1845C Case loader chain adjustment

[atomic41]

Adjusting tension on drive chains. Manual says to disconnect the wire from the injection pump solenoid so you can push levers forward and backward to put tension on the bottom of each chain for an accurate reading of slack in the upper part of chain. This does not allow the engine to start while making the adjustments. I cannnot find a wire near this solenoid to disconnect. There is one very low on the FI system. Tried disconnecting that but engine would not turnover with levers. Tried disconnecting two other ones higher but same thing. Has anyone done this or know of another way to adjust?

 

[SimS]

When I adjusted my chains, I just jacked the machine off the ground (all four wheels) and rocked the wheels back and forth to check the slack. Then you can start it up (at idle) and cycle the drive wheels forward and reverse, shut it down and double check the slack. I don't know where you saw the procedure you mentioned because it is not in my Case service manual. I can't imagine having enough hydraulic output at engine cranking speed. Good luck.

SimS

 

[atomic41]

When I adjusted my chains, I just jacked the machine off the ground (all four wheels) and rocked the wheels back and forth to check the slack. Then you can start it up (at idle) and cycle the drive wheels forward and reverse, shut it down and double check the slack. I don't know where you saw the procedure you mentioned because it is not in my Case service manual. I can't imagine having enough hydraulic output at engine cranking speed. Good luck.

SimS

Thank you Sims. Ok. Curious how you could loosen the axles and adjust the slack with wheels on? Yep, my manual has the procedure in black and white. I see your point. But, remember with wheels off the ground not much torque required to turn them.

 

[SimS]

You're right, you can't loosen the axle housings for adjustment with the wheels in place. You would have remove the ones that need adjusting. To be honest, I have checked them several times and only had to adjust them after replacing axle bearings. Those drive chains are pretty robust and should stand up to hours and hours of use.

SimS

 

[Shaneard]

I broke one of those chains on our 1845C once and was in the woods about 500 yards from the shop. Got my buddy over with the tractor to pull me home, that wasn't fun with only one side driving. The chain is a 60H. It's not hard to adjust the slack if you take the wheel off where the tensioner is. It would also be a good time to pull a cover off on the inside and see if you need to change the oil in there, they are bad about getting water in them with those plastic covers.

 

[atomic41]

Yes sir. Already changed oil in both compartments. . The machine has 1000 hours and chains have never been adjusted. Now, my question for you guys is since you have to loosen all of the bolts to the axle for chain adjustment (free up axle so you can turn chain tensioner bolts), is there a gasket that gets disturbed behind axle housing? Ok, 2 questions. Manual calls for 1/2” slack on top side of chain with chain taught at bottom. I’ve read on this site as much as 1.5”???

 

[SimS]

Yes there is a o-ring that fits in a groove in the axle housing. You loosen the axle housing just enough to let it move with the tensioning bolt. You're not moving the housing very much. The chain case is smooth and the o-ring is closer to the center of the housing than the outer edge so you shouldn't damage the o-ring. If the top slack of the chains are around an inch, I call good.

SimS