Track stretcher
 

Dear kind souls ,
I do believe I am in need of a carrier track stretcher! I put the brakes and drums back on , on the long weekend. Then seeing as things were going so smoothly I decided to rejoin the tracks. Using the same track breaking tool I used to take them apart, I came up two inches short. No amount of movement or track manipulation would close the gap. I broke one come along and a 5000psi aircraft steel cable trying to get them to close. I don't get it!
Yes the track tensioner was all the way loose, the track was not caught up as we could roll the carrier back and forth, track was in the drive teeth of the rear sprocket....I was on hard cement so the track wasn't pressed in the ground taking up slack.
So thoughts suggestions?
Incidentally, We are now boots on the ground in Edson Alberta now, the Carrier is here also. Currently digging in so any attempt to dislodge us from here is going to get tougher every day. Have both the muskeg holes located and taken up positions on the highground.
YOurs
Sean

How long ago did you remove your tracks? I had this problem after the tracks had sat outside for months while rebuilding the carrier. We fitted two extra shoes on each side just to get the track joined. Within a kilometre or two the tracks slackened up and needed a tighten. Eventually I took both links out plus another!

I reasoned that rust had built up on the pins, and when you add up the small amount on each of 170 odd pins...

I've noticed that in photos of abandoned carriers, the tracks often look very tight.

Hope that helps
Rob

LP2 (NZ)

Tracks inside...
 

...my tracks were stored inside in a dry garage, however they likely dry rusted a bit more.
I wonder if dragging them behind the pick up for a bit would loosen them up some, works for chains.
Good to hear someone else had similar problems and found a solution.
thx
Sean

streach them out with the adjuster and wait overnight. the tracks normaly streach, if not add the needed leingth and drive or pull it about 10 feet and again wait overnight for the track ferries to work. :D

That's "fairies" to all y'all non-Texans :teach: