John Deere 550LC Excavator Repair Manual

$19.95

Model: 550LC
Type: Excavator
672 Pages·9.6 MB·Searchable PDF·English·Print-Ready
  • Torque Specs
  • Bookmarks

Same factory service manual used by authorized dealer technicians.

Preview Sample Pages (PDF)
John Deere 550LC exploded view diagram for lower track roller disassembly, showing shaft, bushings, seals, and brackets.
John Deere 550LC Excavator Repair Manual $19.95

Instant Download 24/7

  • Works on PC, Mac, tablet, and phone.
  • Download once, keep forever

 

Guaranteed Safe Checkout
Visa Mastercard PayPal Apple Pay Google Pay

Need factory answers for your John Deere 550LC? This 672-page John Deere 550LC Repair Manual PDF (OEM TM1808) walks you through every system on the excavator, from track rollers and propel gearboxes to the 14L Cummins N14 engine and swing bearing. Inside: a full torque section, exploded views of the undercarriage and major assemblies, step-by-step rebuild procedures for the propel motor, pilot pump, and swing gearbox, plus troubleshooting and error code charts. You even get dealer fabricated tool drawings, so you can build the DFT1075 gearbox nut wrench yourself instead of hunting one down. Torque the air intake clamps to 8.5 N-m (75 lb-in) and set injector and valve clearances straight from the factory tables. Your 550LC is dead weight until it swings. Bookmarked and text-searchable; type the spec, find the page, fix the machine.

What's Inside This John Deere 550LC Repair Manual

SystemPagesKey Topics
General Information9-102Safety (550LC Excavator Overview, 550LC Excavator, Working Ranges)
Tracks103-162Track Roller, Track Carrier Roller, Track Shoe, Track Chain, Sprocket, Front Idler
Axles and Suspension Systems (Propel)163-222Propel Gearbox, Propel Motor and Brake, Counterbalance Valve, Rotary Manifold, Propel Flow Regulator
Engine223-250Cummins N14 Series 14L (875 Cu in.) Engine: Removal and Installation, Crankcase Ventilation Tube, Injection Lines, Engine Mounts
Engine Auxiliary System251-290Cold Weather Starting Aids, Cooling Systems, Speed Controls, Intake System, External Exhaust Systems
Connector Drive291-294Pump Drive Coupling, Drive Shaft and Damper, Alignment and Torque Values
Transfer or Splitter Drive295-304Pump Drive Gearbox, Gear and Bearing Service, Lubrication and Seals
Electrical System305-348Batteries, Alternator, Wiring Harness, Fuses, Key Switch, System Controls
Frame or Supporting Structure349-370Welding on Machine, Welding Repair of Major Structure, Counterweight
Operator's Station371-418Cab, Windowpane, Sliding Windows, Seat, Seat Belt, Heater Core and Evaporator
Safety and Convenience419-422Safety
Excavator423-600Buckets, Frames, Hydraulic Pump, Pilot Pump, Pilot Shut-Off Valve, Hydraulic Oil Cooler
Swing or Pivoting System601-656Swing Gearbox, Upperstructure, Swing Bearing, Swing Motor and Brake, Crossover Relief Valves, Swing Brake Release Solenoid Valve
Dealer Fabricated Tools657-672Rotary Manifold Lifting Tool, DFT1075 Propel Gearbox Nut Wrench, DFT1077 Spool Holding Fixture

Quick Reference Specifications

SpecificationValuePage
Batteries, Support, and CablesGroup 1671p. 5
Wiring Harness and SwitchesGroup 1674p. 5
Cooling SystemsGroup 0510p. 5
Oil FiltersFiltration of oils is critical to proper operation and lubrication. Always change filters regularly as specified in this manual. Use filters meeting John Deere performance specifications.p. 62
Air Intake Leakage Clamps Torque8.5 N•m (75 lb-in)p. 283
Battery-Voltage12 Voltsp. 307
Alternator Locking Cap Screw-Torque68 N•m (50 lb-ft)p. 318
Alternator Mounting Cap Screw-Torque108 N•m (80 lb-ft)p. 318
Air Filter Restriction SwitchB1p. 327
Fuel Shutoff SolenoidY7p. 327
Engine Oil Pressure SwitchB4p. 327
Engine and Frame Harness-to-GroundW6p. 327

John Deere 550LC Common Problems This Manual Covers

John Deere 550LC engine cranks slow and won't start in cold weather, gauges flicker

Test each battery under load; a healthy unit shows 12 volts and 890 cold cranking amps at -18°C (0°F). Check electrolyte specific gravity, 1.265 to 1.280 fully charged, per the specs on page 307. Clean and tighten both ground connections, then torque the hold-down bracket nuts to 20 N•m (177 lb-in.).

