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Crawlers, Dozers, Loaders & Backhoes Discussion Forum

Took tracks off?

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135 Fan

04-10-2008 18:09:21




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I took the tracks off the Cat today. Here's the good, the bad and the ugly. The good; Final drives don't seem to have any play when I pry'd on the sprocket with a shovel handle. Top carriers have only a little wear. If centered better with new rails should even them out. They turn smooth and are still slightly stiff to turn. Other than the top carriers being slightly off center, everything looks lined up pretty straight from idler to sprocket. Idlers retracted fairly easily after loosening adjusters. The bad; 1 idler has almost no play and seems like it would be a good candidate for building up but the other idler has play you can feel. Not a lot but when you pull on the top of it toward you you can see it move a little over 1/16 of an inch or so. I think I should just replace both. Lots of loose track pads but hopefully I can use about half of the old ones that are still tight. Triple grousers are still fairly high. Master link bolts wouldn't budge on the one good master link. The other one is stripped so I welded it. I took the tracks off without breaking them. It was pretty easy with the hoe on the back because I could pick the whole machine up. After I got the track off the idler, I took the skid steer and pushed the track up and off the sprocket so I could pull them out the back. For some reason I have a few hydraulic cylinders that have all started leaking out the cap end. I don't know if it's from colder weather when I used it or what. Seems odd. The ugly; I was hoping to reuse my idlers and save about $1100 bucks. The end caps that bolt to the idler guide blocks are worn from hitting the side of the track frames. Is this cast steel? If so, then I'll just weld them up and grind them flat again, unless aftermarket are available. Cat will be pricey for sure. What's the easiest way to get all the old roller bolts out? Long 3/4 in. drive with a snipe? or heat? When I get the new tracks, what's the easiest way to put them on? I thought I could pull them under with the skid steer and then keep pulling after I get them up on the idler going backwards toward the sprocket. Would this work? Or is there an easier way? Do you just use a very big pipe wrench to take the end caps off the Hyd. cylinders? How hard are Cat cylinders to put new seals in? Would tightening the end cap a little more maybe stop the leaking? I doubt it but have never worked on a Cat cylinder before. Thanks for any help you can give. It's appreciated. Dave

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Rays

04-11-2008 08:48:54




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 Re: Took tracks off? in reply to 135 Fan, 04-10-2008 18:09:21  
Hi, What Cat machine are you working on? I have a real good used undercarriage for a 955H-K Cat for sale. Let me know If I can be of any help. Thanks, Rays



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135 Fan

04-11-2008 10:54:58




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 Re: Took tracks off? in reply to Rays, 04-11-2008 08:48:54  
It's a 1986 Cat 931B loader with 4 in 1 bucket and quick attach 14 ft. backhoe. Not great at any one thing but great for a wide variety of jobs. The 4 in 1 bucket is the best tool in the world for fencing. You can push posts in with the bucket and if their crooked you can lightly clamp on them and pull them back out. You can pull old posts out as well if they aren't too rotted. I'm just trying to figure out the easiest way to put the new tracks, with pads on them, on. The backhoe stabilizers are in the way a little bit behind the sprockets. I didn't take the hoe off because it lets me pick up the whole machine off the ground. This makes working on the rollers and everything, but putting the tracks on, easier. Dave

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Bob/Ont

04-10-2008 20:23:50




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 Re: Took tracks off? in reply to 135 Fan, 04-10-2008 18:09:21  
Have to send you a pic Dave, to be sure what you mean at idler, think it's bearing blocks we talked about. Try 3/4 impact to get roller bolts out. If you have frames off and upside down a good sledge hammer blow helps loosen them. Shove tracks under machine, use long cable or chain to draw them up over sprocket to idler with skid steer. Be good to have some one run machine and turn sprocket. Join them at front.
Later Bob

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135 Fan

04-10-2008 22:07:44




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 Re: Took tracks off? in reply to Bob/Ont, 04-10-2008 20:23:50  
Yes on the outside of the bearing blocks. I can see where the shims go behind the end caps. I think just from turning, the end caps got pounded out some. I saw somehwere that showed to connect the master link on the idler. I have a good come-a-long to pull the track together too. I'm doing it in the field. I have a generator and a 1/2 inch electric impact. I'll see if I can rent an electric 3/4 impact wrench. What do I do if they won't loosen? I have a small Mapp/propane torch. The hoe makes it easy to pick the machine up but even with the stabilizers up, they are kind of in the way for easy access to the sprocket. I could block the front end up, raise the loader and pull the tracks forward enough so I just have enough track to lift up to hook on the sprocket. I have an engine crane and a tractor with a loader as well if I need it. I did tracks on a JD 355 but took the frames off because I had to straighten them. Much easier to mount rollers but it was in a guys shop. No split master link though. That negated how much easier the rollers were to change. My track frames look really good and I think it would be a nightmare to take them off. To loosen the bolts, what do hit with the hammer? I like that the frame the rollers are bolted to is enclosed and not open channels. I would think this would keep them from rusting in like on the JD. I guess I gotta order some expensive parts tomorrow. I'm going to see if I can get a bit of a discount if take my old tracks to the distributor and pick everything up from them as well. It's quite a ways from the dealer. Probably close to an hour and I'd have everything loaded and ready to take to the machine. It would save them and myself time.

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steve n carol

04-11-2008 06:38:25




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 Re: Took tracks off? in reply to 135 Fan, 04-10-2008 22:07:44  
you asked about what to hit w/a hammer on your track frame? ...I usally hit the head of the bolt, (unheated).
Do these track frame bolts thread into the track frames or into a nut? You can always cut off a nut and install a new bolt. i had to chase the threads in the track frames on mine. Chaseing the threads was a great idea! It really helps in installation. Not to mention being able to tighen them properly. With the tap to chase the thread(s) I also used a 'bottle brush' style wire brush. This I attached to my cordless drill to assist in cleaning the threads. I like the Berrymans carb cleaner in the spray can, Its B-12 or B-22, I cant remember. I found a similar product at wally mart for half the price! I buy it by the case now. The Hoe really helps dosent it! As far as mounting the pads, use the new bolts, make sure the underside of the pad is clean! use the electric impact, then go over ALL OF THE BOLTS AGAIN with a breaker bar!!! I thought mine were tight...and they were... Now I always find a loose pad every time I use it!!! :cry:
I think it is also eaiser to install the chain if the pads are installed on the bottom side of the chain, the portion that the rollers rest on, if you are doing this in the field. Bring the rest of the track chain (rails) up and over the top. I used my cable jack for this.
Not sure what type of master link you are using to re connect the rails, BUT, Old Magnet (hi 'Ol Mag), has posted a few pics of a shop made tool to hold the master pin in place while you drive it in. By not having all of the pads installed the chain is lighter and eaiser to handle. Also easier to install the master pin. ...sl

135 fan, Where did you purchase this machine from?

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135 Fan

04-11-2008 10:44:24




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 Re: Took tracks off? in reply to steve n carol, 04-11-2008 06:38:25  
I bought it through a consignment at the Cat dealer. It has split master links. The pads will be installed at the track shop with the proper torque/turn tightening procedure. It is better than using a final torque rating. I've got a lot of wrecked almost new pads because they were loose when I got the machine. They wouldn't tighten. It would be a lot easier to put the rails on first and then the pads but I don't want problems with loose pads again. Yours are coming loose and I should install mine the same way? Sorry, I don't understand that theory. The track frames are boxed so I'm thinking the track frames are threaded for the roller bolts. I'll see what the bolts look like and run a tap through the threads if needed. Hopefully the roller bolts won't be too hard to remove. Dave

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