1010 hydraulic-type track tension

[blackadarn]

Hi everyone, I own a 1010 gas crawler. It has been passed down too me from my dad. It have a track that will not keep its tension. I have seen in the manual that you should use the the special grease gun that came with the crawler. Because a high pressure gun can damage the seals and fittings.
Final to my questions. Is a standard grease gun the same as the one that would have came with the crawler?
And what type of grease do you use?
And if I do have to change the seal(s) is it a big job? I have a service manual and parts manual. It does not look like a big job.

Thanks
Neil

[Tigerhaze]

I haven't looked at the tensioners on a 1010, but on my 2010 the hydraulic track tensioners are a zerk fitting that can be used with a standard grease gun. I just use a NLG 2 grease with them. I haven't been able to blow a grease seal and to do that you would need to get the track too tight anyway.

I haven't had to replace seals on my tensioner so I can't speak to that.

The 1010s may be different, but I think you may be thinking of the button fittings that are used on bottom rollers for older crawlers. Rollers have the seals that can be pushed out more easily with higher pressures. Button fittings do use a special tip on the grease guns.

[Pammark]

If the tensioner is not holding, there must be an air bubble in it or leaking grease somewhere. On the 2010, there are only three spots to leak grease, the seal, the grease fitting and a screw-in plug. The plug is located near the grease fitting. If the plug is leaking, check for the small steel ball located under. It helps make a good tight seal on the casting. It might be missing altogether.

Air bubbles will compress and expand based on temperature. It might seem tight until you put a new strain on it, and it compreses more resulting in a loose track.

The grease fitting is pretty standard. Any type will do, just so they do not leak away.


Mark

[blackadarn]

Thank you tigerhaze and pammark

[gerald]

Good questions blackadarn. Ihave 350 with loose track I ordered seal kit but ill check the ball valve like Niel said. I hope to get the service manual and parts wednesday. Ill keep ya posted my crawer is 200 miles south from my home where I have a retirement dream and crawer.where its warm in N M.

[jtrichard]

The special grease gun was not for the track adjusters it is for the rollers and idlers ONLY. the adjusters take reg. grease and a std. gun

[gerald]

Yup blackadrn but what I didn't realize the seals on the rollers would blow .I was thinkink it would have a weep hole or even drilling a hole into the seal to release the pressure clean it and put clear silicone over the 1/4 hole. My 350 was bone dry i greased eveything except the buttons. I think im lucky to pick crawer up for 3300 and have the support of the same J d owners.