Track adjustment on 450D

Post support questions about your JD350 and newer crawler here
Post Reply
User avatar
Mr. John
40C crawler
40C crawler
Posts: 20
Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2017 11:04 pm
Location: Canada

Track adjustment on 450D

Post by Mr. John » Tue Aug 22, 2017 4:24 pm

Hi guys,

I'm looking to change out the track adjuster on my tractor. The previous owner had the seals go out on the adjuster and welded in washers to prevent the yoke from going backwards.
I picked up an aftermarket adjuster with yoke and piston and seals installed.

My big question is will I have to unlink the track to install this new adjuster? Or can I separate the yoke and piston to install?

Here are some pics to help:

https://ibb.co/e8uij5
https://ibb.co/kQDb45
https://ibb.co/fCwJHQ

hdokes
420 crawler
420 crawler
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:25 pm
Location: Mid West

Re: Track adjustment on 450D

Post by hdokes » Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:46 am

Hello Mr. John,

Am I missing something here or does the new replacement appear to have forks that will be far to short to reach to the mounting block at the center of the idler wheel?

Given that the previous owner welded the washers where he did, and the fact that you are replacing it... you could cut out the old one (that's the only way it's coming out without separating the track and removing the idler wheel) and you may then be able to slide the new one into place without separating the track if you can separate the new unit into it's two parts and you have enough adjustment to move the idler wheel as far forward as it can go. Otherwise.... it looks like you will need to break the track just to get the idler out of the way.
Leverage, it's what's for dinner! :idea:

60 Cat D6B dozer
?? JD 350b crawler/loader
02 JD 260 Skid Steer
68 Case 580CK diesel w/backhoe
67 Case 580CK Gas w/backhoe
81 JLG S35 scissor lift
Clark C500-70, C500-30, GCX40 forklifts
81 Intl 1854 dump

User avatar
Mr. John
40C crawler
40C crawler
Posts: 20
Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2017 11:04 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Track adjustment on 450D

Post by Mr. John » Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:39 am

Thanks for the reply hdokes,

Yes, the yoke is long enough. I think it's just the photo that appears warped.

Is it possible to separate the new yoke and piston without damaging the seals? I read in my service manual that the seals will be damaged if taken apart.

hdokes
420 crawler
420 crawler
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:25 pm
Location: Mid West

Re: Track adjustment on 450D

Post by hdokes » Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:39 am

I can't say about the seal as the after market version looks considerably different in make up than the original. Certainly care should be taken if it is separated and then reassembled. If you believe that the possibility is there that it could damage the seals than you may have no choice than to separate the track to move the idler far enough forward, or off, to get the new adjuster in.

The adjuster piston on my 350B is quite pitted (no leaking yet) and I have the track separated right now as I am replacing the steering clutch assembly. Thought I might pull the adjuster off and rebuild it by cleaning up the piston, spray welding it back up to over tolerance, and then turning it back to specs on the lathe. The advantage obviously is that I already have the track separated.

What did the new unit run ya?
Leverage, it's what's for dinner! :idea:

60 Cat D6B dozer
?? JD 350b crawler/loader
02 JD 260 Skid Steer
68 Case 580CK diesel w/backhoe
67 Case 580CK Gas w/backhoe
81 JLG S35 scissor lift
Clark C500-70, C500-30, GCX40 forklifts
81 Intl 1854 dump

egeor
420 crawler
420 crawler
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2014 8:11 am
Location: lower hudson valley ny

Re: Track adjustment on 450D

Post by egeor » Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:45 am

On my 350 I changed the adjuster about 20 years ago.If my memory is correct I pulled the idler forward with a come a long attached to the loader bucket. this took all the slop out of the track. Then I cut out the old adjuster. With the new adjuster fully compressed I was able to get it in place without separating the track or taking apart the new adjuster.
68 350 loader
79 350c loader
88 case 580k 4x4
89 ford 2120 4x4

mini kahuna
1010 crawler
1010 crawler
Posts: 301
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:08 pm
Location: rhode island

Re: Track adjustment on 450D

Post by mini kahuna » Thu Aug 24, 2017 5:20 pm

yes as posted above hold idler forward somehow and cut old adjuster tube to remove, a fully compressed new adjuster should be able to be fitted in without splitting track
1010 loader

User avatar
Mr. John
40C crawler
40C crawler
Posts: 20
Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2017 11:04 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Track adjustment on 450D

Post by Mr. John » Thu Aug 24, 2017 6:31 pm

Thanks for the replies guys! I should be able to get a chain around the front idler and pull it forward with the blade. If the new adjuster is compressed right down, you think it will slip in?

User avatar
Mr. John
40C crawler
40C crawler
Posts: 20
Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2017 11:04 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Track adjustment on 450D

Post by Mr. John » Fri Aug 25, 2017 5:30 am

I should also add that I picked up the adjuster assembly for $500. I hate fixing previous owners mistakes.

User avatar
jsal
1010 crawler
1010 crawler
Posts: 363
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2012 6:27 pm
Location: armada Michigan

Re: Track adjustment on 450D

Post by jsal » Sat Aug 26, 2017 4:02 am

in order to compress your adjuster put a 2x4 or 4x4 in the sprocket teeth and run in reverse it will be easier than what you are going to try

JIMi

User avatar
Mr. John
40C crawler
40C crawler
Posts: 20
Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2017 11:04 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Track adjustment on 450D

Post by Mr. John » Sat Aug 26, 2017 8:22 am

Jsal that sounds like an option. Can you be more specific. Just trying to visualize it here. The old adjuster cannot compress due to washers being welded onto the piston. Do you mean to compress the new adjuster?

User avatar
jsal
1010 crawler
1010 crawler
Posts: 363
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2012 6:27 pm
Location: armada Michigan

Re: Track adjustment on 450D

Post by jsal » Sat Aug 26, 2017 12:21 pm

you would have to cut what ever was welded on then it may work need to remove grease fitting also the block rides up on the sprocket and streches the track or you might as swell cut it out

JIM

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 72 guests