#213 Idler Axles and the two #214 Rear Axles and
are lubricated from the sides of the Crawler (See
Part Drawing MH-B).
The Front Idler Sprocket assemblies have
#1523 grease fittings mounted in their Tubes and
are lubricated from the front of the track on the
inside part of the tube by the yellow spring. The
tracks may have to be rotated to find this 45
degree grease fitting. (See Photo MH-12). It is a
good idea to clean out the track system of debris
each time you lubricate to spot problems before
they become expensive maintenance items.
TRACK IDLER MAINTENANCE
NOTE
: The #1218 Track Idlers are made of a
slightly softer steel than the Track Chain. This has
been done to allow the inevitable wear to be
concentrated on the less expensive Idlers thereby
protecting and greatly extending the life of the
much more expensive Track Chain.
The Track Idlers, after a few hours of running
time, will have their inside walls
hard-peened
into
a configuration that will precisely mate with the
contour of the Track Chain they are guiding. This
peening
process creates not only a mating inside
surface on each Idler, but also rolls a wider
extended
edge
around
each
Idler’s
circumference. In addition, the Idler surfaces are
“work hardened” by being
peened
against the
harder Track Chain.
The #1218 Track idlers are equipped with two
internal oilite bushings. As these bushings wear
the idler will become loose on the axle. These
bushings can be replaced to extend the life of the
idler.
The 4.5” diameter flanges of the #1218 idlers will
continue to wear over time.
Individual idlers
should be replaced when track chains begin
wearing into the tube connecting the flanges.
TRACK SHOES
Your Crawler comes from the factory without
any Track Shoes being installed unless you had
the factory install them for a fee. You can safely
run your Crawler without Track Shoes, but under
average soil conditions you will be able to attain
only about 70% of your Crawler’s tractive ability.
To gain more traction, you can add the A-
TSO40 GROUSER SHOE KIT or A-TSO45P
NON-MARKING SHOE KIT. Under average soil
conditions, the addition of Non-Marking Shoes to
your Track will increase traction to approximately
80% of your Crawler’s tractive ability.
Adding
Grouser Shoes will give you the greatest tractive
ability your Crawler can deliver.
GROUSER SHOE INSTALLATION
Align 3/8” square holes in each Grouser Shoe
with mating 3/8” square holes in
top outside face
of each Track Plate and secure with
3/8x3/4”
Carriage Bolts and 3/8” Flange Lock Nuts.
Using pneumatic tools to do this installation
will greatly speed up the process.
In addition,
securely blocking the tractor on it’s round steel
tubing that goes through the undercarriage is a
good place to block the tractor. Once you have the
tractor up and well blocked, you can run the tracks
around to help with the installation of the shoes. If
you choose not to block the tractor and do the
installation with the tractor firmly on the ground;
you will have to run the tractor forward every
couple of feet to do the installation.
NON-MARKING SHOE INSTALLATION
The method for blocking the tractor is the
same. See the instructions for optional A-TSO45P
Non-Marking Shoes.
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