Dozer trac trouble...

MotorSeven · Jan 9, 2008

Well, i got alot of work done in the last couple of days. So, i thought i would push out a 4-wheeler trail on some property we have for sale. I was on a 10 degree incline when the left trac came off without warning. Do i really have to break the trac, or can i collapse the tensioner & slip it back on? I already have chained it to 2 trees so it can't roll & will be jacking it up this weekend. Since i haven't had this happen before all tips are appresiated.

RD

diyDave · Jan 9, 2008

Motor 7 get a few close up pics of the rails, rollers, rear sprocket, and the tensioner, and the suggestions will come rolling in. Was the track loose while you were using it, is it a hydraulic tensioner, or is it a wrench type? a few suggestions that may get you the answer.

Dirthog · Jan 9, 2008

Loosen the grease fitting an pull the idler back with the track then you can put blocks under the drawbar on the rear of the machine and pick the whole machine off the ground take a comelong and you can pull the track sideways toward the sprocket when you have it started on the top of the sprocket move just that side in reverse slowly while keeping pressure sidewayes on it and it will slip right back on. Those old case dozers are known for throwing the tracks when they get a little worn and mo so if they are loose. you can make a couple of track guides out of heavy angle iron for the front idlers it will help a lot.

MotorSeven · Jan 9, 2008

It's a '75 Case 350B. It has a grease type tensioner. I can "release the grease" & may be able to pry the trac back on. Yes, it may have worked it's way loose without me noticing it, we had alot of rain last night, & mud was caked everywhere.
One of the PO's took the trac guards off(why i have no idea) & i have looked for them on & off w/out success. They definatly would have prevented the trac from comming completly off & would have given me some warning.
RD

diyDave · Jan 10, 2008

Dirthog probably has it right procedure-wise, I just didn't know which type of tensioner this machine had. Be careful and don't get under anything that can take your breath away!

MotorSeven · Jan 11, 2008

OK guys thanks. Man, it has rained hard the last 2 nights, so i won't even try anything until it dries out a bit. Also, i talked to my neighbor/logger. He gave me the same advise & added that i can use the 6way blade & a block of would to completly compress the tensioner once the grease fitting is loose.
Another TBN'r sent me some detailed pic's of the guards, so i need to get off my duff & get them done.

RD

MotorSeven · Jan 30, 2008

Update, it took a few hrs, but we got it back on. We tried to leave it on the front idler wheel & slip it onto the sprocket, but couldn't get enought slack. So, we pulled it off the idler, then got it started on the sprocket. Bumping it in forward kept taking up the slack and it finally poped back on the idler with pry bar help. I checked the other track & it was on it's way to comming off also. It was my fault, working it for a whole day and not shooting any grease into the tensioner.....won't happen again!
Back to grubbing out a house site on top of a ridge....great views! Thanks for all the help.......

RD