Alan, you are truly an inspiration! Your level of determination and self preservation is off of the charts insane!!! Today's young people would benefit so much from your example.... as I fear the next generations will lack the willingness to work so hard and the knowledge to do what you are doing! In a Mad Max sort of world... which is kinda how I see your fortress... there will be very few that would survive, and an Xbox or an iPhone isn't going to do it for them... you sir.. are a shining example of excellence! God bless you, and be safe!
Relax bro,. Alan isn't gonna save the next generation and your comment is just projecting your insecurities just say great video keep it up or simply like the video why's it gotta be about the world's problems
Ashamed to say I'm guilty of this. I currently have a machine with 22 long and 4ft 6 wide tracks with one side welded, seasonal work in a panic, now I have to pay the price, hey u gotta survive!!!
Alan, it takes a real man to expose this kind of ridiculous "repair attempt" by the previous owners without publicly shaming and humiliating them. Your "can do" attitude and positivity are an inspiration. That said, I'd personally be tracking down the culprit and exposing them to the whole world.
The kind of guy that does that type of botch work you are better off just avoiding em completely . Not ever meeting them is a blessing in disguise . Alan on the other hand is an inspiration for all . What an incredibly hard working guy. My back hurts just watching him
I am guessing the last owners simply bodged her up to do one last job for them, maybe thinking she would be off to the scrap yard after that - to meet the cutters torch. Well, she met a torch alright, only it was not the scrap yards torch, it was Alan, bringing new life to the old girl!
Old dogs really can be taught new stuff. You showed me how to remove some old frozen bolts in several of my antique farm tractors. You are The Wizard. Thanks Alan!
@steventaylor681 I have broken bolts and welded a nut on spun it out heat is a man's best friend when it comes to stuck bolts penetrative fluid is good too. Wurth Rostoff is gold in my book I have had quite a bit of success with their product. Hope that helps a bit too you will thank me later for that Wurth stuff.
Not-Built-Right - I've used all the methods you mentioned and had good luck over the years. What I learned from Alan was the pounding on the end of the broken bolt. I can see how that would help knock some to the rust loose.
I believe the reason they welded it was either the zerk fitting was leaking causing the cylinder not to hold pressure or there is a leak in the seal making it lose grease when it's being used causing the track to loosen up so they welded it to keep it from moving.
They had to have thought "I got it tight, just weld it in place and I'll never have to grease it again" haha. A fools dream to stop spending money on grease.
Looking forward to part 2. I appreciate your ability to think things through & troubleshoot. I do my best to do the same whenever possible. The sad reality is that not enough people do that anymore
No wonder they call you Wizard Alan as you do so much and enjoy your videos and messages m8. Petersen Vice Grips are fantastic and 50 year old tools and any mechanic knows a quality tool. Alway love to see you videos. Thank You M8 as your a pleasure to watch.
Alan the 🧙♂️WIZARD🧙♂️,jack of all trades and master of all👌, 💙 from Ireland 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪 the knowledge you have is astonishing 😲 you can put ur hands to anything to create something amazing or make something work, your videos are amazing, I've learnt so much watching you, we need to see more of ur content, it's amazing to see ur channel grow so quickly and its well deserved 👏 I'm watching since your very first upload Thank you Alan 💯 💙👍
I can’t imagine what the guy was thinking when he welded that solid, crazy repair that only a wizard cold fix. Great job Alan sheer determination is all I can say. Until next video.😀👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I couldn't figure out why anyone would weld up those track tensioners. Heck I couldn't even figure how those move with just a bit of grease pressed into them. But I watched you work like I have never had to do and marvel at your tenacity.
Those adjusters are just a hydraulic cylinder. You just pump in grease instead of hydraulic fluid. For those that don't know how a hydraulic cylinder works, the cylinder is a tube with a piston inside. When you pump fluid into one end of the cylinder it pushes the piston. Some are single acting cylinders where fluid extends the cylinder and the weight of the load retracts the cylinder. Some are double acting cylinders. On these you pump fluid in one end of the cylinder to extend it, pump fluid in the other end to retract it. The adjusters on the tracks are single acting cylinders. You pump grease in to extend the cylinder. To retract you pul out the plug where you pump in the grease to release the grease. You have to then push on to track to push the adjuster wheel back. Such as when replacing worn or broken parts like tracks, drive sprockets or idlers wheels.
