Track Alignment on 40c 4 roller

[fundytides]

I have recently done some work on my undercarriage-rollers, idler track chain etc. and now need to adjust my track alignment. I have both the JD Service Manual and the the JD Operator's Manual. I am a bit confused. The Service manual says "tighten adjusting nut on tension bolt at side of track frame that shows the most clearance between idler flange and track link". The Operators Manual says "turn adjusting nut on tension bolt clockwise on side which shows least clearance between link and idler flange." Is one of these a misprint or am I not understanding something? Any clarification would be appreciated.

[Jim B]

I believe tightening the nut on the side with the most clearance, which I would say pushes that side ahead, accomplishes the same thing as turning the nut clockwise, on the side with the least clearance, which should move the nut and idler bracket on that side, back towards the recoil spring.

[fundytides]

OK. Through trial and error, I found that if I tighten the track (move the idler forward) on the side with the most clearance, that solves the problem. I did this with the tractor lifted on the side I was working on so I could run that track after each trial adjustment. I'll see what happens after I get it outside and working. If this is ok, I will probably have to make a final adjustment on the track tension by adjusting both brackets equally. The inner adjustment is hard to work on due to dozer arms. I have a crowfoot wrench which helps but still slow work.