1989 D4H II track keeps derailing

[Treecutter16]

I have a project machine we’re trying to get rolling this fall. One track keeps riding off the bottom rollers if travelling forward for any distance, when I go in reverse it realigns. A couple rollers were wore out specifically the first one after the front idler, I thought was the problem but replaced that and still have the same issue. Not sure what to try next track tension is tighter on this track than the one that stays on and I tried tighter or looser with same results. Any help is appreciated!

 

[Nige]

Can you post some good close-up photos of all components of the undercarriage on the side that is derailing please, especially the idler and the carrier roller. Then post photos of the other side for comparison purposes.

Try running a string line down the track rollers to the sprocket and check for misalignment. Also check whether or not the front end of the track frame appears straight with regards the machine chassis and is not excessively toed in or out.

A Serial Number might also be useful.

 

[Treecutter16]

Hi please see attached pictures the problem side: I can take more pictures of the other side later today or this weekend.
The serial is 9DB01545

 

[Welder Dave]

Something is out of alignment. Could the idler bushing be worn and turning the idler outward? If you look at the pics. of the idler and rollers by the sprocket the rails are outside the edge of the idler on the bottom (but not the top) and over the edge of the rollers. The full width of the rails/chains should be on the rollers and idler like shown on the pic. of the carrier roller although it looks like the rails are rubbing on the inner flange on one side of the carrier roller.

 

[Treecutter16]

Here is a better picture of the front idler area. Definetely on the outside edge up top then inside edge on the bottom pushing the track off. Would this be the bushing on the idler wheel itself or is there something inside the track fram that holds the whole assembly straight? I will get a better look around the bushing but doesn’t seem to be that wore out.

 

[Tyler d4c]

Is in just my eyes ore is the cannon seal totally out of the track frame

 

[Treecutter16]

A guy helping me with it said that one just keeps dirt out theres another in behind it.
Still holds tension and all that so that will be a winter project

 

[Nige]

A guy helping me with it said that one just keeps dirt out theres another in behind it.

Kind of half right. It is to keep dirt out but if dirt gets at the seal behind it for an extended period of time then it won't be long before the other seal cries enough and track tension can't be maintained. Also the dirt that gets in will mix with the grease and turn into something like grinding compound, tearing the s**t out of metal parts. Repair if that happens could be very expensive.......

Thinking about it my forecast above may have already happened to a certain extent by causing wear in the bush that supports the cannon and letting the idler "flop around". That could be the cause of the issue.

BTW the tracks are foobarbed, as is the carrier roller.
Whatever is causing it you can clearly see the misalignment from the photo of the idler. The RH link is hard up against the flange, the LH link has 1/2" or more of clearance.

 

[Treecutter16]

What would you suggest to do for now? If its already too far gone would I be able to use it for a bit and do an overhaul this winter; really only need to do 20-30 hrs of work at the farm this year

 

[Nige]

I wouldn't be prepared to drive it more than 20ft the state the undercarriage is in right now.
That said, it's not my tractor..........

First and foremost you really ought to get to the bottom of why the track will not run true, otherwise the track won't stay on anyway. You really need to split the track, get it unwrapped, and start looking for what is causing the misalignment. in addition to what I mentioned earlier there could be issues with the RH pivot shaft or the E-Bar.

 

[Tyler d4c]

New undercarriage trackframe rebuild pivot shafts and e bar it will be as good as new

 

[Nige]

New undercarriage trackframe rebuild pivot shafts and e bar it will be as good as new

Whatever the problem might be that'll fix it..........
Then repeat for the other side.

 

[Welder Dave]

See if you can pry the idler side to side. If you don't mind the track coming off you can probably get 30 hours of light work but still best to try and figure out what's causing the misalignment.

 

[bccat]

Is it just me, but the hard bar pin looks loose, sure lots of corrosion on track frame

 

[Nige]

Is it just me, but the hard bar pin looks loose, sure lots of corrosion on track frame

It does look loose, but even if it was and the complete track frame was either toed in or toed out with respect to the machine chassis wouldn’t the misalignment be between either the rear idler or the carrier roller and the sprocket.?

 

[Mquinista]

Just my 50 cent ,
My tractor a D5H had the right front idler bumping up and dwn, but it did not twist much... and it did not hold tension, but since the 1st front roller was so worn out that the chain was impossible to get off it did not derail at front.... but if it was in a slope the chain started to run over the crest of the rear idler, eventually leading to derail.

When i opened the tension device for repair found out what was going on...
The side Pins that hold the cannon in place, and give it the vertical position, were worn so bad i couldn´t belive what i was seeing, the gap was like 10mm either side. Made a gypsy repair and it is good now.

Also the piston on the tension system, was so badly worn that a new seal did not made much diference in maintaimimg stretch. New piston and seal on the way.

Thing is, a good repair, will require the cannon to be taken to machine shop to repair the groves, and then probably the best bet is customs pins to fit the repaired grooves.

Has anyone repaired the cannon grooves by weld filling?

 

[nicky 68a]

Those rollers have been hitting the pin ends.The cannon is right back and the stretch in the links is bad.
I’d guess,a link has been removed from the chains suggesting the tracks have been hammered.
If this is the case,you may have cannon issues aswell as eq bar end problems due to getting hammered.
That cannon is suspiciously far back and the track abit bow string tight.

 

[Nige]

To put it in simple terms the complete undercarriage system is ***ked..........
Running it more at this point will only serve to increase any future repair bill.
See Post #11 by @Tyler d4c which pretty well sums up what it needs.

 

[TCat]

It always amazes me what you knowledgeable guys can find from just a few good pics. Man!!

 

[Tones]

It always amazes me what you knowledgeable guys can find from just a few good pics. Man!!

All knowledge comes from phucking or fixing