I'm new to this site so bare with me. For years I've been looking for a decent 7U but have failed. I gave up looking and recently committed a sacrilege by buying a D4D direct drive. Question: Are the steering clutches adjustable or if they're weak then are they just plain worn out? BTW: I'm now in the market for manuals for this tractor. Any info would be very much appreciated.

Steering clutches are very adjustable. Try General Gear in Idaho, they sell steering clutch after market parts as well as used parts. They have been putting some manuals up online to view. E Bay seems to be the place to look for old manuals. This site is planning on putting manuals on line to payed members but not there yet.

What does the tractor do or not do. What is you level of knowledge? The old Cats in most cases you need a lot of brake as well as releasing the steering clutch to make much of a turn. If it doesn't turn at all rust holding steering clutch from releasing.

Hello Ray54. Thanks for the reply. First of all, construction is not my livelihood nor am I a mechanic but heavy equipment has always been a passion of mine. I can do some repair, but it's limited. Years ago a friend/mechanic helped me on a '73 Case crawler loader( new chains, brakes,etc.) but now I'm on my own. When I took the D4D out for a test drive, it was on flat, semi-hard, level ground (I read that this could make a difference). Anyway, I would pull the steering clutch lever up to my chest and the tractor would very gradually start to turn. Of course, if I followed with the foot brake, it could turn sharply. From my past experience with the Case, I hate the idea of using brakes to turn unless I'm pivoting. This is my first Cat and perhaps it's just a different animal (please excuse the pun).

To see if your steering clutches are releasing, pull both at the same time and the tractor should stop just as if you released the main clutch. Unless your tractor is under a load, on a flat hard surface pulling the clutch will only make a gradual turn unless you apply the brake. Like Ray said these old tractors usually require a lot of brake to turn unless under heavy load.

Okay fellas. I appreciate all the input that you've provided me. My next step is to get it home, locate some manuals and service it (ex.drain old fluids,install new filters, clean screens, etc.). I'm hoping 2021 will be a better year and that the Nat'l Pike steam show will be up and running again so that I may be able to push some dirt around. Thanks again.

Sounds like your good for a little operating time to get the feel of your "new" dozer. Always good to ask questions about the unknown. Sound like it is working as it should.

Ray54."God willin' and the river doesn't rise". If our gov't can just get a handle on this COVID-19 thing so that they can resume with their bi-annual shows (May/August) in Brownsville. I'd like to get alittle "stick time"with the D4D at the shows. BTW: There's plently of other Caterpillar equipment there including a mighty D9G and a 992.