Alan: I would remove those grease zerks(?) And tap them for a standard replacable one at the shop. Should be easy. Next I would get a sawzall with a fine blade to run over the top of those skid plates to remove any welds or slag you couldnt reach with the gri nder. Good luck, love the vids.
I am just an old lady that finds this stuff interesting. I don't understand any of the mechanical workings, but enjoy watching. Put a camera up on the top to show the surrounding landscape. It is pretty and would like to see all around. Must be great to be up there with that view!!
ive worked on many 955 977 and 983 old track loaders. those front idlers geometry is ridiculous. between wear bars going bad and springs/shims and finding the correct spacing to get it the idler running straight in the rail, it can be a real chore. props to you for undertaking the challenge!!!! quick tip if your track adjuster seals ever failing you dont have to pull the idler out. take the 6 bolts from the rod off to the piston then either porta power or bar the assembly forward and dont split the track in half. saves a ton of time. then put air pressure in the grease fitting to shove the piston out only 2 inches and you can reseal it right there! good luck!
Great work Alan! You really are a lateral thinker and improviser, but most of all, man, you are determined! All the elements required for success. More power to you.
You're a true artist - mechanic. Seeking the understanding, and constantly improving your interest, knowledge and understanding of things. While never giving up, at least not easily, lol. And just engage and see what it leads to. Is true science and seeking knowledge. I like it. The Cat will go and better than it did. Great work!
Thats just plain bloody rough welding that up. They must have done it for a reason because most people don't do crap repairs like that unless there no other way to economically repair it or they don't have time to repair it. Good luck Alan.
❤ This is a very good start to figure out why someone thought they had do a fix this way. Enjoyed watching this episode Alan. Keep em coming love your content.
knowing when to apply the hammer helps. I use a pipe wrench and a cheater after warming things up. your right about it working better after you clean it, great job ,sir. Waiting to see more. the wind may stop, the sun goes down, gravity never sleeps. your on a mountain top.
Congratulations on getting that far. I had a feeling this would be a difficult fix. For now there's no telling what the original issue was. Good luck wizard!
These people who bodge the jobs it takes five times longer to bodge it than to do it correctly in the first place . Great job Alan if any one can do it you can . Stay safe
Why don't you have a light tower out there? It would help you tremendously with winter coming on. You could probably buy one at auction (a fixer upper) and with your skills have it going in no time.
You and I are very similar in the way we approach things. Glad you are getting it back to right. You will be happy with the machine once you get it working reliably.
You're a wizard of a human Alan! Nothing seems to ever come close to stopping you! Always love when the wizard posts and will always give you a view for sure 100% through!
Those blocks are springs to keep the front idler from wearing the bushings on the side to side motion of the track . They welded them because there is an issue with the grease tensioner ram seals are out or something.
On the bad grease zerks, pull the plug the zerk is in. Grind the zerk off flush with the plug. Drill out the hole the grease flows through and tap for the new zerk.
Take the grease caps off and drill the old grease nipple out then tap a thread for the new grease nipple. That way you will be able to replace them in future
Alan im sure other would agree but id love to see a walk around video showin your collection of miltary vehicles and other equipment, you could show what runs and what does not and what they need.just something to think about,stay safe and god bless.
I saw a small air belt sander at Harbor Freight; only about a half inch tall, with a 5" or so reach. Be perfect for that small partly enclosed area that needs to be smooth. The hell of it is, all the proper repair parts are readily available from Cat; there was literally zero reason for the previous owner to weld the adjusters together.
I got a D7E and the previous owner had cut pipe and had it clamped around the cylinder shaft because the seals was bad and wouldn’t hold grease, it worked to keep the tracks tight but I got them rebuilt and fixed right !
