everything. You did a GREAT job! Thanks, I'll be watching all of your stuff.

[@asekiblau]

Wow I was really impressed about your work outside in the cold and you are knowing what you do !

[@ackack612]

Well Sir, I'm more than impressed. I get a kick out of the farm, construction, heavy equipment, etal operations that maintain and continue to utilize equipment of a similar age. All the bells and whistles of new/late models are great but the prices are just staggering! I hope you'll do another vid on the loader as you rehab that as well.

[@johnjames77]

You are the last generation of a great American's who will still do hardcore mechanical work . You show that a set of hands can fix anything if you put the effort forward. I really enjoyed watching your great restoration of the driveline.

[@robertfennelly7442]

I have a 450B and need to do the left clutch. Thanks so much for the tutorial. It will be a tremendous help in a few weeks. You removed the mystery.

[@piotrang8634]

The really cool staff is that you show people that it is possible to do complicated things even if one is not a proffessional.

[@Subatomic_Next]

You are a skilled mechanic, you know what you're doing, love the video! you're good at explaining things, you do not rush it or spend like first 5 - 10 mins. going bla bla. SUPERDUPER!

[@joejones6968]

I watched your entire video, I was so moved by the way you are able to repair and operate those old JD. Excellent video, I liked the way you explained everything, And who ever was operating the drone was phenomenal. I'll keep looking for new content from you. Thank you for making this for all of us to see.

[@iranmihanemast7032]

this video is one of your best videos with lots of information, excellent camera positioning and editing , keep it up the good work. Every minutes of video is worth to watch.

[@wayneharries4368]

I just love watching videos of people bring new life to hart and soul of machines that most people would Just scrap and cut them up respect Jesse keep it up

[@scotlandwoodwork2553]

Excellent Job, looks great. She's got lots of life left.

[@augustreil]

Looks great Jesse. Even if that roll bar/cage didn't stop the dozer from tipping all the way over, it'll slow it down big time and will help tremendously to keeping falling debris and weather off the operators area, which is a huge bonus ! Thumbs up.

[@jmuller86]

thanks, I should have shown the factory mounts, I meant to; they don't even look like they would hold, so I figured even if my math or welds are off, I tried to overkill it by alot

[@grejsancoprative]

@pete smyth Yeh, not much are gonna hold up the weight of a dozer. It's the same principle with hardhats. They ain't gonna do shit when a 10 ton weight fall atop of ya, but it might stop that falling nut or hammer from gashing your skull.

[@normanjones3730]

That loader ain’t no 450 b just a 450 . 450 b and 350b have rear sprocket counter weights

[@jmuller86]

@@normanjones3730 I have seen quite a few 350b and 450b without that counterweight. I think the counterweight was a farm version

[@cennsa140driver]

@pete smyth Yes, a guy I knew was killed putting a dozer on a trailer. It slid off to one side, hit the ground knocking him out of the seat. He then got crushed by the dozer going on it's side. A seat belt fastened most likely would have saved him.

[@davidmellott5049]

Awesome work done, and your explanations of each step were very easy to follow, thanks.

[@MrWulf06]

nice job I like to see old machines get new life

[@fulltiltgrading8366]

Those old JD dozers are hard to beat. I have a 1962 JD 2010 that I learned on as a kid. Nice video 👍🏻

[@rmc8152]

Nice detail regarding part fit and assembly.

[@johnnyholland8765]

I have bought and repaired machines such as you do and the first thing I do is go to my neighbors house (he is a BIG farmer) and use his steam cleaner. I help him on occasion so he doesn't charge me. He has a 450C Deere that I have ran on occasion. They are good strong machines for their size and that 6 way blade makes it sweet. Really like your shop...

[@Redneckmfg]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU !!!! I just bought a 1969 JD350 with 6 way blade and I am just getting started on doing a total Rebuild on it... This video is worth Gold to me right now... I have done a frame off restoration on a bobcat M610 and also a rebuild on a Case 1845c skid steer... this will be my first Dozer rebuild.. and the first thing I noticed is Everything is Heavier and Harder to get Undone... Maybe I'm just getting to old to do this $h!t !!!! Lol Again Thank You this video is Priceless !!!

[@jmuller86]

Just remember , I am pretty sure you have to remove the final drive on the 350 to get the steering clutches out. The 450s you dont

[@GeoffreywBlee-qs7zu]

Hi, loved every bit of that video. There’s not a bloke alive that doesn’t love to push dirt like that, it comes from buying your children toy dozers to play with ha ha. Best of luck to you. 🇦🇺

[@131dyana]

My brother and I had a toy dozer and we made a whole town in our back yard. Perhaps you are right about the toy dozers.

