Track adjustment 963B

[Be4hopper]

New to HEF but just purchased a 963B and tracks seem a little loose. When backing up And turning it seems to be jumping/ popping on sprockets. Under carriage is CAT and it hasn’t been adjusted since installing I believe.
Any suggestions or instructions will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Dave Neubert]

I would use 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inch slack between idler and top roller

 

[Be4hopper]

I would use 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inch slack between idler and top roller

Ok where’s idler, this is my first track machine.

 

[Be4hopper]

Ok where’s idler, this is my first track machine I think it’s puller or roller on front right.

 

[Nige]

See if the attached is any help.
If this is your first track loader an Operation & Maintenance Manual would be invaluable to you. The attachment on track adjustment is taken from it.

You can get a genuine Cat manual on CD for $43 + S&H - https://www.ebay.com/itm/304789367618?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28

 

[Be4hopper]

Appreciate the info
sorry man I had a brain fart trying to do 10 different things at the same time

 

[Be4hopper]

See if the attached is any help.
If this is your first track loader an Operation & Maintenance Manual would be invaluable to you. The attachment on track adjustment is taken from it.

You can get a genuine Cat manual on CD for $43 + S&H - https://www.ebay.com/itm/304789367618?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28

 

[Be4hopper]

I will get one on order, I have them for my tractors and 446 extendahoe

 

[DMiller]

Adjuster is a Grease fitting under a cover on top of Rail Frame. Pressures the Cannon out of its bore.

 

[Nige]

Appreciate the info

Please pay particular attention to Step 8 of the track adjustment procedure where it mentions checking measurement X, where X must be less than 5.4".

 

[Be4hopper]

Well gents I adjusted my tracks and they just went back to original position after driving for 30 minutes.
I couldn’t see a relief valve so I just loosened grease fitting to let track rod go back the 10mm. Ended up having 1”3/4 checking with the string.
The undercarriage has less than 400 hrs on it but I think the seals must be blown because rod was only out an inch after adjusting and is back in now.
Any instructions on how to replace seals?
Or what the relief valve looks like!

 

[Nige]

I couldn’t see a relief valve so I just loosened grease fitting to let track rod go back the 10mm.

On your machine the functions adding grease to extend the adjuster and the relief valve are all acomplished by one common valve. You add grease via the zerk on the top and crack the complete valve loose with a wrench to back off the adjuster.

If the seals in the adjuster are leaking there ought to be signs of fresh grease in the area indicated by the arrow in the illustration below.

 

[Be4hopper]

Your awesome Nige, there is fresh grease there, so my assumption of seal replacement is correct but doesn’t look to complicated.
I ca use my 446 extendahoe to do the lifting.

 

[Nige]

The attached might help.

Step 2 of the procedure to remove the track adjusters is likely to be nowhere near as easy as it sounds in the procedure. First I would suggest that you run a thread tap (plug tap for preference) into the forcing bolt holes to clean out the dirt and corrosion. Put plenty of anti-seize on the forcing bolts beforehand.
Getting the adjuster to come out of the bore in the frame is likely to involve much cursing, maybe some heat, and big hammers. It will probably be corroded in there.

 

[Be4hopper]

Ok I’ll take your word for it and thanks again!

 

[Nige]

Just take care when you are working around that area. There is a f'kin great big spring right behind that tensioner assembly.

 

[Be4hopper]

Yea I see that, but I’m hoping since there’s no tension being applied that they won’t be compressed much!

 

[Be4hopper]

I have one more question for you.
Is there a master link in the track chain

 

[Nige]

Is there a master link in the track chain

If it has Cat undercarriage there should be a crocodile-style split master link. If it has aftermarket undercarriage, who knows.? it should be easy enough to find a split master link if it has one, just look at the track from the side. The master link will be "solid", the rest of the links you can see through them.

 

[Be4hopper]

Yea it’s got a cat undercarriage with less than 400 hrs on it