Front track idler needed for D4 7U

DustyBar

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Started working on a D4 7U last weekend. I opened the track and pulled out the left front idler. Wheel looks OK but axle is broken along with both halves of bearing to spring connection, what I call a yoke, bent. My question is where is the idler diameter measured? I measured about 25.75" out to out of center rib and 23.75" on the rolling flange of the wheel. My parts book shows 25.625 for one idler and 25.375 for another. It lists the larger one for the 7U but the illustration shown has the wrong bearing style. My bearings have a lower lip that slides on wear strips between the rails. It calls these things bearings but the roller bearings are actually inside the wheel. I don't know the condition of the roller bearings yet. Would you look for a complete idler assembly at a salvage yard or just an axle and yoke? Anyone know of a Caterpillar salvage yard in Kansas or in Western Missouri? This caterpillar fell off a truck, landing on the left front, about 50 years ago so hasn't been used much since. The previous owner said it is possible to drive the thing but you have to be very careful to not throw a track.

Thanks,
Dusty

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Sat, Nov 17, 2018 8:13 AM

bboaz

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Try
Zimmerman Tractor
13874 HWY 5
Versailles, MO 65084
Phone 573-403-7207

I have bought parts from him. Sometimes he can be a bit pricey but this is the only salvage yard I know of. About 3 hours east of Kansas City, MO. Most of his machines have been disassembled and stored in trailers. bboaz

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Sat, Nov 17, 2018 10:34 AM

DustyBar

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Reply to bboaz:

Try
Zimmerman Tractor
13874 HWY 5
Versailles, MO 65084
Phone 573-403-7207

I have bought parts from him. Sometimes he can be a bit pricey but this is the only salvage yard I know of. About 3 hours east of Kansas City, MO. Most of his machines have been disassembled and stored in trailers. bboaz

Well, how about that, I'll be there next week. I certainly will take a look. Thanks

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Sat, Nov 17, 2018 11:34 AM

gemdozer

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Reply to DustyBar:

Well, how about that, I'll be there next week. I certainly will take a look. Thanks

I maybe have the idler shaft and seal and boushing and maybe the arms too.

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Sun, Nov 18, 2018 3:11 AM

DustyBar

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Reply to gemdozer:

I maybe have the idler shaft and seal and boushing and maybe the arms too.

Thank you, gemdozer. I'm just starting this project and will first look for parts locally. I'm not sure what issues I would encounter acquiring parts from outside the USA.

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Mon, Nov 19, 2018 3:09 AM

Deas Plant.

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Reply to DustyBar:

Thank you, gemdozer. I'm just starting this project and will first look for parts locally. I'm not sure what issues I would encounter acquiring parts from outside the USA.

Hi, DustyBar.
Are you talking a bare tractor or a dozer? There was an optional larger diameter front idler for dozer work which also required an extra link in the track chain but made the machine more stable fore-n-aft for dozer work. I don't have the specs to hand for either size but somebody on the BB will have them.

Just my 0.02.

You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.

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Mon, Nov 19, 2018 9:19 AM

drujinin

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Reply to Deas Plant.:

Hi, DustyBar.
Are you talking a bare tractor or a dozer? There was an optional larger diameter front idler for dozer work which also required an extra link in the track chain but made the machine more stable fore-n-aft for dozer work. I don't have the specs to hand for either size but somebody on the BB will have them.

Just my 0.02.

is easy!
You start dialog with him, agree on price, he receives your Funds, he sends you the parts!
I always find them on my doorstep, no issues with delivery as they are US made parts being repatriated!
He always has good parts and has sold many parts over the years to people on this BB!
Highly recommended!

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Tue, Nov 20, 2018 7:10 PM

DustyBar

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Reply to Deas Plant.:

Hi, DustyBar.
Are you talking a bare tractor or a dozer? There was an optional larger diameter front idler for dozer work which also required an extra link in the track chain but made the machine more stable fore-n-aft for dozer work. I don't have the specs to hand for either size but somebody on the BB will have them.

