Cat 977L

[DMiller]

Shell of the roller under the rebound spring has enough wear to show a breaking rolled up edge or a wear edge that is chipping away. Rails measure across 4 Links from a specific pin to Fifth pin away and divide by 4. Should be 8.5" pitch. Bushings appear good and find if low internal wear.

 

[Nige]

Seeing those photos I'll echo DM's earlier comment and suggest you ought to get a full undercarriage inspection done sooner rather than later.
If you give Finning the impression that you're in the market for replacement U/C and likely to buy it from them they'll usually do the inspection for free.

 

[Cat977]

I think you picked up a nice flexible machine. Must have at least a third valve for the grapple so you could run a 4in1 or a root rake with a buncher grapple. Cab for running in foul weather, a great find. I wonder is it a PTO that runs the winch? Can you run other stuff like a brush hog?

 

[ChrisUK]

I think you picked up a nice flexible machine. Must have at least a third valve for the grapple so you could run a 4in1 or a root rake with a buncher grapple. Cab for running in foul weather, a great find. I wonder is it a PTO that runs the winch? Can you run other stuff like a brush hog?

Thanks Cat977, yes has a 3rd service fitted, one of the previous owners had it all installed in 1987 after we had the big storm that took down a lot of hardwood trees across the U.K. He also fitted the winch that came off the back of a ex army D6, PTO drive. He spent a couple of years on big tree clearance.
Have located a 4/1 bucket for it also.
We will get there eventually, just got to start working my way through what needs doing.

 

[Bluox]

I forgot to add I measured pin to pin length across 3 links and it measured out at 25 and 5/16 inches.

Those tracks are SALT tracks and you should have measured 25.5 " they won't show any pin to bushing wear unless you have a seal failure .
Post pictures of bottom rollers if you could.
All in all your under carriage don't look that bad.
Bob

 

[DMiller]

Not all that bad but could still end up expensive.

 

[RustedHeroes]

Last set, cheers Chris.

Congrats on your purchase! Fabulous machine and tough as nails!

Rails don't look awful, would look at changing out rollers sooner than later, looks there might be some flat spots. will burn up your rails in short order if they aren't turning. Start with a good wash and see what your up against. I went through a much similar proccess on my 977L, learned a ton off of this forum. I posted a couple threads on rebuilding my track pads (mistake) and weld build up my front idlers.

Good luck!!

 

[ChrisUK]

Congrats on your purchase! Fabulous machine and tough as nails!

Rails don't look awful, would look at changing out rollers sooner than later, looks there might be some flat spots. will burn up your rails in short order if they aren't turning. Start with a good wash and see what your up against. I went through a much similar proccess on my 977L, learned a ton off of this forum. I posted a couple threads on rebuilding my track pads (mistake) and weld build up my front idlers.

Good luck!!

Thanks, I will have a search !
Looking forward to getting it stripped some more and also learning new stuff as I progress.

 

[RustedHeroes]

Thanks, I will have a search !
Looking forward to getting it stripped some more and also learning new stuff as I progress.

Get yourself set up with a big impact and a good assortment of large swing bangs... Nothing light on that machine!

 

[361brock]

Rod that comes off top of lower bellcrank right side to bucket looks bent.

 

[ChrisUK]

Rod that comes off top of lower bellcrank right side to bucket looks bent.

Yes, both rods are bent due to the geometry of the timber fork, the rods go over and can actually rest on the end of the loader frame before the stops are reached. Another item on the list to address !
Cheers Chris

 

[361brock]

When you get around to adjusting the bearing preload on sprocket with spanner wrench, put a block under the 2nd roller from sprocket allowing the chain some slack relieving tension from sprocket. That small oil drip by final might be some wet soil that froze in duocone seal. I would move it around when machine warms up. Stick your head in there check for rope or wire wrapped around sprocket.

 

[ChrisUK]

A few pics from today. As the inner recoil spring stop on the right hand side is missing and I cannot get hold of any for reasonable monies I have had some plate cut to make my own. I think one has been missing for many years as the steel strip that is sandwiched between it and the trackframe has almost gone too. Best to get this job sorted before we start on anything else.
Cheers Chris

 

[ChrisUK]

Last few,
Chris.

 

[DMiller]

Time and age, still do not enjoy the thought working around the Death Spring.

 

[Cat977]

Looks like your doing an excellent job of replacement! I thought there was a rod down the center of the spring you could tighten to hold the spring safely?

 

[ChrisUK]

Looks like your doing an excellent job of replacement! I thought there was a rod down the center of the spring you could tighten to hold the spring safely?

Yes, unfortunately the exposed part of the thread where the nut would end up when tightened is no longer there as has rusted away ! Will have to have a think about this !
Chris

 

[AllDodge]

Once the spring has been on the machine a while it can never be used to tighten it back up. The rod moves and threads get banged up. In any case that spring gives me the willies

 

[Bluox]

Is the spring welded to the track frame?
Bob

 

[ChrisUK]

Is the spring welded to the track frame?
Bob

Hello Bob, no not welded to the frame. I will have to replace the strips too. Hopefully track split and recoil spring assembly out of the way next week.
Chris