Ok, so I finally got the D2 I have been working on to run decent. Now, it pulls to the left when going down the driveway. Gets worse the more load you put on it (grading gravel). Both side brakes and clutches work just fine. The only thing I can see is the right track is tighter than the left. Would that make this thing pull to one side?

My D-2 Pulls to one side, but the one track is worn more than the other. Tracks from2 different machines.

Left clutches could be slipping. I guess you know that the steering lever needs some free play to account for future wear?

My uncle bought a D4 in the 1970s brand new. It has been mostly used for dozing in decent conditions, good farm dirt, not much rock.
As long as I can remember, it has always traveled off to one direction when roading. Traveling down the dirt and gravel roads, I would get the scheme worked out to aim at the far side of the road at some not too distant point, and it would never leave the road. It would travel in a big arc, and then I would aim at the far side again. Very annoying. When working it as a dozer, no obvious problem. Pulling farm equipment, or grooming roads, there might be an issue. No slipping clutches, and as I recall I could never detect any obvious wear differences, all original undercarriage, never any major work done on the tractor. I would say it is still a low hour, low use, good condition machine. I wouldn't mind owing it.
Next time I get close to it, or run it, I will be looking again, i'm sure.
Your problem does sound like possible steering clutch slippage if it gets worse with increased load.

Watch from the front when someone else is driving. See if the grousers slide one way or the other as the machine moves forward. Could indicate an alignment issue.

That all makes sense, and brings up some things I had not thought of.
Thanks!

"Neil" wrote:

As well as relative track length, track roller frame alignment could play a part, even in a brand new tractor. Eddie B has some diagrams about track frame alignment. I thought I had saved them but can't find them. But basically, the frames should be parallel, perpendicular to the pivot shaft, the rollers, idlers and sprockets should all be in line, the track frames should be straight in both planes and not twisted, spaced the same width out from the tractor body, etc., etc. My D2 is all over the map so part of the r-n-r is to remove the wear and get the alignment right

Yes, a too tight track on one side will make a difference in going in a straight line. catskinner

Hi Team,
data as mentioned.
Cheers,
Eddie B.