That's just crazy to weld them down. the grease jack on the joy miner's that we use at the mine take shims to keep them out and tight the grease jack just isn't strong enough to hold the pressure
Grease fitting holds pressure. Can not simply remove it. First you release the pressure by loosening the "tall bolt" (bleeder bolt) next to it. Loosen, not remove. Special grease fitting, not a hardware store item. CAT 190-8609.
So I think the grease into the cylinder moves the track and that assembly you cut free is a system of springs holding down a piece of steel slide with slanted one way teeth holding it from going back loose under load it may be at the end of adjustment
Hey Allen love all your projects, very kool!!!! are you aware of C&CEquipment channel???? those guys tear down the stuff you are working on all the time I'm sure they would have the parts you need. Bad thing is they are in Indiana, but thats why everyone can ship stuff anywhere. Keep on going man, I'd love to be out there with you but I'm pushing 70 now, you go man!!! Gary
looks like they went happy with the welder, welded the grease thing inplace and then ground it smooth, you need an atv with a camera mount on its bull bars so you can film yourself using its headlamps as light
Hey wizzard here's an Idea - those zerk caps look machined with the zerk. Just chuck it up in a lathe and machine it off and drill it out to fit new zerk - looks lilke that was at least a 1/8 pipe thread on that new one.
Wizard, Would a female air fitting or hydraulic fitting fit in the place of the zerc? A make end should be easy to adapt to the grease gun. In fact using air pressure to assist wouldn't hurt. You're truly the wizard of all things.
Alan, you are truly an inspiration! Your level of determination and self preservation is off of the charts insane!!! Today's young people would benefit so much from your example.... as I fear the next generations will lack the willingness to work so hard and the knowledge to do what you are doing! In a Mad Max sort of world... which is kinda how I see your fortress... there will be very few that would survive, and an Xbox or an iPhone isn't going to do it for them... you sir.. are a shining example of excellence! God bless you, and be safe!
Perhaps, but they have a better shot of defeating the future AI overlords than our generation would.
Relax bro,. Alan isn't gonna save the next generation and your comment is just projecting your insecurities just say great video keep it up or simply like the video why's it gotta be about the world's problems
The next generation already lacks the "working hard" willingness or attitude. The want to be given everything on a silver platter. Spoon feed.
Ashamed to say I'm guilty of this. I currently have a machine with 22 long and 4ft 6 wide tracks with one side welded, seasonal work in a panic, now I have to pay the price, hey u gotta survive!!!
He Is DEFINITELY ONE OF A KIND!!!😊❤❤❤
Alan, it takes a real man to expose this kind of ridiculous "repair attempt" by the previous owners without publicly shaming and humiliating them. Your "can do" attitude and positivity are an inspiration. That said, I'd personally be tracking down the culprit and exposing them to the whole world.
The kind of guy that does that type of botch work you are better off just avoiding em completely . Not ever meeting them is a blessing in disguise . Alan on the other hand is an inspiration for all . What an incredibly hard working guy. My back hurts just watching him
thats a special grease fitting just from cat. cat still has them. be careful taking it out. lot of pressure on it
I am guessing the last owners simply bodged her up to do one last job for them, maybe thinking she would be off to the scrap yard after that - to meet the cutters torch. Well, she met a torch alright, only it was not the scrap yards torch, it was Alan, bringing new life to the old girl!
Old dogs really can be taught new stuff. You showed me how to remove some old frozen bolts in several of my antique farm tractors. You are The Wizard. Thanks Alan!
@steventaylor681 I have broken bolts and welded a nut on spun it out heat is a man's best friend when it comes to stuck bolts penetrative fluid is good too. Wurth Rostoff is gold in my book I have had quite a bit of success with their product. Hope that helps a bit too you will thank me later for that Wurth stuff.
Not-Built-Right - I've used all the methods you mentioned and had good luck over the years. What I learned from Alan was the pounding on the end of the broken bolt. I can see how that would help knock some to the rust loose.
seals are blown out i the track tensioner. you have to break the track, roll the idler forward, then pull the tensioner piston out.
I believe the reason they welded it was either the zerk fitting was leaking causing the cylinder not to hold pressure or there is a leak in the seal making it lose grease when it's being used causing the track to loosen up so they welded it to keep it from moving.
