Breaking tracks!!!

[inthedirt]

I was just wondering... What do y'all use to split crawler tracks? If it has a split link, well duh, thats a no brainer. But if you have to split it in the middle of the track (away from the master) or the master is froze in tighter than all get out, what do you use? I know there are track presses that would be pretty snazzy for the job, but..... we don't have one. We just use a sledge and a BIG bolt welded to a heavy handle and beat the daylights out of it. A press is the "advertised" method but I didn't know how common they are or where a good place to get one is. Just wondering.

[25c]

Hi & welcome to the forums inthedirt.I weld a 2 foot long 1 1/4" shaft to the master pin.Heat up both sides of the rail bosses and do my best "Cool hand luke" impression.Swing dat hamma boy!It's always worked for me.Good luck with it.

[QuickTrax]

Originally Posted by inthedirt

I was just wondering... What do y'all use to split crawler tracks? If it has a split link, well duh, thats a no brainer. But if you have to split it in the middle of the track (away from the master) or the master is froze in tighter than all get out, what do you use? I know there are track presses that would be pretty snazzy for the job, but..... we don't have one. We just use a sledge and a BIG bolt welded to a heavy handle and beat the daylights out of it. A press is the "advertised" method but I didn't know how common they are or where a good place to get one is. Just wondering.

We use the same method. Two guys, a big hammer, and a big pin welded to a piece of pipe. We have a portable track press but by the time we set it up we usually have the pin out. We cut a lot of pins out w/ a torch. Most master pins are under $20 dollars and cutting them out is fast and easy.

[inthedirt]

That's kinda what I suspected. The company I work for kinda "shares" tools between the 6 stores and our HQ's has a track press. Only problem is it has to come on truckline delivery and usually the decision-makers don't want to wait on it. Especially when there is one of those emergency field jobs! One day when beating the *%&# out of a pin I just kinda wondered what the press is like and if anybody else uses them. Thanks for the input, keep it coming!

[OCR]

Originally Posted by 25c

do my best "Cool hand luke" impression.Swing dat hamma boy!

But don't ever let this happen... between dat hamma, and dat 2 foot long 1 1/4" shaft, 25c.

Turn your sound up!...lol

http://www.destgulch.com/movies/luke/luke18.wav


OCR...

[Drifter]

Track press works good I hang it from my crane on my service truck. If I am having a hard time with the pin take your cutting torch and blow out each end of the pin. Let in sit for 5 or 10 min to shrink and most times it comes out pretty easy.

[zbo2]

i have a ball joint press, it's a large cast c-clamp style press for ball joins or u-joints but has a 7 inch throat so as long as the track itn't any larger it should work. you can put an impact gun on it, it has a 3/4 inch fine threaded hardened bolt that goes through it. you can torque it up, apply the heat and smack it or the link. i'm sure it would free you up from the beating thingy. i just wish i would have remembered that i have it cause today i split both track chains down on my 500E with the ole' smackin the hammer deal. i hate this old age where i can't remember sh**....lol

[maddog]

OCR, that's one of the best lines ever, use it on my kids and dog all the time.

[DRESSTA1]

Originally Posted by 25c

Hi & welcome to the forums inthedirt.I weld a 2 foot long 1 1/4" shaft to the master pin.Heat up both sides of the rail bosses and do my best "Cool hand luke" impression.Swing dat hamma boy!It's always worked for me.Good luck with it.

I always used a pin driver and sledge hammer, but replaced the wooden handle of the pin driver with a piece of stiff cable. No more vibrating hands if you did not hit it correct.

[cps]

Never used or seen one of these, but i think it would be a great tool, it clamps to the track and alows one person to knock the pin out!

[TannaB]

testing

[QuickTrax]

Originally Posted by cps

Never used or seen one of these, but i think it would be a great tool, it clamps to the track and alows one person to knock the pin out!
Attachment 51054

CPS, I have never seen one of those before. We do a lot of work in the field and my mechanics biggest complaint is he never has anyone to hold the pin knocker while he swings the hammer. After I show him this picture, we will probably have one made before the weeks end. Thanks for the pictures.\

QuickTrax

[inthedirt]

Hey CPS
Not that the boss would actually buy one... I can hear him now-"we never had to have one of those before, I just beat them out the old way, you guys are always wanting something, only a sissy would need that, etc..." but where exactly would a guy get his hands on one of those? That's pretty cool

[68ATractor&Box]

That track tools looks like it could be a usefull bit of tooling when your on your own in the field.
It would'nt take much to make one looking at it.
As for the boss saying "we never needed one of those" or "those are for sissys" and "I always used to do it the old way" he needs a good swift kick in the Boo Radleys or a poke in the eye and then buy 2 of them on his account just to spite him.

[Trakwork]

Wow.. that Track Tool is a great idea. Got a link?