front idler repair 350 straight

[andregrondin]

Hello !

I called two different shop for having my front idler repaired
( recharge welding ) because they are 1/8 two thin and they might
start touching the bushing in a near future , the answer was :
We cannot weld these idler because of the type of casting that is been used it will cause them to break in two pieces , they can't bear any heat .

gee I'm then back to square one , I keep them like they ,are try to find used one ( which I did without any success ) and or buy new ones wich seem to be
not a easy task and pretty expensive .

any tricks or ideas are more than welcome

for now I will spleep on it .

[Tiny-Turbo]

Those kind of repairs used to be common back in the day. In todays world it is cheaper to replace with new (China or Korean made).
I have a mid 70's 450B which will need the same repairs as your dozer.
So have searched the Web and found Navy Welding Materials Handbook (P-433). This handbook has alot of information on dozer undercarriage repairs.

Lincoln Electric also has a handbook, also very helpful. I am still researching this and hope to start later this year. I have had the 450 about 1.5 yrs and have been slowly buying parts.

Like someone has said "I have more time than money". My dozer is for Farm/Ranch clean up. It will not be used everyday to make a living.

Hope this helps.

[Tigerhaze]

I called two different shop for having my front idler repaired ( recharge welding ) because they are 1/8 two thin and they might start touching the bushing in a near future , the answer was :
We cannot weld these idler because of the type of casting that is been used it will cause them to break in two pieces , they can't bear any heat .
.

These threads may be helpful to you, especially the first one:

http://www.jdcrawlers.com/messageboard/ ... oller+wire

http://www.jdcrawlers.com/messageboard/ ... oller+wire

[andregrondin]

Hi !

Thank you all for the help , I will check all that and findout what will I do !!
at least there is hope .

[jdemaris]

Hello !

I called two different shop for having my front idler repaired
( recharge welding ) because they are 1/8 two thin and they might
start touching the bushing in a near future , the answer was :
We cannot weld these idler because of the type of casting that is been used it will cause them to break in two pieces , they can't bear any heat .

What they told you is true for many newer undercarriage parts because of the new alloys being use. It is NOT true of OEM 350 idlers. I've seen many get built up just fine - with a flow-weld machine or by hand.

[push&pull7]

I have a JD 350 C I just had the front idler built up, mine didnt split in two.

[D.Light]

Can a chipped idler be repaired by welding a piece under the broken section and then building up the broken area?

Anyone still have a good used 350B idler for sale? If so, please send pricing including shipping to zip 37617.

Thanks!

[LeonardL]

I look at it this way. What do you have to loose. The idlers are made of Malleable Cast Steel. Not Cast Iron. Use a good Malleable rod like MR7018 and go for it. The worst that can happen is it will break out again.