M444 engine side belt drive pulley

[steve911]

Hi all, Just retired from 35+ years in the military and have begun the restoration process of resurecting my deceased father -in-laws old M444 that was discovered in a shed on the old farm. It hadnt seen the light of day in over 25 years. GOt it running and it wll move itself around and the hydraulics seem to work fine. The trouble is that the belt pulley attached to the ONAN motor wobbles, and when I spent huge dollars for a new rotoseal so I could get the movable pulley half to move, it leaks like a sieve. the pulley assembly was removed from the engine and disassembled and what I discovered is the holes for the 3 roll pins that help hold the inner and out pieces together are all wallowed out a two of the pins were broken and caused all sorts of problems where the pulley actuator seals are at. I called bobcat and the original m444 pulley assembly is long since discontinued. Is there a pulley assembly from a different model that will work? The ONAN motor has a stright shaft NOT tapered. Is there someone with a good M444 pulley assembly that would like to sell theirs? Down and out in Wisconsin Steve A.

 

[Tazza]

I wonder if a machine shop can repair the damage. If the main problem is simply worn holes for the pins, i see no reason why they can't get drilled out, plugged then re-drilled. I assume the oil leak is due to the seal being torn to shreds with the pin pieces as they disintegrated.
If its how i think it is, i see no reason why it wouldn't be a pretty easy repair job for anyone with the rite tools.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

I wonder if a machine shop can repair the damage. If the main problem is simply worn holes for the pins, i see no reason why they can't get drilled out, plugged then re-drilled. I assume the oil leak is due to the seal being torn to shreds with the pin pieces as they disintegrated.
If its how i think it is, i see no reason why it wouldn't be a pretty easy repair job for anyone with the rite tools.

Failing that these folks make a belt drive torque converters.
http://www.hoffcocomet.com/comet/aftermarket-torque-converters.asp
Though they are rpm and load sensitive and made to be used on a vehicle with a throttle pedal. On a skidsteer they would up shift into “high gears” under light engine demands / loads or when engine rpm increases. Under heavy loads and/or falling engine rpm they automatically shift to a lower gear ratio. Where with the original setup believe the user had to set the ratio of the drive system manually?
Ken

 

[Rocketman]

Hi Steve, I just bought a M444(?) from a guy that said it was in good shape. Well, after I got it home I have a different view. It has the same setup that you are discribing. I think what I should do is sell this one I have for parts. I don't want to sell it to someone knowing that it is not in GOOD running order.Maybe you would be intersted in it for parts. I can see a problem in that this machine is in NW Mn, and it probably would not be worth the shipping. I do not want to part it out myself as that I would probably end up with half a unit laying around. Give me your thoughts. Brian

 

[steve911]

Hi Steve, I just bought a M444(?) from a guy that said it was in good shape. Well, after I got it home I have a different view. It has the same setup that you are discribing. I think what I should do is sell this one I have for parts. I don't want to sell it to someone knowing that it is not in GOOD running order.Maybe you would be intersted in it for parts. I can see a problem in that this machine is in NW Mn, and it probably would not be worth the shipping. I do not want to part it out myself as that I would probably end up with half a unit laying around. Give me your thoughts. Brian

Call me 608-334-1424 Steve

 

[Rocketman]

Call me 608-334-1424 Steve

I am sorry to have gotten your hopes up. An opportunity to sell came by today (thank you, Jesus) and I jumped at it. If I hear of anthing else that might help you, I will post it here. Again, I am sorry.