Thanks gwh, but I'm way short of that, still trying to get the picture from the camera to the computor! I do better on things where i can see the wheels going 'round. I'll get it figured out pretty soon and son-in-law will be home from work. I hate to pester him with the same dumb-ass questions over and over. He'll run out of patience with me and then I will be stuck for sure.

Jack

I'm still trying to figure this out. If a picture actually shows up here, notice the wrinkled up tracks over the top.

Hello Jack,that is the same as my 125.You can give it a bash with a big hammer or give the machine some work to do.I think it is just a matter of time before the tracks will be ok.Keep soaking the pins with release oil,with luck it will be ok.Good luck

I think you hit it square on, Martyn. The problem is that real work for a rig of this size doesn't come around all that often, and it sits there for weeks, or months, without doing anything but stir up a couple small compost piles. It worked fine when I was clearing land, but that was over and done ten years ago on my place and it's hard to find a big tree stump left around here.

I kept it because it's paid for (long time since!) and has very little market value. Occasionally somebody needs some real weight on a job and I'll roll it out, but outside jobs are years between.

Thanks to you and all others for advice,

Jack

Those pictures look familiar. My 9U had tracks that looked like that, but it sat for about 8 years and has only a few hours on a new U/C.... I can't believe that they froze fast in such a short amount of time. Mine never did loosen up, and a 100ton track press simply mushroomed the ends - the only solution on mine were a gas wrench and new parts. However, I would think yours would loosen up. If only you had another pile of dirt to move..... Soak in water, hit with a sledge, drive over rocks, etc, etc..... I'm thinking that they need to loosen up, and the sooner, the better (and easier)....

Rodney

I'm thinking of welding up a block out of old track shoes with a notch that would engage the grouser so it would stay put, then let the tractor roll forward and back over the offending pin with the rest suspended off the ground. Think it would work, anybody?

Jack

Hi Jack,
If it's only one joint I'd think it would be a good candidate for the heat n beat method:D Also might want to get some RR ties to park on for those long rest periods. Some used motor oil or some of that veg oil your messing with would also do wonders if occasionally sprayed on those tracks. Down wind of the house of course;)

I had one stuck after winter. Since spring it's grown to several, probably 6 or 7 pins on each side. I like the oil idea, but won't it work like grinding compound in the dust? Been a little reluctant to do that.

As for sitting high and dry, this is the best drained sand pit anybody ever tried to farm.

I think what would fix it right up is a job.

Jack

I use the oil for the ones that are doing more resting then working:D Maybe a little abrasive polishing wouldn't hurt.....guess there ain't any perfect solution.
Yup, get a job is the last resort LOL.