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  7. D2 Undercarriage - keeping an old tractor usable

D2 Undercarriage - keeping an old tractor usable

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3 years 9 months ago #226710 by D2Malvern
D2 Undercarriage - keeping an old tractor usable was created by D2Malvern
I have a D2 that has been on the farm here since the early 1950s. The track chains/rails are quite worn, and the roller flanges are impacting the pin bushings.

I'd like to rectify this so that the machine will can remain useful and usable, although I doubt if i t will ever exceed 10 hours per year.

I have attached photos of the under carriage as is.

I'll double check the rail height, but I recall measuring at or below the max allowable wear of 0.25".

What is the easiest method of determining the roller wear? Is it possible to remove a rollers by slacking the tracks and jacking it up?

I've never seen pristine D2 drive sprockets, but I don't think these are to bad.They don't appear excessively pointed.



I'm currently searching for some usable track chain in the UK (in case anyone has any available). 


Thanks in advance.
3J6425
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3 years 9 months ago #226711 by wimmera farmer
Replied by wimmera farmer on topic D2 Undercarriage - keeping an old tractor usable
Not to say you should not seek to get better running gear but by the shape of some undercarriages in Australia that is just run in so for a few hours a year it will probably last quite a while. We have built up rollers with welding in the past, quite a big job to get them out build up and grind off the high spots and refit.
Looks like you have some leaking seals don't run them dry that does not end well.

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3 years 9 months ago #226712 by Steve A
Replied by Steve A on topic D2 Undercarriage - keeping an old tractor usable
I replaced my rollers with D3 rollers, they are shorter so I made a spacer bar with 1 1/2 x 2 bar stock, drilled and tapped bar stock then welded bar stock to track frames. If you did the rollers you could get another 20 years out of that machine at the current rate.

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3 years 9 months ago #226714 by Mike Meyer
Replied by Mike Meyer on topic D2 Undercarriage - keeping an old tractor usable
These are on fleabay UK right now for 495 quid, rail height is like new and plates look nice www.ebay.com.au/itm/Caterpillar-D2-Tracks/254378337194

You can't rebuild tracks for that price, even if you could find the parts. New seals are needed, unless you want to keep the lube gun handy with some 00 grease, rebuilding those bottom rollers takes longer than you think it should, and costs more than you think it would.

I did my D2 5U a year ago, built up the rollers with weld, replaced the seals, fortunately the bearings were OK, because that adds a whole new dimension in challenges getting the old one's out, and getting new one's made, they are expensive.

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3 years 9 months ago #226718 by neil
Replied by neil on topic D2 Undercarriage - keeping an old tractor usable

I have a D2 that has been on the farm here since the early 1950s. The track chains/rails are quite worn, and the roller flanges are impacting the pin bushings.

I'd like to rectify this so that the machine will can remain useful and usable, although I doubt if i t will ever exceed 10 hours per year.

I have attached photos of the under carriage as is.

I'll double check the rail height, but I recall measuring at or below the max allowable wear of 0.25".

What is the easiest method of determining the roller wear? Is it possible to remove a rollers by slacking the tracks and jacking it up?

I've never seen pristine D2 drive sprockets, but I don't think these are to bad.They don't appear excessively pointed.



I'm currently searching for some usable track chain in the UK (in case anyone has any available). 


Thanks in advance.

Answering your questions:
- Easiest method for measuring wear is to use the undercarriage wear tool. The tool is specific to the model and there is one that suits all D2s. It enables you to gauge wear on the idlers, rollers, chain links (but not pins or bushes), and sprocket teeth. An alternative is to use calipers or similar to take measurements and compare them with the undercarriage wear charts.
- Yes, it is possible to remove rollers by slackening the track adjustment, jacking the track frame up so it's suspended and the track is hanging down, undoing the roller bolts, and jimmying the rollers out.
Cheers,
Neil

Pittsford, NY

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3 years 9 months ago #226723 by juiceman
Replied by juiceman on topic D2 Undercarriage - keeping an old tractor usable
I just replaced a bad bottom roller on a D2. I slackened up the track chain and elevated each frame to get the sag you mention. I took a bar to check for any slop or issues with the ones that didn’t have obvious issues.
Your track chains will last quite awhile if you’re only planning on ten hours per year.
I am lucky to have a decent sized forklift and tools here; whatever you decide, don’t forget to be safe about it.
I wish to think the service manual will show you how to proceed with this exercise. Fun!
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3 years 9 months ago #226726 by crookedwrench
Replied by crookedwrench on topic D2 Undercarriage - keeping an old tractor usable
We recently replaced the rails on our 4U. Pads had to punched out to 1/2" bolts.  Berco rails and track bolts were about $2200.    Don
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3 years 9 months ago #226727 by d2gary
Replied by d2gary on topic D2 Undercarriage - keeping an old tractor usable
From the servicemens reference book From the servicemens reference book  
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3 years 9 months ago #226729 by Mike Meyer
Replied by Mike Meyer on topic D2 Undercarriage - keeping an old tractor usable
I love those old Service Book photo's, the Cat guy in the white lab coat is definitely the strongest guy on the planet, in the photo above he is holding a D2 roller with just 2 fingers! LOL

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3 years 9 months ago #226732 by D4Jim
Replied by D4Jim on topic D2 Undercarriage - keeping an old tractor usable
As you get older, those rollers gain about 5 pounds per year. It takes a little ingenuity to hold them up to get the bolts started.
I wonder if the while lab coats would be a hit in the ACMOC Store?? 
File Attachment:
ACMOC Member 27 years
D47U 1950 #10164
Cat 112 1949 #3U1457
Cat 40 Scraper #1W-5494

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