I too had the same idea or the cylinder its self leak
Or the recoil spring has disinegrated.
That was a crazy repair made by the previous operator/owner. Even the Wizard is stumped on why they took this approach to repair/tension the track.
They had to have thought "I got it tight, just weld it in place and I'll never have to grease it again" haha. A fools dream to stop spending money on grease.
Looking forward to part 2. I appreciate your ability to think things through & troubleshoot. I do my best to do the same whenever possible. The sad reality is that not enough people do that anymore
No wonder they call you Wizard Alan as you do so much and enjoy your videos and messages m8.
Petersen Vice Grips are fantastic and 50 year old tools and any mechanic knows a quality tool.
Alway love to see you videos. Thank You M8 as your a pleasure to watch.
Alan the 🧙♂️WIZARD🧙♂️,jack of all trades and master of all👌, 💙 from Ireland 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪 the knowledge you have is astonishing 😲 you can put ur hands to anything to create something amazing or make something work, your videos are amazing, I've learnt so much watching you, we need to see more of ur content, it's amazing to see ur channel grow so quickly and its well deserved 👏 I'm watching since your very first upload Thank you Alan 💯 💙👍
Thank you for showing us how this is done! I learn something new every time you drop a video!
Love your work ethic .. once again, learned a lot from you today. Thank you Mr. Wizard
I can’t imagine what the guy was thinking when he welded that solid, crazy repair that only a wizard cold fix. Great job Alan sheer determination is all I can say. Until next video.😀👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I couldn't figure out why anyone would weld up those track tensioners. Heck I couldn't even figure how those move with just a bit of grease pressed into them. But I watched you work like I have never had to do and marvel at your tenacity.
Those adjusters are just a hydraulic cylinder. You just pump in grease instead of hydraulic fluid.
For those that don't know how a hydraulic cylinder works, the cylinder is a tube with a piston inside. When you pump fluid into one end of the cylinder it pushes the piston.
Some are single acting cylinders where fluid extends the cylinder and the weight of the load retracts the cylinder.
Some are double acting cylinders. On these you pump fluid in one end of the cylinder to extend it, pump fluid in the other end to retract it.
The adjusters on the tracks are single acting cylinders. You pump grease in to extend the cylinder. To retract you pul out the plug where you pump in the grease to release the grease. You have to then push on to track to push the adjuster wheel back. Such as when replacing worn or broken parts like tracks, drive sprockets or idlers wheels.
Alan: I would remove those grease zerks(?) And tap them for a standard replacable one at the shop. Should be easy. Next I would get a sawzall with a fine blade to run over the top of those skid plates to remove any welds or slag you couldnt reach with the gri nder. Good luck, love the vids.
I am just an old lady that finds this stuff interesting. I don't understand any of the mechanical workings, but enjoy watching. Put a camera up on the top to show the surrounding landscape. It is pretty and would like to see all around. Must be great to be up there with that view!!
ive worked on many 955 977 and 983 old track loaders. those front idlers geometry is ridiculous. between wear bars going bad and springs/shims and finding the correct spacing to get it the idler running straight in the rail, it can be a real chore. props to you for undertaking the challenge!!!! quick tip if your track adjuster seals ever failing you dont have to pull the idler out. take the 6 bolts from the rod off to the piston then either porta power or bar the assembly forward and dont split the track in half. saves a ton of time. then put air pressure in the grease fitting to shove the piston out only 2 inches and you can reseal it right there! good luck!
If you could share a video that'd be fantastic! Thanks!
Great work Alan! You really are a lateral thinker and improviser, but most of all, man, you are determined! All the elements required for success. More power to you.
lots of applied engineering in this video (as in applied with a hammer) ;-) nice job, Alan !
You're a true artist - mechanic. Seeking the understanding, and constantly improving your interest, knowledge and understanding of things. While never giving up, at least not easily, lol. And just engage and see what it leads to. Is true science and seeking knowledge. I like it. The Cat will go and better than it did. Great work!
Thats just plain bloody rough welding that up. They must have done it for a reason because most people don't do crap repairs like that unless there no other way to economically repair it or they don't have time to repair it. Good luck Alan.
