Track pin removal

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Cle Elum John
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Track pin removal

Post by Cle Elum John » Tue May 14, 2019 7:01 pm

I'm doing a clutch and brake rebuild on a John Deer 450() bulldozer. I'm having a lot of trouble getting the master pins out. I built a c-press out of welded steel and a 3/4 inch threaded rod. The rod got a little sideways and bent when I went John Henry on it. Bent the c frame a little also. Heat, no heat, penetrating oil. Beat on it a lot also. I did get it to move 1/8". Doing some guestimates there was about 7-8000 lbs of compression. I am thinking of replacing the rod with a remote jack. I was also thinking of renting a jack hammer. Has anyone given that a try? Any other ideas?

Thanks for any help
John
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Labparamour
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Re: Track pin removal

Post by Labparamour » Tue May 14, 2019 8:26 pm

I have a 450B and just split one side so I could rebuild the track adjuster.

I tried most of the methods you mentioned and had to give in to the O/A torch.
Had to do it on the other side years back when I did the steering clutch.

I did like others recommended- burn as deep in each end as you can.
It hammered right out after.

I already had a replacement master pin on hand.

Darryl

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Lavoy
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Re: Track pin removal

Post by Lavoy » Tue May 14, 2019 8:44 pm

You will need 30 tons plus of force or so to push them out.
Lavoy
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Cle Elum John
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Re: Track pin removal

Post by Cle Elum John » Tue May 14, 2019 10:03 pm

30 tons? The manual recommends using a t-bar and a sledgehammer. That's like bringing a knife to a gunfight. The torch is beginning to sound like a good idea.

Lavoy, are replacement pins available?

Thanks
John
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Stan Disbrow
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Re: Track pin removal

Post by Stan Disbrow » Wed May 15, 2019 4:29 am

Hi,

Yeah. The manual is, shall we say, optimistic. I think they are reusing a line from an older manual from the days when they used the longer master pin with the round head on one end and the clip on the other end to hold it in place.

Stan
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gregjo1948
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Re: Track pin removal

Post by gregjo1948 » Wed May 15, 2019 4:52 am

Just did the pin on a 350B. Heated the outside end of the pin and carefully blew out part the pin. Had a drift/punch ready so, while the pin was still red hot, I could swing a 10lb. sledge, with all my strength, and drive the pin out. I check for movement after the first two blows and saw that it had moved about 1/8". Didn't need to heat it any more, just drove it out. When I remove master pins to split a track, I always position it about one track pad off the floor at the drive sprocket end. Makes it easier to drive the pin out and to reconnect.
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Jason37756
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Re: Track pin removal

Post by Jason37756 » Wed May 15, 2019 6:17 am

i did one and had to cut the pin and bushing out with a torch and then replace both...sometimes the hassle isn't worth the result. if you have to put that much effort into removing the pin you might be better off doing what i did.

just my thoughts.

Labparamour
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Re: Track pin removal

Post by Labparamour » Wed May 15, 2019 6:56 am

I also saved the old pin for reassembling the chain.
The center diameter is thinner than the ends.
I ground the end diameters down a little then used it to line up the chain ends.
Then, lubed with anti-seize, I drove the new master pin in behind it, driving the old pin out.
There’s a lot of bits to line up and hold in place without trying to hammer the new pin in. It worked we’ll for me.

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Rincon
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Re: Track pin removal

Post by Rincon » Wed May 15, 2019 7:25 am

I did mine last summer, easier than you think if you build a 7 style pin punch that is in the manual. set the track pin at 10 oclock position, cut a two inch pipe dia. length from rear steel portion from ripper area about 10 to 12 ". You have to put this in place to take the shock with sledge hammer. WD 40 or whatever, a little work on the arms and back. Mine took about 30 minutes off and about 15 minutes on. I replaced with with new pin. I Re built the right final drive.

Cle Elum John
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Re: Track pin removal

Post by Cle Elum John » Wed May 22, 2019 7:14 pm

I ended up burning a hole down the center of the pin about 1-1/2" deep. Both came out pretty easy after that. Much easier than trying to save the pin.
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