First I loosened the front idlers off and got them to slide back to give track slack (picture taken before i did that)
After slacking off I tried my own body weight on them jumping up and down to see if they'd budge but didn't at all(I weigh 250#'s). I then tried with a block of wood on top of the track in between idlers and hit it with a sledhammer and they don't move at all. We drug it a 4wd JD to where it sits in the picture and they never moved.

What are you guys thoughts on the tracks burning in the pile of wood process to free them (cause i have a really big pile of wood and a track press, and its tempting but i dont really feel comfortable with the idea.)
-Or- take them to a track shop and have them pressed? any other suggestions?
i26.photobucket.com/albums/c148/blky2k2z/Picture921.jpg

That is a nice looking Best. I think if it were me, I would take a garden sprayer and soak the tracks good with diesel or whatever you prefer then (gently) see if you can "rock" the tractor with another one to free it up. It might take several soakings and prodding but I bet they would come loose.

Hi YeLLoIrOn,
it is not unknown for the brake bands to rust onto the drums if the unit was parked with the brakes applied or even for rust to build up at the bottom of the drums if they have been sitting in water in the housings. Also seized linkage could be holding them engaged.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Eddie B.

Ive been soaking the tracks for about a week now but its been too cold out the really mess with it (today was -4 with the wind chill in central Oklahoma.

it is not unknown for the brake bands to rust onto the drums if the unit was parked with the brakes applied or even for rust to build up at the bottom of the drums if they have been sitting in water in the housings. Also seized linkage could be holding them engaged.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Eddie B.

i got the linkage freed up and the brake bands were allready back off when i bought it (I took the rear covers off and you can move the band alittle side to side with your fingers. It ran about 20 years ago but just sat on a concrete pad because it wouldnt roll.

I would certainly spend more time wetting pin&bush and trying to pull a little back & forward with another tractor . before i tore them chains off !!. All the BEST !. ps.. if you give up ,and want rid of it !, let me know!!i will come running with some cash !!...lol. Happy Christmas . pete

yelloiron,My gas 40 tracks where in the same shape.It had sit in the same place from the 60's to the late 90's.It would not move at all . I tried every thing to break it loose.Diesel don't work very well.I used marvel mystery oil and put it in a squirt can.I went once a week no matter to the weather,and would lube pins ,as best as I could get to them, from top of track around pads and from the side.It took two or three months .Then i took a hammer and hit on them just a bit and they came apart so i could move the 40.When i got it home used trackhoe and pulled and pushed down on tracks as I rolled 40 back and forward. It will work if you will give it a little time for the oil to start breaking pins loose!

An error occurred in one of the statements above. Best pads have been reproduced by Jim Zimmerman and are available. If one of your original Best pads is broken, you can order replacements. Telephone: 641-982-4207. FAX 641-982-4297.

Get two tractors and hook a chain on top of the track and on #2 tractor hook a chain on the bottom of the track then drive away in opposite directions on the two tractors. If they're big enough they should be able to free them up.

Hey Yello!
That best looks like my parson 155 trench liner--minus trencher.

Hope you get those tracks unstuck!

Think I will start oiling our stuff down when stored.

David