Surplus rubber pads

We put a new Berco chains on our 4U D2. Had to punch the 7/16” pad holes to 1/2” to match the new chain. While we had the pads off we punched the hole in the center for the rubber pads. Will try to show a photo. Our pads are like the ones in your photo. [attachment=59764]6E143074-CC7E-4D60-9A12-82D2E3201786.jpg[/attachment]

We found that trying to bore the pads was impossible. Partner on tractor has a “Piranha Iron Worker” and it made short order of the 62 pads. I think we punched the center holes at 5/8” or possibly a sixteenth over? Can get the exact info if needed. I don’t think a skilled plasma cutter can match the punched holes?
Get new track bolts and a good torque wrench and have at it!

Holes for pads were 1/16” over the needed 3/4” not the previously stated 5/8

Looks like I posted in wrong section...
Jeff M. has made a template to burn the holes.
I like the IronWorker idea, definitely a first. Beats boring holes the old fashioned way.
Your tractor is nice! Thank you, JM

JM,

So your pad without using a spacer plate will only bear on the four track bolt heads? I guess that would work for just parading around. I bought my FIFTEEN pads from John in Fresno who provided plasma cut plates with six holes (4 for the track shoe bolts and two for the pad bolts.) The rubber pads were already female threaded to accept the bolts and not the singe male bolt like yours.

Let us know how it all works out.

JanM

What is a "Piranha Iron Worker"? It sounds handy. Grant.

Look on youtube Grant, I need one of them for sure, they look awesome, or better still, a buddy with one!!😆

[quote="juiceman"]I got lucky (for once) and got a pallet of reasonably priced, unused military tank pads.
These are the originals, unmodified single stud. We plan on putting these on Jeff’s Twenty.
Has anyone gotten away with only boring or plasma cutting a single hole into the center of the track pads? Or is it better to eliminate the single stud and thread 2 holes for an adapter plate, such as the ones a member occasionally offers for sale? The little tractor is hoping to be able to be paraded and shown without worry of damaging hard surfaces. Thoughts? TIA, JM[/quote]

Them ain't tank pads. Look like PC pads. But they should work OK for the intended task. Darned things are pretty tuff. We use to call the breaded veal and chicken patties served in the mess hall track pads.......they were about as tuff as the track pads. And shapec just about the same as the actual tank track pads.


Rick