Track adjustment issues

[Eli]

I'm having issues with adjusting the track on a 440 icd crawler, took hours to loosen the slider bolts with torch, one broke, wouldn't even come out with a welded nut, had to drill and retap.
Manual says special grease gun to push the adjuster, Is that just a battery powered one? Manual grease gun didn't move it at all.
Thanks.

[Eli]

Also another question, it seems like both tracks are backwards? The pins have to be pushed from inside out and I watched videos and people have the pins pushed from outside in.
I have to do clutches and seals so it will be a good time to switch them around if necessary.
Thanks.

[Jim B]

I don't think a battery-operated grease gun would have been very common back in the years of a 440IC. It would have been a good high-pressure grease gun possibly with a button fitting head. Greasing track rolls and idlers used low-pressure high-volume grease guns.

If the rod has rusted in the adjuster barrel, it will be hard to get it to move. You will need a good grease gun capable of developing 10,000 psi. You may want to get some hydraulic fitting adapters and connect the hose right into the adjuster without using a zerk. Stay to the side when you pressurize it. with pressure on it try tapping on the side of the barrel. You might try some heat on the barrel.

A good port-a-power pump will develop 10,000 psi and could be used. Oil will work as well as grease unless the seal is leaking.

[jimmydiesel]

You can also relieve the pressure in the tensioner and move the machine back and forth. So that it try’s to loosen the track.
Remove the cap (10) loosen the set screw (9) a couple of turns. This will let grease by the ball (8) and release any pressure in the tensioner. Then remove the grease fitting (11). Move the machine back and forth. If it is still stuck— more heat and run the front of the track up against a stump or other solid object. Rinse and repeat.

[Eli]

Thanks for the replies, I will try the recommendations.
Has anyone tried to replace this setup with a manually adjusted rod? Can still keep the spring for shock absorbing.
I'm just trying to plan ahead in case parts are not available anymore.

[Jim B]

I am going to suggest you pick the phone up and give Lavoy a call, before heading down the road of changing to a manual adjuster. He will know what parts he has available or can get.

[Eli]

OK, is his phone number posted somewhere in the forum?

[Jim B]

His phone number is on the home page and on the parts listing page. It is 701-361-1006. He is in the central time zone so that number should be good during regular CST business hours.

[Eli]

Thanks, also I have a problem with the track pad bolts, more than half my pads are loose and move a lot, I removed one pad and the holes are elongated, 5/8" just falls in and wiggle a lot, my option is to die grind the hole a little and install 18mm bolts but they are very expensive, anyone tried to enlarge the holes to 3/4"? Seems to much and won't leave much thickness on the chain if I do that.