The local sewer district is doing some work in my subdivision. One day last week I heard the sound of heavy equipment and snapping trees on a cul-de-sac behind my house. I watched as the machine disappeared into the woods. Sounds of excavating ensued. Then there was no sound for the next two days, yet the machine was still in there. Ever curious, I went to investigate and this is what I found:

Tread1 by GaryBF, on Flickr


Tread2 by GaryBF, on Flickr


For you heavy equipment buffs, the machine is combination blade and bucket by Takeuchi.

I worked at an equipment rental place for a couple of years. We had a couple of Takeuchi track hoes.

I got REAL good at putting tracks back on the rollers. When when the rubber tracks get worn/stretched, a good sharp turn will roll them right off.

The idler on the front (the one with no teeth) is tensioned by pumping grease into a zerk with a regular grease gun.

To replace the track, take the plug out of the tensioner assembly, push the roller all the way in with the bucket (thereby squirting grease a goodly distance) rotate the boom around so you can pick the problematic side of the hoe up off the ground, manhandle the track back over the rollers, replace the zerk/plug assembly and pump 'er full of grease until you get the requisite tension.

Nearly as easy as it sounds, unless the track came off in the middle of a big ol' mudhole or is crammed full of brush, or sitting astride a stump or ...

Send for mbinky

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Send for mbinky

Yeah, that's abandoned for certain. Put it on Craiglist and send me an "Advice Provider's Fee".