Thoughts on these tracks??

Kevin Cohrs · Jun 16, 2021

Looking at buying a set of used tracks for our Cat D8N. Found a set that looks to be in good shape. My only concern is on the bolt together section of the tracks. Looks like the previous owner had a hard time removing them and needed to heat/torch the area? looking for opinions on this... Thanks!

56wrench · Jun 16, 2021

how is the actual pin and bushing wear? at the very least, those links will have to be replaced and if the height of the new links is higher, they will have to be ground down to match the worn height of the rest and maybe the outside of the bushing to match so the wear is the same as the rest so it wears evenly on the sprocket segments. maybe i'm just too nitpicky though. it depends how long you want it to last and what you use the machine for. ie, full-time construction or occasional farm use

sled dog · Jun 16, 2021

Those master links had been welded. The torch marks are where they cut them apart. Poorly,

John C. · Jun 16, 2021

The pads look OK. The height of the grousers doesn't mean a lot. Usually is is the thickness of the plates that I look at. The master links are scrap metal. There is no way to check the stretch in the chains without pulling the tracks out. They are SALT so it is likely there are many dry joints. I wouldn't waste any money on what I see in the photos.

Bluox · Jun 16, 2021

Aren't those system one tracks ? Is your machine set up for them?
They will have to have a new set of master links pressed on .
Bob

John C. · Jun 16, 2021

Nice catch Bluox! I hadn't thought to look because I have never seen System 1 on a D8 sized machine.

nicky 68a · Jun 16, 2021

System one tracks.
Not worth a dime on a D8 in my opinion.
With respect to the poster,did you spot that they were system one?This is an extremely rare thing on a D8N.
I strongly suggest you take a closer look at what tracks you allready have on your D8N.
The tracks in your pics are scrap.
Read that last but again incase you’re not sure.
Keep your money in your wallet sir

Old Magnet · Jun 16, 2021

Seems Cat is pushing system one on all models D8 and below.
https://caterpillar.scene7.com/is/content/Caterpillar/C10507958

Kevin Cohrs · Jun 16, 2021

Good to know. I definitely am no track expert here. What exactly is "system one tracks"? Never heard that term before. Heres a few more pics of them...

Kevin Cohrs · Jun 16, 2021

And here is what is currently on our D8N

Kevin Cohrs · Jun 16, 2021

Also our machine is a 1992 model year

Nige · Jun 16, 2021

Old Magnet said:
Seems Cat is pushing system one on all models D8 and below.
https://caterpillar.scene7.com/is/content/Caterpillar/C10507958

A bit like pushing sh1t uphill. It's a tough job but someone has to do it. I just feel sorry for the salesman who has to try and sell that undercarriage system to customers.

Kevin Cohrs said:
Good to know. I definitely am no track expert here. What exactly is "system one tracks"? Never heard that term before. Heres a few more pics of them...

There are basically two track systems available for tractors of D8 size - Heavy Duty (HD) & SystemOne. Your existing undercarriage is HD.
SystemOne would require AFAIK replacing the sprockets, idlers, & track rollers as well as the tracks because the components are different. A D8N like yours can be converted to SystemOne, but it wouldn't be cheap.

TBH the perceived wisdom is that SystemOne tracks are sh1te....... especially on a D8 size machine. That's probably why they are being offered for sale - they've been pulled off a newer tractor somewhere that was converted from SystemOne to HD and nobody wants them.

Here's a link to the various forms of undercarriage which includes information on both HD & S1.
https://www.holtcat.com/Portals/0/undercarriage broch.pdf

Old Magnet · Jun 16, 2021

You have SALT now. System one is basically a rotating bushing design instead of fixed bushing. A system that "Cletrac" used successfully back in the 30's and 40's.
Lots of debate as to whether it is a successful design or not now.

Nige · Jun 16, 2021

Here's what has to be done to install SystemOne tracks on a D8N.

epirbalex · Jun 16, 2021

Kevin Cohrs said:
Looking at buying a set of used tracks for our Cat D8N. Found a set that looks to be in good shape. My only concern is on the bolt together section of the tracks. Looks like the previous owner had a hard time removing them and needed to heat/torch the area? looking for opinions on this... Thanks!

The value to you is in the plates and bolts . If you need new chains these plates may fit the bolt holes on the type of chains you need . That would be the key to a worthy purchase . The seller may not know what type of chain he's trying to sell and may be keen to sell to you at a value representing the value of the plates .

Welder Dave · Jun 16, 2021

It seems most on this forum contradict what Cat says regarding Systemone undercarriage. It looks like the tracks in question have been off for quite awhile by all the rust on them. Would be interesting to know why the one master link was welded??? The pads are good but unless the price is real cheap not a reason to purchase them. Here's a question, why were the seemingly good tracks removed? On a D8 for sure you'd want to use new nuts and bolts on the track pads. My guess is the pads won't fit but even if they did it could be a pain removing them. It looks like general consensus is to pass on the systemone tracks.

Truck Shop · Jun 16, 2021

I clicked on this thinking someone found bigfoot.

Welder Dave · Jun 16, 2021

Tracks but no dung... on 2nd thought maybe the tracks are dung.

John C. · Jun 16, 2021

Watch the videos and you can learn what you need to know about dozer tracks.

High drive undercarriage.

New technology dozer tracks.

System 1 tracks can work well in certain situations. Almost no one works a machine in one of those situations long enough to make a dent in cost per hour of expenses.

Nige · Jun 16, 2021

epirbalex said:
The value to you is in the plates and bolts . If you need new chains these plates may fit the bolt holes on the type of chains you need . That would be the key to a worthy purchase . The seller may not know what type of chain he's trying to sell and may be keen to sell to you at a value representing the value of the plates .

A good idea but unfortunately it won't fly. The track shoes for SystemOne have a rectangular bolt hole pattern compared to the ones for HD tracks that are offset because of the shape of the links.
SystemOne

HD

Thoughts on these tracks??

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