450C tracks

philztoy · Post by **philztoy** » Tue Feb 08, 2011 4:26 pm

I have a 450C loader with a backhoe. The tracks are out to the end of the tensioners. How hard is it to rebuile or replace the tracks? Anybody know of a good mechanice in the detorit area Oakland county Michigan they could recommend to rebuild them?

Thanks
Phil

gerald · Post by **gerald** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 7:06 am

Philztoy.I think with all the adjustment gone the track would be out to the end of the rail, Or your adjuster rod is broke, I would raise the front with the bucket , loosen the adjusting rod get all the track pulled back remove a pad link.I think the track was wrong to start with.

JWB Contracting · Post by **JWB Contracting** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:09 am

We have done this on a number of crawlers, especially if there is still some life left on the bushings, rail links and the rails are not to snakey.

We have gotten into the habit of counting the links on any potential machine that we purchases as we figure others may be doing the same.

I would how ever caution you that on a hoe machine if you don't have rock guards you may just want to replace the rails. The hoe makes the machine heavier and harder on the undercarriage.

If you have some basic tools (jacks, air wrench, cutting torch) you could most likely change the rails yourself. Consider using jaw type rails instead of the master pin type and they are much easier to install. New rails are not that much more expensive that having new pins and bushings installed.

gerald · Post by **gerald** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:40 am

JWD, Alot of good points there, considering everthing .

philztoy · Post by **philztoy** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:51 am

So basically it is ok to take out a Link? I think that is what was said. My adjusters are out all the way and still putting tension on the chains but I also knocked the tracks off during some skid turning. One of the idlers has a knick out of it. So is don't know if that is what caused it or somethign else. Is it common for a track to fall off if it is old.

Thank you for all your replies.

I think one of the guys said that replacing the whole chain is about the same price as re doing the bushings. It does seem pretty labor intense.

Thank you again.

Phil

philztoy · Post by **philztoy** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:20 am

One of the guys mentioned the rails. I see the rock guards in the manual. Are rails the same thing as the track frame?

I apologize for my ignorance. I am more of a hobbyist and thing this machine is really neat. I was using it and knocked off the tracks and actually put them back on (twice) But that kind of scared me off from the thing for awhile. Perhaps taking out one of the links would help me get back on track

I do have a pretty good stable of tools with torches welders air hammers and the like. I am just really unfamiliar with doing anything with this and I need my other back hoe to even move those tracks once they are loose.

Let me know your thoughts.

Phil

Tigerhaze · Post by **Tigerhaze** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 11:10 am

Track links are sometimes called "rails" because the crawler rides along them just like a train does rails; however in the context Gerald mentioned I think he is actually referring to the front portion of the trackframe that the front idler bracket slides along (grooved portion of trackframe). The track frame is the carrier that holds the bottom rollers, the top idler bracker, and the front idler bracket.

Removing a link will reduce the overall length of the track and thus allow you to adjust tension using the front idler again. However it will not eliminate snaking of the track (side to side motion) due to worn pins and bushings, and I believe it will cause excessive wear on the sprocket teeth over time.

I would recommend that you read the some of the information below to become more familiar with the terminology-I know it helped me.

This document is specific to IH crawlers, but the general information is pertinent to all crawlers:

http://www.tractorparts.com/PDFs/undrcarguide.pdf

This thread has a tresure trove of undercarriage information, including the document linked above:

http://www.jdcrawlers.com/messageboard/ ... ercarriage

Also this photo tutorial on undercarriage replacement should be helpful for you since it is 450C specific:

http://www.jdcrawlers.com/messageboard/ ... ercarriage

There is a lot of additional good information on this site about undercarriage if you search for it

pdmech08 · Post by **pdmech08** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 3:36 pm

What makes you think the adjusters are out all the way? Are the front idler brackets out over the end of the track frame? The adjusters should have enough travel to push the idler way out. And there are no stops so technically you could adjust them till the pistons pop out of the bore. Unless they are froze up.

DBCSteve · Post by **DBCSteve** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 7:06 pm

philztoy wrote:I have a 450C loader with a backhoe. The tracks are out to the end of the tensioners. How hard is it to rebuile or replace the tracks? Anybody know of a good mechanice in the detorit area Oakland county Michigan they could recommend to rebuild them?

Thanks
Phil

Once you start to think about the undercarriage as a system, it gets you thinking about how all the parts work together. Are the track tensioners working or are they badly corroded and need to be rebuilt or replaced? As others pointed out, are the pins ok or badly worn? How about the sprockets -- are they worn to a point, or still fairly well rounded? How about idlers, as well as top and bottom rollers?

Once you identify the truly worn-out parts, that determines what needs to be replaced. One of today's posts includes a link to articles about the replacement of the tracks, sprockets and track tensioners on my 450C -- with pictures. I have no experience in removing a link, but that may not make sense if the other parts are badly worn. Whether you take out a link or put on new rails, if your track tensioners are shot you will not be able to re-tension the tracks.

My pictures compare a worn and new sprocket, removal of old tracks, etc. Many on this forum have ideas for parts sources if / when you need 'em.

Hope all this helps. Nuthin' is cheap or easy on a crawler. (post updated Feb 10, 6:00 am PST)

philztoy · Post by **philztoy** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:35 am

thank you guys for all the input I will check the links. Mine is sitll a work in progress.

Stan Disbrow · Post by **Stan Disbrow** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:31 am

Hi,

Yes, if the front idlers are all the way forward, it's time to replace - everything.

It all wears together: pins, bushings, chains, rollers, sprockets, idlers.....

No, it's not cheap. Far from it. See my signature!

Later!

Stan

gerald · Post by **gerald** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 10:14 am

Stan that is so true. I got my1970 350 apart yesterday. Just waiting for parts. I got the track adjuster off tore down , all the rollers , Idlers bearing are excelent Track adjuster is very good evey thing I seen made my day. I hope the inside the final makes another good day. Haveing the right tools is eveything an the service manual. Gerald

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450C tracks

450C tracks

Removing a link

thnaks for post

Not sure what the rails are

450C

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