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NCWayne 10-29-2012 07:27:30 69.40.232.132 Report to Moderator	Just rebuilt he undercarriage on a 977 awhile back that had the same problem. That said, you should be able to weld up the crack without any problems. If the crack is running with the joint that holds the rim on, simply grind it out as much as possible and reweld. If there are any other cracks radiating from it and across the side faces of the idler then drill a hole at the end of them, V them out, and weld. For no more welding than than your going to be doing you won't have anything to worry about with pressure building up inside the idler, etc like would happen when laying on the HUGE, multiple, weld beads with a machine torch when rebuilding one. [Reply]   [No Email]
Stick welding 10-29-2012 18:23:11 96.53.210.246 Report to Moderator	Re: 977 h caterpillar idler wheels in reply to NCWayne, 10-29-2012 07:27:30   It's not a big deal to cut a hole and then weld it back in. It doesn't have to be real strong just tack a piece or bar or a bolt on it, so you don't drop it inside the idler. I welded a ripper frame crack for a guy and it cracked right down the weld from the build up of pressure inside. I happened to have some 3/16" 11018 that I used.   [Reply]  [No Email]
NCWayne 10-29-2012 20:14:16 69.40.232.132 Report to Moderator	Re: 977 h caterpillar idler wheels in reply to Stick welding, 10-29-2012 18:23:11   Most guys have never seen a 3/16" rod, and don't have a power supply with nearly enought amps to burn one. That being the case, a couple of passes with a 1/8" 7018 more than likely won't build as much heat as one pass with the much larger rod. That said, yeah, I know what your saying but my thoughts were that a hole cut and then welded back up by some one that doesn't do alot of cutting and welding would tend to be more of a problem (read new crack waiting to happen) than just not worrying about it. If it were me I'd much rather drill a small hole. In this case 1/4" diameter should be a gracious plenty as a vent, and much easier to weld up than a plate cut out of the side. Too a small hole is far less likely to propulgate a crack due to the round shape than a torch cut hole.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Stick welding 11-06-2012 10:08:28 198.53.25.107 Report to Moderator	Re: 977 h caterpillar idler wheels in reply to NCWayne, 10-29-2012 20:14:16   The patch doesn't need aNy strength. It just keeps dirt and water out of the idler. If someone has enough skill to build up the idler, they can weld the cut out back in.   [Reply]  [No Email]