track pads JD straight 350

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gregjo1948
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track pads JD straight 350

Post by gregjo1948 » Thu Sep 07, 2017 5:38 am

Someone removed one track pad/link on both sides. Not sure why because the sprockets, pins, and bushings appear to be very nearly new.
Maybe removed pads/links and later installed new sprockets, pins, and bushings. The tracks are so tight it won't roll down a grade. There is no adjustment left to loosen the tracks. Is there any way to loosen them without adding the missing track parts?
Thanks, gregjo1948
JD 350B diesel 6way blade, Case 580B Loader/backhoe, Farmall 504 high crop w/ flail boom mower, International 404 , International 284 diesel w/belly mower, 1972 Ford F600 dump truck, Galion 3-5 roller, Allis Chalmers D17, 1620 Ford

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Lavoy
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Re: track pads JD straight 350

Post by Lavoy » Thu Sep 07, 2017 8:57 am

Idler will only come back so far I am afraid.
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charlie3933
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Re: track pads JD straight 350

Post by charlie3933 » Fri Sep 15, 2017 1:23 pm

Did they make some of the 350's crooked?

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Lavoy
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Re: track pads JD straight 350

Post by Lavoy » Fri Sep 15, 2017 1:40 pm

Not sure what you mean?
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Parts and restoration for antique and late model John Deere crawlers.
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charlie3933
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Re: track pads JD straight 350

Post by charlie3933 » Fri Sep 15, 2017 2:48 pm

Sorry about that, I was just joking about the straight 350, the thought occurred to me, why you would have to qualify the 350 as straight unless they made some that were crooked and the parts might be different. I will try and keep those kinds of thoughts to myself.
Also what is the 40c mean just below my name? I have a 450c

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Stan Disbrow
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Re: track pads JD straight 350

Post by Stan Disbrow » Fri Sep 15, 2017 6:49 pm

Hi,

Some of the W I D E track 350 pads are most decidely crooked in the pics I have seen (and in person as well)!! :P

Stan
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pondhogvt
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Re: track pads JD straight 350

Post by pondhogvt » Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:04 pm

Gregjo, count the number of links in your track chain,, I believe it should be 36,,, guys cut out 1 link when the track chain has stretched to far for the track adjuster to keep it tight,, out of limit... and they don't have the money to buy new,, it is a reasonable idea to buy some time to save up for new tracks as now you know you have to.... and every once in awhile... instead of cutting out a link.. some idiot gets the brainstorm to weld a piece of pipe to the track adjuster to extend its length instead of cutting a link.. or because they already cut a link,, they have to do something because the track adjuster only goes so far 6-7"s before it comes apart and dumps all its grease and track goes loose and falls off..

so maybe some time in the past this was done and later on when new tracks get put on they barely fit because of added length of the track tube or are way to tight because od this or new tracks won't fit at all because too tight..

believe me it happens,, I bought a caterpillar D8 out of ohio in 1986,, tracks were very bad but I knew it.. did 2 jobs with it and saved money to buy new tracks,, worked for 2 days trying to get them on,, frustrated, mad beyond reasoning with, I could not see the reason and beat my head against the wall not getting through my skull that something was wrong,, too tight I could not connect them.. my mechanic friend helping me noticed weld on the track adjuster rod, and we cleaned it better,, at first I thought it was a repair from being broken,, on further inspection I had 2-welds all the way around the rod 3"s apart.. someone added 3"s... bought them time.. but when fully loosened was now 3"s to long from standard so new tracks could not be connected.. I had to cut out the pieces on both sides and reweld to original length,, on that size machine they are solid steel rods not hollow like the smaller JD350 and JD450.

so my advice start at the beginning.. does it have the right number of links?? if so look for the next likely culprit... grease all out.. and still to tight.. if so something else is wrong. good luck Mark.
350 loader,350c dozer winch and arch,450c winch and arch,450e winch and arch,D37p komatsu lgp dozer,D85 Komatsu dozer,D8k Caterpillar.

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gregjo1948
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Re: track pads JD straight 350

Post by gregjo1948 » Sat Sep 16, 2017 5:11 am

pondhogvt----I started this topic stating that 1 link had been removed from both tracks. Because the sprockets,pins and bushings are quite new, the tracks are too tight. I remove 3/4" from the tensioner piston and got ample slack in the tracks and still have about an inch gap between the front idle and the track frame. gregjo1948
JD 350B diesel 6way blade, Case 580B Loader/backhoe, Farmall 504 high crop w/ flail boom mower, International 404 , International 284 diesel w/belly mower, 1972 Ford F600 dump truck, Galion 3-5 roller, Allis Chalmers D17, 1620 Ford

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