I would not use WD40 primarily because of cost but also because it is probably not too good for the tyres which are natural rubber. The same would apply to diesel or any mineral oil. Quite a lot will finish up on the road too, which might not make you popular. I think there is a case for just spraying water on the tracks once you have some movement as it will have some effect in flushing rust dust out of the hinges but to be honest the biggest effect will be just from towing it back and forwards on a hard surface. Once you have some movement the tracks will sort themselves out once you can drive it.
Whatever you do, do NOT use heat to free the really stuck ones. The links are manganese steel and will go like glass if heated enough to make a difference to a stuck pin. They may look fine but will crack if you try to use them afterwards. The same applies to Sherman end connectors too. Heat them to anything like red hot and they are scrap !
Anyway it is fun towing tanks around !
David
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