Part of the John Deere Repair Manuals.
You have a 550B or 555B with a slipping powershift, a dragging steering brake, or a track that needs splitting. This John Deere repair manual covers that job from teardown to the pressure test that proves the fix.
Old crawlers punish guesswork. Run the power train tests for the wrong serial number break, or torque a final drive by feel, and you will do the job twice. The book covers the 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel, the powershift transmission and undercarriage. It also covers the dozer, loader, winch, ripper, log arch and both the 9300 and 9550 backhoes.
Repair procedures sit in numbered groups. The diagnostic tables, adjustments and pressure tests are in the 9000-series Operation and Test sections. Check the section contents for the group number and go straight to the page you need.
What's Inside This John Deere 550B, 555B Repair Manual
| System | Pages | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Cover, Contents & Introduction | 1-16 | Section and Group Contents, How to Use the Technical Manual, Safety Information |
| General Information | 17-34 | General Specifications, Torque Specifications Chart for Cap Screws and Hydraulic Fittings, Lubrication |
| Tracks | 35-86 | Track Systems |
| Axles and Suspensions Systems | 87-116 | Axle Shaft, Bearing and Reduction Gears |
| Transmission | 117-260 | Controls, Gears, Shafts, Bearings, Clutch, And Torque Converter, Transmission Hydraulics |
| Engine | 261-420 | Removal and Installation, Crankshaft and Main Bearings, Camshaft and Valve Actuating Means, Connecting Rods and Pistons, Cylinder Block, Oiling System, Cylinder Head and Valves, Exhaust Manifold, Engine Auxiliary Systems, Cold Weather Starting Aids, Engine Cooling System, Speed Control, External Fuel Supply Systems |
| Torque Converter | 421-430 | Converter, Turbine, Gears, And Shafts (See Group 0350), Steering Systems, Hydraulic System, Equipment Attaching, Drawbar |
| Electrical System | 431-450 | Batteries, Support and Cables, Alternator, Regulator and Charging System Wiring, Wiring Harness and Switches, Instrument and Indicators |
| Frames, Chassis, or Supporting Structure | 451-484 | Frames, Frame Bottom Guards, Chassis Weights, Operator's Station, Operator Enclosure, Sheet Metal and Styling, Hood or Engine Enclosure |
| Winch | 485-538 | Controls Linkage, Winch Drive and Clutches, Hydraulic System |
| Loader | 539-588 | Buckets, Forks, Controls Linkage, Frames, Hydraulic System |
| Bulldozers | 589-634 | Blades, Controls Linkage, Frames, Hydraulic System |
| Backhoe (9300) | 635-704 | Backhoe, Buckets, Teeth, Shanks, And Side Cutters, Controls Linkage, Frames, Hydraulic System |
| Backhoe (9550) | 705-768 | Backhoe, Buckets, Teeth, Shanks, And Side Cutters, Controls Linkage, Frames, Hydraulic System, Tapered Pins and Bushings, Valve Box |
| Arch or Boom, or Cranes | 769-792 | Arch Frame, PTO or Winch Drive, Gears, Shafts and Bearings, Ground Conditioning Tool, Teeth Shanks, Frame, Hydraulic System |
| Operational Checkout Procedure | 793-800 | Indicators and Gauges Test (Engine Stopped), Neutral Start Switch Test, Indicators and Gauges Test (Engine Running), Brake System Test, Steering System (Steering Clutches and Brakes), Driving Test, Hydraulic System Test, Undercarriage Test |
| Engine Operation and Tests | 801-844 | Theory of Operation, System Operational Checks, Diagnostic Information, Adjustments, Tests |
| Electrical Operation and Test | 845-898 | Theory of Operation, System Operational Checkout, Diagnostic Information, Test |
| Power Train Operation and Tests | 899-978 | Theory of Operation, System Operational Checks, Diagnostic Information, Adjustments, Test 550B Serial Number ( -719977) 555B Serial Number ( -720212), Test 550B Serial Number (719978- ) 555B Serial Number (720213- ) |
| Hydraulic System Operation and Tests | 979-1026 | Theory of Operation, System Operational Checks, System Diagnostic Checks, Tests |
| Miscellaneous Components | 1027-1044 | Theory of Operation, Diagnostic Information, Adjustments, Tests |
| Special Tools | 1045-1058 | Liner Holding Fixture, Track Roller Installation Tool, Final Drive Housing Lifting Tool, Clutch Housing Alignment Tool, Turbine Wheel Holding Fixture, Special Wrench, Tubular Type Driver, Sprocket Weight Lifting Tool, Winch Lifting Tool |
Quick Reference Specifications
| Specification | Value | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | John Deere 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel | p. 19 |
| Engine SAE net horsepower | 78 hp (58 kw) | p. 19 |
| Engine piston displacement | 276 cu. in. (4.524 L) | p. 19 |
| Electrical system | 12 volt with alternator | p. 19 |
| Engine coolant capacity | 5 gal (18.9 L) | p. 19 |
| Engine oil including filter | 15 qt (14.2 L) | p. 19 |
| Transmission capacity | 13.5 gal (51 L) | p. 19 |
| Fuel tank | 36 gal (136 L) | p. 19 |
| Hydraulic reservoir | 550B 6 gal (22.7 L); 555B 7 gal (26.5 L) | p. 19 |
| SAE operating weight | 550B 13,510 lb (6126 kg) with 16 in. (406 mm) grouser shoes; 555B 18,800 lb (8 526 kg) | p. 19 |
| Hydraulic system pressure | 550B 2250 psi (15 514 kPa); 555B 2500 psi (17 200 kPa) | p. 19 |
| Slow idle | 800 ± 20 rpm | p. 825 |
| Fast idle | 2375 ± 20 rpm | p. 825 |
| Engine oil pressure | 340 ± 100 kPa (3.4 ± 1.0 bar) (50 ± 15 psi) at fast idle; 100 kPa (1.0 bar) (15 psi) minimum at slow idle | p. 837 |
| Track shoe cap screw torque | 120 lb-ft (163 N·m) | p. 26 |
| Final drive housing to steering clutch housing cap screws | 325.44 ± 32.54 N·m (240 ± 24 lb-ft) | p. 90 |
John Deere 550B, 555B Common Problems This Manual Covers
Low clutch pack pressure in the powershift transmission
Start with the cheap checks: oil level, a clogged suction screen and foamed oil. If pressure stays low, look at internal leakage, the main regulator relief valve, the oil pump or stuck sequencing spools. Run the powershift transmission test to find which one.
Manual Section: Power Train Operation and TestsCrawler will not move in any range
Rule out tracks frozen to the ground first. Then check for oil pressure to the clutch packs and a defective oil pump. A disengaged steering clutch or a dragging steering brake will also hold the machine. The diagnostic tables help you check each cause in turn.
Manual Section: Power Train Operation and TestsNoisy hydraulic pump or slow hydraulic functions
Pump noise usually comes from low oil or the wrong viscosity, a pinched suction line, air in the oil, loose clamps or a misaligned pump drive. Slow functions can also mean cold oil, low engine speed, or leakage past cylinders. Confirm fast idle, then run the pump flow test and the cylinder drift check.
Manual Section: Hydraulic System Operation and TestsEngine starves for fuel or will not keep running after fuel filter service
Air in the fuel system is the usual cause after filter service. Crack open the bleed screw on the fuel filters and work the hand primer pump until the air is out. Engine Operation And Tests covers the checks, and Engine Auxiliary Systems covers the external fuel supply parts.
Manual Section: Engine Operation And Tests / Engine Auxiliary SystemsFrequently Asked Questions
What torque goes on the track shoe cap screws and final drive housing of a John Deere 550B, 555B crawler dozer?
Track shoe cap screws take 120 lb-ft (163 N·m). Final drive housing to steering clutch housing cap screws take 325.44 ± 32.54 N·m (240 ± 24 lb-ft). The General Information section also has the full torque chart for cap screws and hydraulic fittings. p. 26
My power train test readings don't match the book. Am I using the right procedure?
Check your serial number first. Power Train Operation and Tests has two sets of tests. One is for 550B Serial Number ( -719977) 555B Serial Number ( -720212). The other is for 550B Serial Number (719978- ) 555B Serial Number (720213- ). Running the wrong set is a common reason readings look off. p. 899
What should slow idle, fast idle and engine oil pressure read on a 550B or 555B?
Slow idle is 800 ± 20 rpm and fast idle is 2375 ± 20 rpm. Oil pressure should be 340 ± 100 kPa (3.4 ± 1.0 bar) (50 ± 15 psi) at fast idle. At slow idle the minimum is 100 kPa (1.0 bar) (15 psi). The adjustments and tests are in Engine Operation And Tests. p. 826
How much oil, coolant and hydraulic fluid does a 550B or 555B take?
Engine oil including filter is 15 qt (14.2 L). Coolant is 5 gal (18.9 L), and the transmission holds 13.5 gal (51 L). The hydraulic reservoir is 550B 6 gal (22.7 L); 555B 7 gal (26.5 L). The fuel tank holds 36 gal (136 L). p. 19
Does it cover the attachments, or just the base tractor?
It covers both. There are sections for the loader, bulldozer blade, winch and winch drive, log arch, ripper and drawbar. The 9300 and 9550 backhoes each get their own section on buckets, teeth, linkage, frames and hydraulics. If you run a backhoe or winch, that coverage alone is a reason to own the book. p. 4
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