Cat 941B Track Fell off of front socket.

[idmastin]

Hello The track fell off of our Cat 941B track loader today. The track is still on back sprocket but jumped off of the front. When it jumped off the front the tensioner pushed the front sprocket forward 2-4 in. We don't have any experience putting tracks back on. All help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

I rebuilt bulldozers for 5 years you need to collapse track adjuster by letting grease out of it makes a mess. should be a type of fitting on cyl. be careful to only crack it open at first could still be under pressure and if it is could come out with force behind it. the problem you have now is to get front idler retracted with grease able to escape from adjuster figure how to push idler back toward rear sprocket. Its possible to get track on depending on how muck slack you have in it without breaking track but is much easier to break track apart realigne on rollers and idlers and then put it back together much easier to tell you how to do it than to actually do it. suggest you find someone with experience. Good Luck

 

[idmastin]

Thanks. How would I go about breaking the track. Also our dozer does have a grease fitting to tension. It has a 3" nut on an arm that we tighten down that pushes the front sprocket forward to tension.

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

Depends on what type of rail you have could have a master link which will not be smooth on end but will have recess in it if this is so you drive that pin out with pin driver and big hammer. If it has what we call gator clamp locate it and take out bolts. this is a big job for someone with no experience recommend finding help.

 

[Rustyiron]

If you can retract the front idler, (it might take a come along) you might be able to drive it back on. Chances on a machine that old, everything is well worn, (also part of the reason it came off). If the track is on the outside of the front roller, slowly drive & turn INTO the track. The opposite if the track is on the inside. It helps if you have some helpers and another machine with a chain (on the track) to assist things. At this point, you really can't make things much worse (just don't get it off the rear sprocket as well). You'll also need to decide of forward or reverse is correct. It's not rocket science down there, just look at it and decide how you need to move the machine to put the track back where it belongs. It might be worth a call to a local contractor or mechanic. They might have it back on in a few minutes if they have done this before.

 

[RDrancher]

You can usually retract a tensioner by facing the bucket's cutting edge toward the ground and using a hefty chunk of wood between the bottom of the bucket and the idler.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

You can usually retract a tensioner by facing the bucket's cutting edge toward the ground and using a hefty chunk of wood between the bottom of the bucket and the idler.

x2, get some steel bars, a come a long or two, and let the grease out of the tensioner. You have a job on your hands. IMO I don't recommenced splitting the track unless its a last resort. We threw the track on a 450B JD loader and within an hour and a half between the bars and the comealong we had it back on. Get a buddy or two as well! Its amazing how heavy and stiff those tracks are!