450C Track Tensioner Stuck on one side

[myboyblue85]

Hey all, I have a 450C dozer, one side I'm able to adjust the track pretty easily with grease gun. On the other side the track is very loose and will not take any grease. I've changed the zero fitting and when I open the release bolt next to it it comes out just fine. I'm assuming that the cylinder is stuck. I've read about using block of wood and blade to knock it loose but could someone detail how to do that? (scared to do it wrong) I've tried using grease gun with higher power psi and still won't take. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.

[LeonardL]

I know this is late and you have probably done something by now. If you have never done anything like this then you probably shouldn't try it. It can get a little dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.

So!!... I am going to give you a safer method that is a little more in your control than using the machine to do it. I just don't want to be the one responsible for you or anyone else getting hurt.

You will need a good hydraulic bottle jack that can be operated horizontally. I always use a 10 ton jack. Or if you have access to a Porta-Power, that is even better. If 10 ton doesn't do it then it is stuck beyond help. You will also need a strong preferably oak block. At least a 4x4 or larger.
Place the jack horizontally at the back of your blade on a center line with the center of the front idler. The block will need to be long enough to reach the distance from your jack to the idler. I use other blocking to place the jack and the post on to help hold it in place, level with the center line from the back of the blade to the front of the track. Make sense?
Then operate the jack or porta-power to put pressure onto the front idler and hopefully collapse the adjuster cylinder.

I've used this method a lot on machines where I had no power to operate the blade. I hope this helps... Just be careful!!!