Thoughts on making a D2 track press

I'm going through this exact same exercise right now Neil, trying to set up a press at home for turning pins and bushes, I have a Cat 60 ton ram and hand pump, but would be aiming for a electric hydraulic pump, but need 10,000 pounds to generate the 60 tons, I'll need to fab up the jig for holding the chain, I have some old roller benches here already.

My old mate Joe up in north Queensland has 2 track presses he uses regularly, he said my 60 ton ram would be plenty for D2 and D4 chains, but not enough for D6 upwards. Years ago nearly every second town had a track press when farm land was being opened up, but with new chain not costing much more than old chain, after getting it fitted with new pins and bushes, most people opt for new chain.

I want my old Cats to look right.
Regards
Mike

Take a look at my thread for how I made a simple press for pins.

https://www.acmoc.org/bb/discussion-d72/8049-total-restoration-of-a-15-motor-patrol?start=30

side seat Your press looks a lot like the one I made using a 30 ton hyd gear puller with a cross bar made for 2 puller legs, used 7/8 grade 8 threaded rods to home made backing plate ,works good on D2, on D4 I had to heat track links.

Thanks side-seat - do you think 20 tons would be enough? And what plate thickness would be sufficient, meaning like 50-100% over-capacity. What size were your all-threads? Like Jack's at 7/8 Grade 8?
 

i think it's a great idea Neil...whatever it takes to keep ole yeller going...

-suspect you would have to be careful with such services as to not be busier that you would like..seeing as nobody wants to do track press services anymore..
-definitely overbuild for safety factors and to increase jobs you could perform etc...

That's what I think too! : ) I priced some 2" hot-rolled plate 12"x12" at online metals and it was 230 clams per piece (I have no idea what the best performance/price steel would be so if something has some thoughts, please let me know). I figure another 200 for three 7/8 UNF threads about 2' long so maybe I could get it done for under 700. Would need to throw my guy a bone for some pushing adapters. What sort of steel should they be made from? He made some adapters for pushing and pulling steering hubs and sprockets out of what looks like "mild steel" but I don't know what I'm looking at, so I'll go ask him.

I checked with my welder friend and he thought 1 inch plate would be adequate for 30 tons. If you're worried you could double up 3/4 inch plate cheaper than buying thicker plate. 7/8 threaded rod should do and 1 inch would be no question. If you do a center plate to locate the cylinder 5/8 should be plenty.
I'm planning on doing 2 plates to push my master links in and just locate the cylinder by hand until it has tension.

Excellent thanks Scott. I'll start collecting materials. Only thing is that I have a 20 ton ram so I don't know if that is enough for D2 pins. Presumably I can pick up a 30t ram and use my existing hand pump