Figured out why I keep dropping track

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Bret4207
440 crawler
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Figured out why I keep dropping track

Post by Bret4207 » Sun Mar 21, 2021 8:11 pm

I've been getting very good at catching one track just before it slips off the idler on my 420, and at putting it back on when I don't catch it! Got things torn apart today and figured it out. I need bushings in the idler itself, of course, and in the outer castings. I can't find those (outer bushings) in the parts book, or at least in my parts book. It's a 1" bore bushing, must be there someplace. Also found the inside brace for the rear of the spring was simply missing, so the spring has had nothing to brace against for at least a little while. I can make and weld a new one in. The bushings I need and one seal. The rest looks salvageable. Do you carry the bushings Lavoy? I have to get the seal number yet but I think you have those.

One other question- The idler shaft has a grease fitting in the end and an outlet for the outer casting bushing right near it and then one for the idler wheel bushings, but no hole for the inside outer casting bushing. There's a set screw to hold the bushing and shaft (I think) but no hole on my shaft. Am I missing something or is the inside outer bushing supposed to get over flow grease from the idler itself?

One more question- My books say the springs are supposed to be compressed to 14 11/16 or 13/16 inches, something like that. My springs are over 15 inches. Is that critical? The book gives the impression it is, but I can't imagine they loosened up equally. I also have doubts about being able to tighten them up much considering the nuts are fairly well corroded on the flats. Maybe with enough heat, but that's risky with the spring there. How critical is it?
40C, 420C, 1010C-L-BH, Cat D4

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Lavoy
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Re: Figured out why I keep dropping track

Post by Lavoy » Sun Mar 21, 2021 9:26 pm

no bushing in idler bracket, someone has added that tp repair a worn bracket.
Bushings are no problem, I am drastically short on seals working to get more made.
Lavoy
Parts and restoration for antique and late model John Deere crawlers.
Owner and moderator www.jdcrawlers.com

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Bret4207
440 crawler
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Re: Figured out why I keep dropping track

Post by Bret4207 » Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:31 am

Hmmmm, okay, guess I'll be making some bushings myself then. Thanks, I'll be in touch.

Any opinion on how the idler bracket inside shaft area is supposed to get lubed?
40C, 420C, 1010C-L-BH, Cat D4

Jim B
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Re: Figured out why I keep dropping track

Post by Jim B » Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:00 am

The brackets' shaft bores don't get lube. If the seals on the idler are good, the lube (grease) stays between the seals, in the bushing area of the idler wheel. The shaft is supposed to be tight in the brackets, held from turning by the set screw and clamped tight to both brackets by the nuts on the ends of the shaft. The bracket bore should be a snug fit to the shaft, ideally it is not moving and causing wear (as you have now) in the bores and on the shaft.

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Bret4207
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Re: Figured out why I keep dropping track

Post by Bret4207 » Mon Mar 22, 2021 11:06 am

Ah! Duh. Got it, thanks Jim.
40C, 420C, 1010C-L-BH, Cat D4

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Bret4207
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Re: Figured out why I keep dropping track

Post by Bret4207 » Mon Mar 22, 2021 2:41 pm

So I had a few minutes to stare at this set up today. Looking at the drawings in the books and what I have in hand, I'm wondering if the previous owner turned down the ends of the shaft and made the bushings that I found there. My shaft ends were probably 1" at one point, but the bracket bore is a bit over 1 1/4". A guess would be that the shaft ends were originally 1 1/4" or there abouts? I see myself doing some sleeving.
40C, 420C, 1010C-L-BH, Cat D4

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Re: Figured out why I keep dropping track

Post by Lavoy » Tue Mar 23, 2021 3:49 pm

No, shaft ends are 1", they bored the brackets for a bushing.
Lavoy
Parts and restoration for antique and late model John Deere crawlers.
Owner and moderator www.jdcrawlers.com

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Bret4207
440 crawler
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Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2006 6:10 pm
Location: St Lawrence Valley NY

Re: Figured out why I keep dropping track

Post by Bret4207 » Wed Mar 24, 2021 7:28 am

Okay. I made up bushings yesterday. Good snug fit. I'll likely tack them in place, I see no reason not to. Still have to weld that brace on, got the wrong hole saw so I have to get that to make the part. It's coming along.
40C, 420C, 1010C-L-BH, Cat D4

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