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Track adjustment

Ridgerunner1

New Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
4
Location
West Virginia
I have a cat 304. I found a good set of used tracks, everything matches except I'ts 74 links, mine is 72 links. Is there enough adjustment to use the longer tracks?
 

John C.

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,870
Location
Northwest
Occupation
Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
That's a big jump. If they are the same pitch, the adjuster cylinder will be all to way at the end of its stroke and the tracks will still be loose. You can cut a couple of links out and make it work. I'd probably take one and try it and if still too long take the second one out.
 

Ridgerunner1

New Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
4
Location
West Virginia
That's a big jump. If they are the same pitch, the adjuster cylinder will be all to way at the end of its stroke and the tracks will still be loose. You can cut a couple of links out and make it work. I'd probably take one and try it and if still too long take the second one out.
John, Thanks for the help, however these are rubber tracks
 

Vetech63

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2016
Messages
6,440
Location
Oklahoma
Like John said, that's a huge jump. It is unlikely your idler/tension cylinder has enough stroke to tighten them enough to keep them on. You could add shim blocks to your idler yoke as I have seen in the past, but you will be pushing your idler out way past the rail frame and cause severe wear.
 

John C.

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,870
Location
Northwest
Occupation
Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
You mentioned links in your first post. Rubber tracks are not usually spoken of in terms of track links.
 
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