Question about Cat 22 track tension spring?

I just changed tracks on one of my Cat 22s replacing tracks with 29 links for a better set with 30 links.

For some reason, while adjusting the idlers forward to tighten the chains, the nuts that adjust the tension of the spring itself are not turning on the long bolt causing the spring to now loosen to a length of  22-23 inches. Three of me other 22s have the length of the spring at 20 inches.

I think that I have read on this forum that the spring tension (length) is set at the factory and shouldn’t be messed with.

Can I safely tighten the nut to shorten the springs back to the 20 inches?

Thanks

Pete

Hi,

should the bolt break during adjustment, the spring is captive when on a machine with its track fitted, I feel that if the spring length changed during track tension adjustment it should be feasible to reset the spring length for the following reasons :- the thread on the spring bolt threads must have been in fair condition as it loosened easily? so with some lubricant on said threads the nut could be reset to its usual length, this could be determined by a non-rusted area on the bolt where the nut was at before--or as from my 22 OMI (Form No 4313 dated 06 37) :- 22 15/16" actual overall spring length.

The risk is yours alone in a venture such as this as I cannot see the state of the components to fairly judge their condition and any other unforeseen risks involved such as if the bolt and/or nut is severely rusted and their threads damaged.

Eddie B.

Eddie B,

Thanks for the response. I had to get some railroad ties to drive up onto so that I could get under the 22 on a creeper. The threads on the long bolts look like you said. I was able to turn the inside spring nuts fairly easily. Unfortunately the outside nuts are hidden behind a Holt blade mounts. Fortunately they are bolted on so I am soaking their threads so that I can remove them and get to the outside nuts.

Thank you for the info.

Pete

I’d leave the spring adjustment alone unless you can confirm the factory spec. The idler should be set using the proper track tension procedure, rather than changing the spring length by guesswork.