Just my 0.02.

[quote="Deas Plant."]Hi, DustyBar.
Are you talking a bare tractor or a dozer? There was an optional larger diameter front idler for dozer work which also required an extra link in the track chain but made the machine more stable fore-n-aft for dozer work. I don't have the specs to hand for either size but somebody on the BB will have them.

Just my 0.02.[/quote]

That explains why the idler seemed smaller than I expected. The tractor is sitting on a concrete floor and there was no load on the idler, entirely on the rollers. This tractor has a Trackson tip bucket loader on it. My parts manual shows two sizes of idler. I wasn't exactly sure where the diameter was measured, on the rib or the riding flange.

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Sat, Nov 24, 2018 9:53 AM

DustyBar

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Reply to drujinin:

is easy!
You start dialog with him, agree on price, he receives your Funds, he sends you the parts!
I always find them on my doorstep, no issues with delivery as they are US made parts being repatriated!
He always has good parts and has sold many parts over the years to people on this BB!
Highly recommended!

[quote="drujinin"]is easy!
You start dialog with him, agree on price, he receives your Funds, he sends you the parts!
I always find them on my doorstep, no issues with delivery as they are US made parts being repatriated!
He always has good parts and has sold many parts over the years to people on this BB!
Highly recommended![/quote]

Thanks for the recommendation. At this time the owner has taken the idler to a Cat dealer. I'm not sure exactly what arrangements he has already made. I won't be back out there to do any more work on it for a couple of months, probably spring.

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Sat, Nov 24, 2018 9:56 AM

DustyBar

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Reply to Deas Plant.:

Hi, DustyBar.
Are you talking a bare tractor or a dozer? There was an optional larger diameter front idler for dozer work which also required an extra link in the track chain but made the machine more stable fore-n-aft for dozer work. I don't have the specs to hand for either size but somebody on the BB will have them.

Just my 0.02.

[quote="Deas Plant."]Hi, DustyBar.
Are you talking a bare tractor or a dozer? There was an optional larger diameter front idler for dozer work which also required an extra link in the track chain but made the machine more stable fore-n-aft for dozer work. I don't have the specs to hand for either size but somebody on the BB will have them.

Just my 0.02.[/quote]

Caterpillar dealer where my brother-in-law took the idler was of no help. Just said parts were obsolete and returned the idler. I didn't expect any more than that either.

In the mean time we have found two D4 tractors for parts locally. We haven't looked at them yet so don't know if their parts will match. We are hoping one will have a blade since we would rather have that than a bucket. So is it worth opening four sets of tracks to obtain and install two larger idlers for extra stability? Is it possible to add an extra link on each side with chain and hydraulic jack to press in the pins? We won't have access to the Cat tools designed for this purpose. My understanding is the dealer said he had scrapped those tools.

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Wed, Dec 5, 2018 10:11 AM

ag-mike

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Reply to DustyBar:

[quote="Deas Plant."]Hi, DustyBar.
Are you talking a bare tractor or a dozer? There was an optional larger diameter front idler for dozer work which also required an extra link in the track chain but made the machine more stable fore-n-aft for dozer work. I don't have the specs to hand for either size but somebody on the BB will have them.

Just my 0.02.[/quote]

Caterpillar dealer where my brother-in-law took the idler was of no help. Just said parts were obsolete and returned the idler. I didn't expect any more than that either.

In the mean time we have found two D4 tractors for parts locally. We haven't looked at them yet so don't know if their parts will match. We are hoping one will have a blade since we would rather have that than a bucket. So is it worth opening four sets of tracks to obtain and install two larger idlers for extra stability? Is it possible to add an extra link on each side with chain and hydraulic jack to press in the pins? We won't have access to the Cat tools designed for this purpose. My understanding is the dealer said he had scrapped those tools.

i got the whole thing available, its from ht4 loader.

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