tonyoz
Platinum Member
I am over the failures of the track gear on my c140 I'm looking at upgrading it. Any else done this and what gear did you use? PM me if you wish.
C140 Track Gear
- Thread starter tonyoz
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APSmulching
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2008
- Messages
- 88
- Location
- Newton, NJ
- Tractor
- Fecon FTX140, Bombardier GT-500-HY, New Holland TC45DA
What are you having problems with, the final drives or the track drive sprocket?
OP
tonyoz
Platinum Member
Mainly the idlers which may last only 1000hrs before the oil leaks out. Berco want over $AUS 400 for the Duocone seals plus the cost of the seals just to send some out from Italy. Can't buy any here in Oz, like rockinghorse poo, have to buy new idlers. Grousers, the local agent quoted me $85 each, can't buy a single grouser shoe anywhere else. It is cheaper to put a new set of trackgear on a D6 than a 140 and to my mind that isn't right. 
Tony,
Have you checked if CAT has the same parts in their local inventory? With their distribution network it seems the parts could be in-country. On the other hand, their markup might be just as high. Just a thought…
Carl
Have you checked if CAT has the same parts in their local inventory? With their distribution network it seems the parts could be in-country. On the other hand, their markup might be just as high. Just a thought…
Carl
OP
tonyoz
Platinum Member
Carl,
Berco have mixed and matched the track gear on these machines. For instance the top rollers are Case 450 dozer/loader, track chains were made originally for Fiat 40 then later used on the MF200 dozer/loader, the bottom rollers are off a Fiat Allis and I have never been able to find out what machine the idlers came off. Common to all of this is the weight of the original machines about 4 tons, C140 7.5 tons and that the fore mentioned machines have been out of production for over 30 years.
I am considering going the Cat way and fitting D3 track parts through out
Berco have mixed and matched the track gear on these machines. For instance the top rollers are Case 450 dozer/loader, track chains were made originally for Fiat 40 then later used on the MF200 dozer/loader, the bottom rollers are off a Fiat Allis and I have never been able to find out what machine the idlers came off. Common to all of this is the weight of the original machines about 4 tons, C140 7.5 tons and that the fore mentioned machines have been out of production for over 30 years.
I am considering going the Cat way and fitting D3 track parts through out
Tony,
I've read up on this a little, the discussion from August 2009 on heavy equipment was informative. I have greater respect for the problem. Sorry for the dumb suggestion. Your idea of converting to something that is in-country makes sense. But oh boy, what a project.
Carl
I've read up on this a little, the discussion from August 2009 on heavy equipment was informative. I have greater respect for the problem. Sorry for the dumb suggestion. Your idea of converting to something that is in-country makes sense. But oh boy, what a project.
Carl
OP
tonyoz
Platinum Member
Carl sorry I haven't replied earlier but have been flatout with pre-xmas work plus traveling home (1st time since mid July).
It seams that the tracks on these machines are not made for the terrain we put them over in Australia and any flat ground here is wheel tractor country.
I will keep you all posted on what I end up doing in the future.
It seams that the tracks on these machines are not made for the terrain we put them over in Australia and any flat ground here is wheel tractor country.
I will keep you all posted on what I end up doing in the future.
treemuncher
Bronze Member
I just ordered a new front idler for my FTX140. Right at $630 with the shipping. Purchased from Berco America direct at their Texas number. This is my third idler replacement in 1600 hours.
VA 2488 is the part number for the front idler
VA 1275 is the part number for the sprocket rim at $230 ea
I've been looking at boring my old idlers out and installing sealed bearings into the shell. There might be enough room to double them up and put a total of 4 bearings per shell. If I can keep enough material on the shoulders to use the original metal-metal seals, I think this could work.
I did the same thing with a Yanmar C60R dumper to fix a bad idler that they wanted over $2k for plus a 90 day build time. I chucked it up on my lathe and started cutting some of the hardest metal that I ever messed with but after several cutter bits, I had it bored to size. Total repair cost was under $250 doing it my way. That idler is still working fine and I can rebuild it again easily with off the shelf components.
If anyone comes up with a better undercarriage for this machine, please post the specifics. I would love to find a SALT undercarriage to fit this machine and get some longer life out of the $2k per side sets of rails. The undercarriage on this machine is so outrageously expensive it really gives Fecon and Rayco a black eye for gouging the **** out of our wallets. There is no call for treating customers so poorly. I do everything that I can to avoid purchasing parts from such manufacturers and work hard to find ways around OEM if I can figure where to find it.
