Track Adjustment
Incorrectly adjusted track can cost you
money both in accelerated undercarriage
wear and downtime. If the track is too
tight, damaging non-productive loads are
placed on the undercarriage and its manual
components.
Tight track accelerates track wear and
reduces tractor drawbar horsepower. Adjust-
ment procedures take only a few minutes
and require only one person.
When adjusting your track on any Caterpillar
machine:
1. Always adjust the track in the working
area.
2. Do not try to squeeze any packing mater-
ial from in between the track.
3. Never loosen the relief valve more than
one turn. Grease and oil are under extreme
pressure and can penetrate the body,
causing serious injury.
Elevated Sprocket Tractors
Grease is under high pressure.
Grease coming out of the relief valve
under pressure can penetrate the body
causing injury or death.
Do not watch the relief valve to see if
grease is escaping. Watch the track or
track adjustment cylinder to see if the
track is being loosened.
1 Move the tractor forward and let it
coast to a stop without applying the
brakes. Make sure slack is between the
sprocket and front idler. Then park the
machine and turn off the engine.
Place a tight line over the grouser tips
from the sprocket to the front idler.
2 For machines without carrier rollers,
measure the distance “A” from the line
to the grouser tip at the lowest point of
sag. Refer to Chart 1 to determine the
correct sag for each model.
For machines with carrier rollers,
measure the distance from the line to
the grouser tips in two places: at the
lowest point of sag “A” between the
front idler and carrier roller and
between the carrier roller and sprocket.
Then average the two measurements.
Refer to Chart 2 to determine the correct
sag for each model.
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TRACK ADJUSTMENTS
Elevated Sprocket Machines
A