Track Rebuild?

I have a D8H? I believe anyway. The serial number at the rear says 14A but the stickers say D8H. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has ever rebuilt a set of tracks and built up the drive sprockets for the tracks? Is it possible and then the ultimate question does someone have a set of good used tracks to replace the ones I have?

Trevor - Rebuilding tracks? Multiple factors involved -- Condition of the rails, condition of the pins & bushings. Sealed or not? Without measurements and inspection by knowledgeable persons it is a very difficult question to reasonably expect an answer too. Turning pins and bushings is a job for a Track Press, at least 1/2 of the pad bolts are removed, the track is taken apart link by link and then reassembled. This is not a job for the un-equipped shop. Turning pins and bushings does not change the wear on the rails and depending upon condition of the pins and bushings once disassembled, is this cost affective, or is a new "chain" better option. Sprockets are another concern as well as the expense, how bad are they worn? Most likely they will have to be removed for any treatments. Condition of the bearings, gears and shafts will come into play at that point also. Assessment of the rollers and idlers will be part of the track work too.

CTS

I think you need to identify whether you are working with a 14A or a D8H. I'm guessing it's a 14A as stickers are easy to put on anything. The undercarriage will be a clue, to my knowledge the D8H was the turning point to a larger pitch chain and a move away from the skip tooth sprocket for lack of a better description.

A picture of your machine on here would also help to identify your D8

Hi, Treevor.

If your D8 has the same style of dash/firewall as the one in the photos at this link, you have either a 14A or a 15A - the 15A is the torque converter version of the 14A.

https://www.purplewave.com/auction/160128/item/I1805

The D8Hs all had the later style dash with the steering clutch controls set up as 'pull-outs' from a protruding housing built onto the dash. As D8Dude mentioned, "stickers are easy to put on anything." The serial numbers are a MUCH better guide - which is why they are there.

Just my 0.02.

If it's the unit that is pictured in your profile image it is a D8-14a. The dash and final drive/axle are very easy to see. Steering/clutch levers definitely a 14a. Track chain pitch could be original 8 inch or many were updated to 9 inch. I think with 9 inch you have 39 links. D8h (9 inch pitch)would have 41 links Someone correct me if I'm lying here: Pretty sure the 14a has 7 roller track frame. 8H has 8 rollers.

If it has been updated to 9 inch you will need appropriate sprockets or segments.

it can be done if you have the equipment and the knowledge. best left to the knowledgeable person.

Thanks for all the replies! Based off of the pictures on the link you sent DP it is a 14A. Yes it is the same machine on my profile picture. I don't know these machines very well so thank you for helping clarify what I have. I half expected these answers as well. While I am fairly handy with mechanics I kind of figured we would need new chains. Anyone have a line on some? As for the sprockets they are very worn out. I can weld pretty well but i believe these are cast which is a whole other story. can the be turned down and have new segments welded or bolted on?

The serial numbers on your machine are the definitive answer on what you have. If the engine has a serial number of 14A, then the engine is a 14A. If the transmission case serial number is 14A, then it too is a 14A rear end. Some parts and assemblies can be substituted from other models for sure but the serial numbers are where you should start when identifying parts.

Depending on where you are in the world, in my experience, good undercarriage parts for these D8's are not that easy to find.