Should this sprocket be replaced?

[STx]

My neighbor has loaned me his Case 350D to do some work around my place. It's an older machine and has some little issues that I'm taking care of while I've got it as a way of thanking him for it's use. I've repaired a couple of fuel leaks and repaired a weld that was leaking grease on the track tensioner (the leak was the reason this track got slipped) but, I'm also going to replace the track chain on this side as it's worn very badly and will sometimes slip. I've found the chain for about $681, still much cheaper than renting a machine or hiring the work out, however I'm not sure if I should go ahead and do this sprocket while I'm at it. It looks about the same as the other side that he put a new chain on a year or so ago. The sprocket is only another $160 so I don't mind doing it if it's needed, I'm just not sure if this one is actually worn enough to need it or if it's still fine.

 

[oldnslo]

How do the new chain links fit? If loosely then it will cause the chain to wear rapidly.

 

[STx]

I haven't ordered the chain yet, the old one is still on. The one that was replaced on the other side fits pretty snugly though.

 

[RickB]

That sprocket looks whipped to me.

 

[crazyal]

If you don't replace it the new chain will wear out much quicker. The teeth on a new sprocket will pull on the chain evenly and spread the load to all the links touching the teeth.

 

[Spanner]

New chain = New sprocket. (For best wear of both).
:2cents:

:wrench:

 

[NC419N]

If you don't replace it the new chain will wear out much quicker. The teeth on a new sprocket will pull on the chain evenly and spread the load to all the links touching the teeth.

For $160 i think that would be a great Idea you may want to use it some more

 

[STx]

For $160 i think that would be a great Idea you may want to use it some more

I probably will go ahead and do it. Like you said, it's not that much more.

I don't think I'll have a hard time borrowing it again if I need it. After all, who among us wouldn't loan equipment out if it was going to come back with all the maintenance done and anything that needed to be repaired taken care of? I need to replace the power steering cylinder on my tractor right now, if I could loan it out to someone and have it come back with that already taken care of, I'd jump on it in a second. I was taught when I was a kid that if you borrow something, you send it back better than it came. If I borrowed a car, even from my parents, it came back with a full tank of gas. Borrow a mower and it comes back with a full tank of gas and the blades sharpened. It's just a part of who I am now but, there are some real benefits to it, like being able to borrow the neighbor's bulldozer.

 

[EddieWalker]

Yes, the sprocket is very worn and for such a small amount of money, should be replaced. I really need to do the same on mine, but keep putting it off to work on other projects. I need to quit sleeping at night to catch up with everything I want to do!!!

 

[STx]

FWIW, I ended up getting all the parts from Tracks and Teeth, the pricing was good and it all got here the same week I ordered it.

Drop it off at my place and I'll fix it for you. Just bring me a 30,000 pound or larger excavator to use for a few weeks as payment.