Suggestions For Rusted track links?
Suggestions For Rusted track links?
New JD guy here. I just acquired an early 350 loader. The machine has very low-time track chains but it was sitting outside for several years and the links are rusted tight. I had to have it winched onto a rollback truck to get it here. And then drag it off with my excavator.
I've read that 50/50 acetone/ATF makes an excellent penetrating oil so I plan to mix up a batch and soak the track links. Any suggestions for getting things freed up?
I've read that 50/50 acetone/ATF makes an excellent penetrating oil so I plan to mix up a batch and soak the track links. Any suggestions for getting things freed up?
- 440 iron popper
- 1010 crawler
- Posts: 273
- Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:48 pm
- Location: Québec, Canada
Water is far and away is the best thing you will ever use, all else will be for the most part a waste of time and money. Dig a hole, or find a hole with water in it and let them sit.
The other great option is snow, but none of that for a while I hope.
Lavoy
The other great option is snow, but none of that for a while I hope.
Lavoy
Parts and restoration for antique and late model John Deere crawlers.
Owner and moderator www.jdcrawlers.com
Owner and moderator www.jdcrawlers.com
Sorry, snow only works if it is drivable.
Lavoy
Lavoy
Parts and restoration for antique and late model John Deere crawlers.
Owner and moderator www.jdcrawlers.com
Owner and moderator www.jdcrawlers.com
Rust is a product of water (moisture), not any petroleum product, aerosol or otherwise, so water is by far the best penetrant for rust you will find.
A power washer can work wonders, especially if you have a narrow degree or zero degree nozzle and can blast right at the end of the bushing. If the tracks on the crawler are new enough to be interlock and/or sealed, it will be tougher, and immersion will be the best. Getting them wet, and keeping them wet, then driving while still soaked is the preferred way. This will gradually work the rust out.
Lavoy
A power washer can work wonders, especially if you have a narrow degree or zero degree nozzle and can blast right at the end of the bushing. If the tracks on the crawler are new enough to be interlock and/or sealed, it will be tougher, and immersion will be the best. Getting them wet, and keeping them wet, then driving while still soaked is the preferred way. This will gradually work the rust out.
Lavoy
Parts and restoration for antique and late model John Deere crawlers.
Owner and moderator www.jdcrawlers.com
Owner and moderator www.jdcrawlers.com
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- 440 crawler
- Posts: 129
- Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 4:48 am
rust
iron, oxygen and water react to form hydrated iron oxide. When hydrated iron oxide dries, it leaves just the reddish yellow iron oxide.
Adding water again will slowly rehydrate the iron oxide if the water can actually come in contact with the iron oxide.
Jim, (a chemistry major)
Just thinking about this a bit but if you sealed the tracks in black plastic and put some water under the plastic, the sun might heat the water enough to produce a high moisture content to speed up the process of total immersion. Some other method might be used to inject steam or you could set up a spray system to keep all of the track chain wet from both sides for several days.
You could also block the crawler up to get the tracks off the ground and use the clutches to attempt to rotate one track chain at a time after they soak a while.
Just using a hand sprayer is not going to work unless you are willing to keep spraying for 24/7 and never let any part of the track chain dry at all.
Adding water again will slowly rehydrate the iron oxide if the water can actually come in contact with the iron oxide.
Jim, (a chemistry major)
Just thinking about this a bit but if you sealed the tracks in black plastic and put some water under the plastic, the sun might heat the water enough to produce a high moisture content to speed up the process of total immersion. Some other method might be used to inject steam or you could set up a spray system to keep all of the track chain wet from both sides for several days.
You could also block the crawler up to get the tracks off the ground and use the clutches to attempt to rotate one track chain at a time after they soak a while.
Just using a hand sprayer is not going to work unless you are willing to keep spraying for 24/7 and never let any part of the track chain dry at all.
I used blocking to lift a 350 with rusted tracks that have new chains. It was left sitting on a truck for 10 years.+- . I could not get them to move at all. Once up I tried forward-reverse with little luck so I backed the adjusters all the way off and only then did I get things moving. I have not yet used the water method or anything else to get them completely free as the 350 is a work in progress but, at least now I can move it around in the yard.
Scott
Scott
450`s c-dozer 6 way, b-loader.
350`s c-loader + ripper, b-loader with winch arch. B-loader with dozer pads
backhoe attachment.
1010 loader with forks for round bales
a few 610 Bobcats. many attachments
350`s c-loader + ripper, b-loader with winch arch. B-loader with dozer pads
backhoe attachment.
1010 loader with forks for round bales
a few 610 Bobcats. many attachments
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