Fiat allis FL5 - Chains and sprockets install

[big builder]

So I bought a Fiat FL5.

Seems to be an OK machine. Havn't had any time to really give it a good try.

I will need to put a chain and sprocket on one side soon.... 300 hundred hours or so.

I have never owned a steel track machine before. I have received prices for dry chain and salt chain ( 500 hundred more) which should I get?

Also once you install all the new parts do they require any maintenance?

Do the chains rotate? MIne have seemed to wear all on the one side.

[wrenchbender]

Do the chains rotate? MIne have seemed to wear all on the one side.

These don't rotate you can have the pins and bushings turned if they're not to far gone, but on a small machine it's usualy not cost effective to do so. Most folks around here with a small machine run them till you can see the pins through the bushings and then replace'em.

[big builder]

yes, they are starting to show thru on the one side.

Why does one side wear out faster then the other. They were both replaced at the same time but one side seems to have good wear left in it?

[bigbadford91]

yes, they are starting to show thru on the one side.

Why does one side wear out faster then the other. They were both replaced at the same time but one side seems to have good wear left in it?

one side could wear out faster because of operator habit. always turning to one side or working a slope the same direction can wear out one track faster then the other.

[big builder]

oh ya, is it worth buyin the lubricated chains?

[OneWelder]

If the machine is parked for months on end between usage , I would probably go with sealed rather than salt .
You should talk with somebody who has gone this route with A machine that is same make and model ,
as some machines give much service on salt tracks - where on others they are not as successful
I know this is a fence top answer, but the particular machine ,and how you use it decide the answer.
Fiats Are not at all common around here

[TALLRICK]

I would guess that you got a good deal on the loader to get one for the first time. The main reason for uneven wear on parts is either continuous work on slopes or the operator who always turns the same way. Seems like many machines wear the right track more than the left. Track pad size can determine what type of chain to use. I think that sealed and lubricated tracks are the best for loaders as they reduce friction and let your machine run more efficiently. The exception would be a machine used for demolition, where you run over debris and the side-to-side action tends to pop out the seals. If the machine sits it's a good idea to make sure it is off the dirt and on some kind of slab or level hard ground so the track sits evenly and water won't seep into the pins. Also when you use your machine try and turn equally right and left to avoid uneven wear. It's been a while since I changed sprockets and chains, but it's not rocket science, thankfully.

[AlabamaDirtGuy]

One other cause for uneven chain wear is improper tensioning of the track. I have an FL7B and the last time I replaced the pads and chains I used Berco parts for a JD450. On a 7 you would want to use the 9/16" bolt option. The pads were half the cost of Fiat pads and in stock where the Fiat parts were not available from Fiat for over a month. Over all I saved better than $2000.00 just on the parts.:cool: