Expandable tracks stuck in narrow position

KubotaEv · Apr 26, 2022

Hello everyone, I am new to excavators and just picked up an old sumitomo (IHI) uj18 mini excavator. As the title suggests this machine has widening tracks. they were working for a little while, then i sucked them in, and one of the tracks got stuck in the narrow position. I am really just wondering how this system works. from what I know, it is a single hydraulic cylinder that operates boths sides. and the tracks are on a sort of "rail" system (small tube inside of big tube). I have cleaned it as best i can with no luck. So as it sits now, one track is free moving and the other is stuck all the way in. I have tried to pull it with my tractor while operating the hydraulics with no luck. Should I just pull it harder??
thanks everyone.

laurencen · Apr 26, 2022

if you rotate the bucket to the side and lift the track off the ground does it try to move?

4570Man · Apr 27, 2022

You’re probably supposed to lift the tracks off the ground before sliding them. Are you doing that?

KubotaEv · Apr 27, 2022

laurencen said:
if you rotate the bucket to the side and lift the track off the ground does it try to move?

it does not move. I always lift the excavator off the ground before trying to retract or expand the tracks.

KubotaEv · Apr 27, 2022

4570Man said:
You’re probably supposed to lift the tracks off the ground before sliding them. Are you doing that?

Yes I always lift the machine up when i try to expand/retract them

spitter · Apr 27, 2022

We use to have a bobcat that did the same thing . Sometimes we' get it to work by trying the controls to work in different combos. Slew ,curl tracks in Etc. But finally it had to go in to shop developed a bad leak . They said it was a solunoid that stop the track from moving .

The tracks moved in and out with full weight on the machine in deep mud or on dry pavement. Bobcat tried to stop that leak 6 times . Cost a small fortune. Resigned it to the machine just marks it territory like a dog only with hydro fluid . My boss use to call it dust control.

KubotaEv · Apr 28, 2022

I found the problem. The stop on the track was broken causing the track to over extend. So the cylinder was pushing out as far as it could go. I welded the stop back on and all is well.