Manual Section: Electrical System p. 307
Engine overheats under load, temperature gauge climbs into the red within an hour

Blow out the radiator cores and cooling fins with compressed air from the fan side, then pull the air filter element and check the restriction indicator. Inspect intake boots for cracks and torque the air intake clamps to 8.5 N•m (75 lb-in) as shown on page 283. Verify coolant level with the engine cold.

Manual Section: Engine Auxiliary System p. 283
Track loose and slapping the frame, machine throws a track turning on soft ground

Measure track sag between the carrier roller and front idler; the spec on page 110 is 440 to 490 mm. Add grease to the track adjuster cylinder to tighten, or crack the fitting slowly to release it. While you are under there, check shoe hardware and torque loose shoe-to-chain cap screws to 1370 N•m.

Manual Section: Tracks p. 110
Milky hydraulic oil and metal flakes in the filter, cylinders drift down under load

Cut open the hydraulic oil filter and inspect it for water contamination and metal particles using the procedure on page 500; brass or steel flakes point to pump or cylinder packing failure. Drain and refill the hydraulic tank with 254 L of clean oil, then torque the pilot filter case to 19.5 to 29.5 N•m.

Manual Section: Excavator p. 500
Battery light stays on, alternator belt squeals at high idle, batteries discharge overnight

Check alternator belt strand tension against the specs on page 318: a used belt should hold 270 to 490 N, a new belt 620 N. Adjust at the adjusting link and torque its cap screw to 68 N•m (50 lb-ft). Load-test both batteries and clean the ground strap before condemning the alternator.

Manual Section: Electrical System p. 318

Frequently Asked Questions

How to reset John Deere 550LC error codes?

To reset the Air Conditioner Controller, turn the key switch OFF. This procedure is part of the Air Conditioner Self-Diagnostic Procedure, which indicates problems with sensor circuits in the air conditioning system. p. 417

What are the torque specs for John Deere 550LC final drives?

For the propel gearbox (final drive), the gearbox-to-track frame cap screws should be torqued to 740 N•m (540 lb-ft). The drum and bearing-to-housing nut requires a torque of 785 N•m (580 lb-ft), while the lock plate-to-nut cap screws are torqued to 88 N•m (65 lb-ft). p. 167

How to reset John Deere 550LC idle speed?

To reset the idle speed, first ensure the engine is warmed to normal operating temperature. The slow idle speed should be between 800—1000 rpm and the fast idle speed between 2000—2100 rpm. Adjust the gap between the throttle lever and stop screw to 0.1—0.3 mm (0.004—0.012 in.) to set the speeds. p. 275

How to reset John Deere 550LC controller

To reset the Engine Controller (EC) and Pump and Valve Controller (PVC) programming after battery disconnection, turn the key switch OFF and then ON without starting the engine. Then, turn the engine rpm dial to fast idle and push the S/P (super power) switch, waiting 4—5 seconds for the EC motor to move the engine speed control linkage to the fast idle stop. p. 279

What are the fluid capacities for the John Deere 550LC Excavator?

The John Deere 550LC Excavator has a fuel tank capacity of 700 L (185 gal) and a cooling system capacity of 66.2 L (17.5 gal). The engine oil capacity, including the filter change, is 44.0 L (11.5 gal), and the hydraulic tank oil capacity is 254 L (67 gal). p. 29

What format is this manual in?

Instant PDF download. You get the full 672-page searchable Repair Manual immediately after payment. Open it on your laptop, tablet, or phone right in the shop.

Am I able to print pages from this manual?

Absolutely. No DRM or copy protection. Print the whole manual or just the pages you need. Any home or office printer works.

BrandJohn Deere
Model550LC
Machine TypeExcavator
Manual TypeRepair Manual
LanguageEnglish
FormatSearchable PDF (Digital Download)
Pages672
File Size9.6 MB
Manual No.TM1808
Wiring DiagramsNo
Hydraulic SchematicsNo
Torque SpecificationsYes
Bookmarked / IndexedYes