Widening tracks on a 1010 ??

[jdemaris]

Are your axels doweled, or do you have the later style replacement axle wth the three large shouldered bolts?
Lavoy

This is an early 1010 with three 7/8" dowels on each axle flange. I was going to remove them and use some grade 9 7/8" bolts instead - but found out the dowels are welded in (I assume from the factory). I figure I'll leave well enough alone.

[jdemaris]

I got one side done on my 1010. The 14" dozer track just made it as far as fitting. I've got around 1/4" clearance against the front loader boom. I shimmed out the track-frame about 1/2". I didn't want to go any further because then the three dowells on the sprockets would lose contact with the sprocket.

With the one "new" dozer track and the worn out loader track on the other side- I ran for 3 days and got my pond done. Ends up I had to make a lot of right turns on wet-loose dirt going up a steep hill. Having that dozer track instead of a flat loader track made a huge difference. I'm looking forward to getting the other side done.

You can see in the photos the small amount of clearance by the loader boom -with either side. The original 12" wide track only had 1/4" clearance. The side I put the 14" wide track and shimmed also has 1/4" clearance.

I wasn't sure this was going to work. It's hard to figure what actual clearance was going to be. The track frames have been loose and wobbly for years. Each one is attached to the front cross-bar by four 5/8" bolts and a shim-pack. Mine have been loose for years and I was never able to get them to move, in order to tighten them. In fact, with the track frames off - I spent hours heating with a rose-bud and quick cooling with water. Out of those four bolts - I only got one to move and come out. I had to blow the rest out with a torch but saved the threads. To my surprise the original bolts were only grade 5. I replaced with grade 9 and they are also a 1/2" long to allow for the widening.

The track frame attaches to the rear cross-bar by just sliding over it and then locked in position by two clamp-collars. I just loosened and moved them. Works our great. Already feels like a different machine.
I'm anxious to get the other side done - but just the one side took me three weeks (off and on). There are many stuck bolts to get out from the rollers, track frame, rock guards, etc.