D5 94J Final Drive issues - Flat tire?

"If it sounds like a duck, and if it quacks like a duck, then its probably a duck" You probably have bearing trouble, see if you can wiggle the sprocket with a big pry bar.

Hi Team,
by what you describe it sounds like the track chain may be stretched, that is has worn pins and bushings, or broken out bushings-- and every so often it gets out of synchronization with the sprocket teeth and the track jumps a tooth.

Often happens with good tracks too when they get choked between the links with mud or snow as the sprocket tooth cannot engage the bushing by enough to drive so it Pops--slips a tooth--weak or broken recoil spring could be a cause too.
Machines operating in trash, snow, mud often have holes cut out of the grouser plate between the bolt pattern to relieve the build up of crud.

Maybe get some one to drive the machine and you watch to see if this occurs, or you drive and someone watches.
Seem to recall driving machines into the shop that did this --they were there for new undercarriage.
Just a other possibility.

Video is of an excavator with mud choked track popping during travel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrLQ2XAC_Nw

Hope it is as easy as this.

Cheers,
Eddie B.

[quote="edb"]Hi Team,
by what you describe it sounds like the track chain may be stretched, that is has worn pins and bushings, or broken out bushings-- and every so often it gets out of synchronization with the sprocket teeth and the track jumps a tooth.

Often happens with good tracks too when they get choked between the links with mud or snow as the sprocket tooth cannot engage the bushing by enough to drive so it Pops--slips a tooth--weak or broken recoil spring could be a cause too.
Machines operating in trash, snow, mud often have holes cut out of the grouser plate between the bolt pattern to relieve the build up of crud.

Maybe get some one to drive the machine and you watch to see if this occurs, or you drive and someone watches.
Seem to recall driving machines into the shop that did this --they were there for new undercarriage.
Just a other possibility.

Video is of an excavator with mud choked track popping during travel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrLQ2XAC_Nw

Hope it is as easy as this.

Cheers,
Eddie B.[/quote]


Eddie,

That is amazing that you would suggest that from my vague description. That is exactly what it is doing! I was operating in heavy mud all day long the day this happened. I guess I need to limp along back closer to the house where I can clean it up and see what is going on under there. Thanks for the insight. I might be mistaken but I think I'd rather have track/sprocket issues than final drive issues. That sounds more serious. Of course everything translates to $$$ these days.

Ken

Hi Ken,
way back when D6H's were the go there was a mismatch of sprocket segment tooth profile on some segments--this caused track popping with clean tracks but when gently going downhill and doing a gentle turn--took some finding and soon Cat had it sorted.
We had a lot of tip/trash/dump machines in our Dealer area and track packing was a problem for them even with trapezoidal holes--larger area then the usual round shaped holes in the grouser plates of snow plates.
Cheers,
Eddie B.

[quote="edb"]Hi Ken,
way back when D6H's were the go there was a mismatch of sprocket segment tooth profile on some segments--this caused track popping with clean tracks but when gently going downhill and doing a gentle turn--took some finding and soon Cat had it sorted.
We had a lot of tip/trash/dump machines in our Dealer area and track packing was a problem for them even with trapezoidal holes--larger area then the usual round shaped holes in the grouser plates of snow plates.
Cheers,
Eddie B.[/quote]

Good news! As I was getting ready to jack up the machine and review the issue I noticed the track was tight. I got up on top and walked the track and it did not sag. I thought maybe it is too tight. I released the grease fitting and about a handful of grease came out and the track loosened. I tried it and it drove great. Seems the excessive mud tightened the track. Lesson learned. Just like the manual says "adjust for your operating conditions ". Hahaha