[@cobrasvt347]

A hot water pressure washer makes life so much easier when cleaning these machines. Your on a good roll keep the collection a going. Soon you will have all the equipment you will ever need to do any job.

[@hamzahbakar5597]

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[@hamzahbakar5597]

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[@hamzahbakar5597]

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[@710Garage]

amazing work!!!! crazy how far this thing came in just 1 video. love videos like this

[@AB-gg1lp]

Just bought same vintage 450 loader and planning to do the clutches this winter during down time. Extremely happy to come across this useful information!!! Thanks for posting!!

[@SuperIanjohnson]

A great video, Jess. I had to watch it all the way through; I got really engrossed ! It looks like you were enjoying having a play with it. I can't wait for the loader video now !!

[@nomadicdullard]

51:30 pick up a small "chain fall" hoist. It makes tasks like that so much easier and you can finesse the heavy object into place. I also used my tractor as a lift point and did that on a large backhoe boom cylinder. It was a one man operation piece of cake.

[@hctibdiputsuoykcuf]

this kind of video is what youtube is meant for. i learned a lot in a few minutes.. thank you for taking the time to make it

[@annechristiansen941]

Tusen takk for god underholdning. 👍🤗👍🇸🇯

[@gregreelman4526]

Good job. Finding / Keeping at the right price vintage machinery operational sure beats a payment.

[@shrory]

I like the flat bed, never seen where the rear axles move forward for loading, nice piece of kit

[@chaddesantis4191]

Landoll 440. That's the one most of the heavy wrecker services use. They are really impressive.

[@leskovacs959]

Enjoyed watching your patience and tenacity, and craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing. I won't look at a John Deere the same way again.

[@michaelrasmussen5430]

Great work boys 👍💪💪💪i love seeing olde iron det new life and in the pro way not that sloopy way most people do it 😠😉😉😉😉more videos like this please. Best regards from Denmark to you and your family stay safe

[@microwavedsoda]

so crazy that there are 1 million views with only 49k subs. This guy is great

[@bufford14]

I've watched this build from the beginning and to the end. I just want to say you did a great job on this build. There's one thing you going to find out that you have to work on again is where your exhaust pipe comes out. Just as soon as you get in amongst some trees you will lose your exhaust pipe. You need to weld it to the top of your canopy so this won't happen. I also hope you have a breather cap for your little jewel as well. You should be proud of this accomplishment you've earned it. Another thing you don't need to use the clutch to change gears unless you're changing the big gearbox on the left. Did you set the pressure on you transmission, If I remember right it's set around 40 pounds.

[@shawnslater9597]

Poor

[@Happy357mag]

@@shawnslater9597 Work hard and after some time you won't be.

[@williamblakeley2495]

Wow that's very interesting 🤔. Thanks for the lesson .now that should give you maybe another 50 years I beleive that's what you said ..keep doing it the right way with the Right parts will be better in the long run.& it should make you feel alot better knowing you did it right .Nice Jessie.

[@genegoodman5233]

Watching you is very enjoyable because of your attention to detail. Your slow and precise and would be a joy to work with on a repair or build. I’m impressed with the “canopy “ well designed and very secure looking, I’ve done a lot of industrial maintenance and fabrication that had to meat certain specifications and I think yours does. I’m impressed with your ability. Stay safe

[@kennethhume8628]

Jesse , I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this video , your dozer looks really impressive , great work .

[@paulmachak9853]

Jesse, you have the right attitude.

[@bebosing5755]

after much cleaning, hacking, banging and refining, the Old Clunker turned into a bright GOLDEN NUGGET !!😁 great work, great vid....thanks for sharing👍

[@brentking-gmailking2570]

Had to watch again. One of your best ever videos. Have a great week.

[@mattbolton8230]

Glad you painted it JD yellow, I was getting a bit worried there for a while.

[@daccuscape9729]

Matt Bolton the first color was John Deere farm and garden yellow for the green and yellow machines. The construction yellow for John Deere is more brownish. He must have grabbed the wrong yellow at the jd dealer. I’m glad he changed it too tho, was a little worried myself.

[@MetalSphere10]

JD used a different yellow for construction equipment, and it is much darker than the farm tractor yellow. I think it was called “Safety Yellow.” I actually cringed a little bit when I saw the farm yellow on the dozer. (Lol) There is also a “Highway Orange” that was used on some equipment. The orange is very unique and looks great with light charcoal trim!

[@MetalSphere10]

Jesse did an outstanding job on this repair. You can certainly tell he is a professional and takes pride in his work.

[@thecordlesscarpenter7956]

@@MetalSphere10 for those looking for the correct paint color, it is called "John Deere Old Construction Yellow"