Cat D7E track adjustment

The photo of the right side track is well lighted and I can see that the tracks are the later model S.A.L.T. (Sealed And Lubricated Track) design. The SALT tracks must be run looser than dry tracks or damage to the seals will result causing the loss of oil and the rapid wear of the pin and bushings. The tracks look to be only a little loose, it won't harm them to run as is until you can get the info you need. You need to get the information on the SALT tracks from your Caterpillar dealer and the info for the tractor from ebay. You will need a Operation And Maintenance Instructions book and a Parts Book.
Craig

Looks okay to me, but when the backside of the pad starts slapping against the top of the final drive housing, definitely tighten up, so they don’t wear a hole in the case. Mine have hydraulic adjusters that you pump grease into via zerk fitting and a grease gun.

The zerk that JM is talking about is under the little door between the carrier rollers
Chuck C

Without knowing if the tractor has rolled to a stop travelling forward or not, it is hard to comment as to the correct tension of the tracks shown in the photo's. However they do not look too loose, I would not like to see them any tighter, in fact they could run even more loose. Too many operators run their tracks far too tight and this causes the most damage and premature wear. if you over tension SALT tracks the oil is forced out between the mating surfaces of the pin and bush, galling occurs resulting in excessive internal wear resulting in seal failure.

I spent a huge amount of my time loosening track tension off on my machines and scolding operators for always wanting to over tighten tracks, sent all of them off to a dealer evening on how to look after tracks, even after that some of them still wanted to over tighten.

Maybe OM or EDB might be able to give you the min and max clearances you are looking for on the string line.

Regards, Wombat

One operators manual,don't remember for which (could be off color) says with a long bar you should be able to lift track 1 1/2 inches over career roller. But this is old style chain from the 1950's ,and the new lubricated is run with more slack. Hope this helps a little.