Syleng1
Well-Known Member
Good Afternoon,
I'm replacing a track chain on my Hitachi EX 120-2 with 3400 hrs (yes still a pup) I bought the machine about 4 years back and only have put about 40 hours on it. Previous owner did not treat it very well. I've been cleaning up messes along the way.
The track chain being replaced is kinked in 4 spots and worn almost to the pins, so I've cut it off and replacing it.
The other side looks like it was replaced before I bought the machine. The chain made a lot of noise when traveling and fell off to the inside last week and will not go back on with out splitting it. With so many issues, a new chain is in order.
I pulled the front idler out to verify the track adjuster condition and need some guidance on the side blocks to track frame clearances. For sake of not knowing proper names I'm calling the square blocks on the sides of the Idler "pillow blocks" and the channels they slide in to "C-channels" Now when the pillow blocks are in the c-channels there is approx 1/2" gap top of the pillow blocks to bottom of the top rail of the C-channels both sides between the top of the pillow block and the underside of the c-channels and side to side there is approx 1/4". Meaning if I slide the pillow blocks over with a pry bar to the right side there is 1/4" gap between the left inner channel and the left pillow block.
Should this be tighter or leave it alone. FSM does not give me any specs on this. As a welder, I'm questioning my own judgement knowing there should be some play to keep dirt from packing in there and locking up the idler from moving. The roller bearings are good and I've got a slight depression in the crown of the track guide of that front idler roller. I am going to run a few passes in the center to square that up while it is apart.
Thanks in advance!
Joe
I'm replacing a track chain on my Hitachi EX 120-2 with 3400 hrs (yes still a pup) I bought the machine about 4 years back and only have put about 40 hours on it. Previous owner did not treat it very well. I've been cleaning up messes along the way.
The track chain being replaced is kinked in 4 spots and worn almost to the pins, so I've cut it off and replacing it.
The other side looks like it was replaced before I bought the machine. The chain made a lot of noise when traveling and fell off to the inside last week and will not go back on with out splitting it. With so many issues, a new chain is in order.
I pulled the front idler out to verify the track adjuster condition and need some guidance on the side blocks to track frame clearances. For sake of not knowing proper names I'm calling the square blocks on the sides of the Idler "pillow blocks" and the channels they slide in to "C-channels" Now when the pillow blocks are in the c-channels there is approx 1/2" gap top of the pillow blocks to bottom of the top rail of the C-channels both sides between the top of the pillow block and the underside of the c-channels and side to side there is approx 1/4". Meaning if I slide the pillow blocks over with a pry bar to the right side there is 1/4" gap between the left inner channel and the left pillow block.
Should this be tighter or leave it alone. FSM does not give me any specs on this. As a welder, I'm questioning my own judgement knowing there should be some play to keep dirt from packing in there and locking up the idler from moving. The roller bearings are good and I've got a slight depression in the crown of the track guide of that front idler roller. I am going to run a few passes in the center to square that up while it is apart.
Thanks in advance!
Joe
