D31 Track Tension

powellj5 · Jun 30, 2009

I own a 1989 Komatsu D31A dozer. I am not able to tighten the left track. The grease cylinder seems like it is locked up or something - it just won't budge no matter how hard I pump my grease gun.

I've taken the guard off and I don't see any grease leaking or anything. I've changed the grease plug and it still won't accept grease.

Any ideas about how I can fix this problem?

Eagleview · Jul 1, 2009

About the only thing you can try is to clean the chrome ram bar of any dirt or rust . Remove the grease nipple/Zerk holder so the grease can be expelled . Put a lump of hardwood between the sprocket top and the track chain and reverse the tractor a foot . If the ram wont retract and free up by doing this , I'm afraid you will have to dismantle the whole thing and reseal it . Moisture gets into the end of the ram and jambs it up . Just be careful when doing as i suggest , if the ram does not retract , the recoil spring will and it will be under a lot of tension .

powellj5 · Jul 1, 2009

I'll give it a try. Thanks for the advice.

EddieWalker · Jul 6, 2009

Can you lift the idlers off of the ground with the blade, and taking some pressure off of them? What happens when you remove the zirk fitting? Does grease come out? Have you tried replacing the zirk fitting with a new one? or is that what you call the grease plug?

Eddie