John Deere 550B Dozer & 555B Loader — 1987 Technical Manual (P/N TM-1331)

John Deere Technical Manual TM-1331, August 1987 edition, covers the 550B Crawler Dozer and 555B Crawler Loader. It combines component repair with system theory, operational checks, diagnostic charts, adjustments, and tests.

PDF Search, Bookmarks, and Diagram Detail

Finding text and reading diagrams: An embedded OCR layer supports searches through much of the manual, although recognition errors and diagram pages without searchable text limit results. PDF bookmarks cover the main sections and many individual procedures. Small wire numbers, connector markings, and color codes on the electrical foldout are readable when enlarged.

One printable PDF in English contains 1,058 pages, including two cover pages and 79 blank or header/footer-only pages.

Crawler, Power-Train, and Equipment Repair

These selected coverage highlights outline the main repair and test material. Other topics include cold-weather starting aids and loader return-to-dig adjustment.

• Engine repair: Step-by-step engine removal and installation, break-in, and internal work on crankshaft and main bearings, camshaft and timing gears, connecting rods, pistons, liners, cylinder head, and valves.

• Power train: Torque-converter and powershift housing repair, directional and range clutch-pack overhaul, bevel-drive service, and transmission pump, control-valve, pressure-control-valve, and selector-valve procedures.

• Tracks, steering, and brakes: Track-chain disassembly and assembly with press tooling, master-pin service, idler and roller repair, track-adjuster and recoil-spring work, final-drive preload, steering clutches, brake bands, and linkage.

• Equipment hydraulics: Pump-flow, relief-valve, cycle-time, and cylinder-drift tests for dozer, loader, and backhoe systems, supported by hydraulic schematics.

• Attachments: Repair coverage for 6405, 6410, and 6415 blades; loader and multi-purpose buckets; lumber forks; 9300 and 9550 backhoes; winch, log arch, and ripper/ground-conditioning equipment.

• Electrical service: Wiring diagrams, battery and starting-circuit diagnosis, charging-system tests, gauge and indicator checks, accessory troubleshooting, and starting-motor and alternator repair.

• Shop references: Component torque tables, fluid capacities, wear limits, Service-Gard tool references, and dimensioned drawings for dealer-fabricated tools.

John Deere wrote this manual for experienced service technicians who need machine-specific procedures and specifications.

From Diagnosis to Component Repair

Gray-tab chapters handle component teardown and rebuilding; matching yellow-tab sections explain operation and provide checks, diagnostics, adjustments, and tests. That structure lets a technician trace a system symptom, then move to the relevant repair chapter.

This technical repair and diagnostic manual is separate from the operator's manual and parts catalog.

Engine, Fuel System, and Cooling

Internal inspection: Procedures cover crankshaft and bearing measurements, valve lift and clearances, and cylinder-liner inspection. Related sections address engine-balancer and turbocharger service, oil-pump and oil-cooler repair, water-pump rebuilding, thermostat testing, and cooling-system tests.

Fuel-system scope: Injection-pump removal, installation and timing, fuel-system bleeding, and nozzle removal and installation are included. Internal injection-pump repair and nozzle testing/service procedures refer to the separate TM-1214, Roosa Master Fuel Injection Equipment, which is not included.

Serial-Specific Transmission Repair and Tests

Power-train chapters distinguish 550B through 719977 / 719978-up and 555B through 720212 / 720213-up. Matching test sections cover converter stall, powershift operation, hydraulic pressures, cooler flow, cooler pressure differential, and transmission-pump performance.

Illustrations include torque-converter cross sections, exploded views of the directional, first/second, and third clutch assemblies, and transmission-pump exploded and sectional views. Transmission oil-filter disassembly and inspection are also covered.

The early converter-housing removal procedure warns that tilting the housing can bend the suction tube.

Undercarriage and Chassis Work

Track inspection includes bushing and link measurements, sag, alignment, front-idler setup, and roller/seal service. The master-pin instructions warn that hammering out the pin can enlarge the link bore and require a replacement link.

Chassis procedures cover side frames, bottom guards, counterweights, drawbar, sheet metal, ROPS, cab, seats, and the tank-and-seat assembly.

Attachment Hydraulics and Winch Variants

Equipment chapters document frames, pumps, valves, cylinders, and control linkage. Backhoe control-valve and cylinder cross sections support the attachment repair material.

Winch clutch-cover procedures distinguish units through 390307 / 390308-up, including different piston seals and swivel-fitting or spool arrangements.

Electrical Drawings and Workshop Tooling

Circuit tracing: Connector and ground-location drawings, the wire-routing chart, and the electrical pictorial diagram connect wire numbers and colors with machine locations. Starting-motor coverage extends through component testing, disassembly, and reassembly.

Special tools: Track work references the JD-284 Hydraulic Track Adjuster Service Set and JT30018/JT30019 seal-centering fixtures. Final-drive work specifies the JDG-91 Bearing Cup Installer.

Converter tools include the JD-292 Torque Converter Box Wrench and JD-289 Torque Converter Seal Driver. Section 99 supplies drawings for fabricating lifting, holding, alignment, and removal tools in the shop.

Crawler repair involves heavy housings, stored recoil-spring energy, raised equipment, and pressurized hydraulic oil; follow the manual's support, pressure-relief, lifting, and electrical-isolation precautions before service.

Examples of Track Wear Limits and Turbocharger Clearances

For single-grouser track shoes, the inspection specifications list a new grouser-bar height of 48 mm and a 100% wear limit of 20 mm.

The turbocharger test section specifies shaft axial end play of 0.025–0.101 mm and radial movement of 0.08–0.15 mm. Separate dial-indicator checks address thrust-bearing condition and radial bearing clearance.