VA 2488 is the part number for the front idler
VA 1275 is the part number for the sprocket rim at $230 ea
I've been looking at boring my old idlers out and installing sealed bearings into the shell. There might be enough room to double them up and put a total of 4 bearings per shell. If I can keep enough material on the shoulders to use the original metal-metal seals, I think this could work.
I did the same thing with a Yanmar C60R dumper to fix a bad idler that they wanted over $2k for plus a 90 day build time. I chucked it up on my lathe and started cutting some of the hardest metal that I ever messed with but after several cutter bits, I had it bored to size. Total repair cost was under $250 doing it my way. That idler is still working fine and I can rebuild it again easily with off the shelf components.
If anyone comes up with a better undercarriage for this machine, please post the specifics. I would love to find a SALT undercarriage to fit this machine and get some longer life out of the $2k per side sets of rails. The undercarriage on this machine is so outrageously expensive it really gives Fecon and Rayco a black eye for gouging the **** out of our wallets. There is no call for treating customers so poorly. I do everything that I can to avoid purchasing parts from such manufacturers and work hard to find ways around OEM if I can figure where to find it.
OP
tonyoz
Platinum Member
Treemuncher, it's not a good idea to fit salt tracks on any forestry mulcher. The reason being is that the tracks twist to much with the terrain we go over and wrecks the seals, then they will wear faster than dry pins and bushes. Greased pins and bushes are the best to use.
Which idler wears out first, left or right?
Which idler wears out first, left or right?
Hi Tonyoz, I've recently purchased a C140 with around 2500hrs. The track gear is well on its way to be worn out so I'm interested in how you went with yours. I notice that you had a hydraulic issue, a light came on and wouldn't allow it to continue running? Mine shut off yesterday when this light came on (orange one on bottom row in between seat/bar light and drive speed light) and we discovered a loose fitting under foot panel which was leaking. We have tightened fitting but I have had no luck getting machine going again. The light is still on and I'm not sure where to look now. Unfortunately when I purchased machine I didn't receive any manuals and have so far only managed to get the parts manuals from Rayco in Melbourne. Fluid level and temp is fine. If you can help in any way that would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Bluey.
Thanks, Bluey.
OP
tonyoz
Platinum Member
G'day Bluey, welcome to TBN. Frist off, get used to oil leaks your gonna have plenty of them. Now for the other problem, are there any error codes showing on the screen? There is an electrical plug grey in colour between the 2 computers, triangular in shape with 2 wires running through it, (CanBus). Pull it apart and thoroughly clean with electrical contact cleaner, allow to dry and fill with electrical grease and re-join. Take note of which way up it is but can just about bet the house it's got the female side up, turn it so the female side is down and ziptie it.
Your not missing any thing on the manuals as they are as much help as an ash tray on a motor bike but if you PM me with your contact details I can scan mine and send.
I haven't done anything more about the tracks as yet but it seams Berco are the only supplier that offer the split joining link which is essential for me being a one man band. ITR have all the other track gear apart from the sprocket which I get from Rayco.
Good luck
Your not missing any thing on the manuals as they are as much help as an ash tray on a motor bike but if you PM me with your contact details I can scan mine and send.
I haven't done anything more about the tracks as yet but it seams Berco are the only supplier that offer the split joining link which is essential for me being a one man band. ITR have all the other track gear apart from the sprocket which I get from Rayco.
Good luck
APSmulching
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2008
- Messages
- 88
- Location
- Newton, NJ
- Tractor
- Fecon FTX140, Bombardier GT-500-HY, New Holland TC45DA
I think the light that came on is for low hydraulic oil level. Maybe that's why it shut down.
OP
tonyoz
Platinum Member
I believe it's a faulty hydraulic level sensor. I spoke to Bluey last night and they had bridged the 2 wires but made no difference so I suggested he cut 1 of the wires, haven't heard back.
Hi Tony, we cut the wire and the light stayed on, machine shut down. We are just scratching our heads, Rayco in Melb have a guy coming back to work Monday that did a training day on the 140, at $120 per hr I hope he finds the issue quickly.
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