Hi, Old Magnet.
Thank you for posting that illustration. I was beginning to doubt my cognitive powers. Yeah, right.

Just my 0.02.

I never noticed. I made sure the grousers were in correct, but never thought about the chains themselves. 
it looks like only the right side is backwards. 
I guess that’s some good news. How bad is it that the chain is backwards?
how hard is it to split the chain with a sledgehammer as shown in the service manual?
I wonder what a Cat mechanic would charge me to split the chain and put the pin back in if I turn all the track pads around. 
 

The forum reduced the image quality, but in the original picture, I can see the left track chain matches the illustration in the service manual.

I can not explain how DIYers will put one track on right the other backwards.
That right one I call double backwards as the bolt pattern allows the pad to be installed backwards.
I can break a track and reverse it in less than an hour.
Look at the different wear on the sprockets.
I have been doing this since 1969 so wrong tracks usually catch my eye.
Good luck
Bob

Deas wrote:

Hi, bluox.
Which track is on backwards?

This kew-ree-yuss mind would like to know.

Maybe my cataract surgery wasn't as successful as the doctor claimed?

Just my 0.02.
 

I'm thinking Steve Wonder would have seen this one.
Bob
 

Hi, Bluox.
To be honest, I only looked at the orientation of the track shoes, totally missing the orientation of the links - and that those shoes had parallel bolt holes. Thank you.

I suspect that change would take more than an hour 'coz it would involve turning all the shoes around too.

Just my 0.02.

If you read his question he said he would turn the pads and asked about turning the track and R&R the master pin.
Coz I suspect you have never changed a set of tracks and you have no idea how I am equipped you are not able to make a call on my work.
Bob  

Hi, bluox.
If you care to go back and check, you might see that my response to which you posted, "I'm thinking Steve Wonder would have seen this one. Bob", was posted BEFORE DWilburn posted about turning the track pads.

Just my 0.02.

DWilburn wrote:

I never noticed. I made sure the grousers were in correct, but never thought about the chains themselves. 
it looks like only the right side is backwards. 
I guess that’s some good news. How bad is it that the chain is backwards?
how hard is it to split the chain with a sledgehammer as shown in the service manual?
I wonder what a Cat mechanic would charge me to split the chain and put the pin back in if I turn all the track pads around. 

To answer your how long with a sledgehammer, not long if you're good with it. Had a friend that grew up slitting limestone rock into slabs, or flagstone. I am sure there are better than he was. But he could use a 16 pound hammer better than anyone I have seen. I had a set of new Berco chains that I had run a season farming with 3 or 4 links in both chains never loosened up as they should. The dealer was willing to fix them and friend was going to the dealer for another set of tracks, so we proceeded to take these off my D6. In 3 good licks he had the pin out, but it was not the master pin. No problem for him, but his energy level did decrease so the 3rd pin he drove out might have take 6 or more hits. But he has passed on, so no more hammering by Allan.
 

Hello Bob I have a question about the wear on the sprocket? Is the odd wear on the sprocket teeth because of the chain being backward or just worn out? What is the problem that occurs with backwards chains? Seems like it happens fairly often that tractors show up on here with that problem. Thanks for the information, Mike