17
General Information
ALIGNMENT
General Statements
about Alignment Problems,
Symptoms, Causes,
Effects and Remedies:
1. The larger and heavier the machine and
the more severe impact, the greater
likelihood of temporary and permanent
alignment problems.
2. Alignment problems of roller frame
idler and sprocket will affect all links
the same.
3. Alignment problems of roller frame,
idler and sprocket will affect rollers
unequally from front to rear and from
inner to outer flanges and treads.
4. Horizontal straightness of roller frame
will not affect track but will affect front
and/or rear roller treads compared to
center.
5. Snaky track will not cause near the
degree of damage as compared to mis-
alignment.
6. Carrier rollers can be used as a more
visual indicator of roller frame align-
ment but are not as reliable as compar-
ing track rollers.
7. If left side of tractor has different mis-
alignment-type wear patterns than
right side, the problem is probably due
to permanent, rather than temporary,
(working loads) causes.
8. Unbalanced loads due to side hill
operation will result in front to rear
and left side to right side similarly in
wear patterns on all parts affected.
9. If misalignment is suspected, it is impor-
tant to at least measure the misalign-
ment degree, if not completely correct
it before installing new undercarriage
components.
10. Tight track increases the effect of all
types of alignment problems because
it increases the loads between the
interfering components.
For more complete descriptions and cross
reference of specific component wear pat-
terns that may be caused by misalignment,
refer to the discussions under each compo-
nent and model.
Lateral Displacement
When viewed from top or rear, sprocket is
parallel to but moved in or out with
respect to tractor and roller frame.
CAUSE: sprocket not pressed proper dis-
tance onto shaft
EFFECT: inboard or outboard sprocket
sides and rail insides worn selectively,
may affect rear roller flanges
REMEDY: re-position sprocket on shaft