❤ This is a very good start to figure out why someone thought they had do a fix this way.
Enjoyed watching this episode Alan.
Keep em coming love your content.
Who said Alan fixes everything with a hammer? Good job, Alan!
I like how you admit you don't really know but you dig in and find out what you need to do. Keep going, Alan. Your commentary is enjoyable
Alan is a shining example of what a real American is.
It wasn’t the welders fault. It was the owner that owned the cat that told the welder to do it.
You had me at Alan has fire in the hole , again.
The man is a genius
knowing when to apply the hammer helps. I use a pipe wrench and a cheater after warming things up. your right about it working better after you clean it, great job ,sir. Waiting to see more. the wind may stop, the sun goes down, gravity never sleeps. your on a mountain top.
You have lots of patience. I enjoy watching you work and your great attitude. Can't wait to see it cleaned up and working.👍
Congratulations on getting that far. I had a feeling this would be a difficult fix. For now there's no telling what the original issue was. Good luck wizard!
I thought in the beginning your had a lot knowledge but now after watching I realize you are just a hit or miss till something works !
Alan I'm new to your channel and I know why Heavy D, Disel Dave and Hauns call you the Wizzard pure determination and a never quit attitude
These people who bodge the jobs it takes five times longer to bodge it than to do it correctly in the first place . Great job Alan if any one can do it you can . Stay safe
we would weld a over size nut with a wire feed onto broken studs then attempt to back off. Sometimes you can get lucky.
Why don't you have a light tower out there? It would help you tremendously with winter coming on. You could probably buy one at auction (a fixer upper) and with your skills have it going in no time.
One of Edison's solar towers!
this man deserves the support humble and honest good natured go wizard
It's so cool seeing how you bring life to old machines that otherwise would never be used again.
Now you know why it was welded right thanks BigAl California
You and I are very similar in the way we approach things. Glad you are getting it back to right. You will be happy with the machine once you get it working reliably.
Wizard at work! Nice job Alan!
its only temporary unless it works (quote from RedGreenTV}
Enjoying the vids Thanks for keeping us updated
You the man Al!! Wizard Power!!
Mr Wizard, you are the best ! Keep up the amazing videos !
What were they thinking sorry man but you are the only man on the job which makes me happy sorry brother I like to watch you work
Way to go Allen nice job. Really like your videos. Can't wait for the next one.
Don’t set fire to your hair Alan. Fantastic work ethic. 👍
Alan, the man, the myth, the legend.
You're a wizard of a human Alan! Nothing seems to ever come close to stopping you! Always love when the wizard posts and will always give you a view for sure 100% through!
as always your driven till the end of the task great job allan be safe god bless
Alen you're the coolest Wizard I know of. Just came to give you a thumbs up and say hello for the algorithm. 👍
Those blocks are springs to keep the front idler from wearing the bushings on the side to side motion of the track . They welded them because there is an issue with the grease tensioner ram seals are out or something.
Great video, Alan. Love to see your solutions to the various issues you encounter!
On the bad grease zerks, pull the plug the zerk is in. Grind the zerk off flush with the plug. Drill out the hole the grease flows through and tap for the new zerk.
hy from Holland, love your Channel
Heavy D needs to get you a battery powered greaser
You have a old soul. Your getting really good with your videos. Keep up the good work
Take the grease caps off and drill the old grease nipple out then tap a thread for the new grease nipple. That way you will be able to replace them in future
You are The Wiz! Loving all your videos & the quality gets better & better!
Nice job. Your ability to articulate and narrate is improving episode by episode. Way to go! I look forward to the next one. Cheers.
The greasezerk is standard on track applications!
Wizard, this is not a FAIL.
Love that strap on the googles Alan!
lol we just commented the same thing less than a minute apart and we are both Brad H's ! ;)
You obviously have a lot of experience with this stuff. Nice work! Wish I had a welder and torch.
That's a one-piece 16:33 zert just unthread it (zerk and zerk nut) and drill out the old and thread on a new zerk
Alan im sure other would agree but id love to see a walk around video showin your collection of miltary vehicles and other equipment, you could show what runs and what does not and what they need.just something to think about,stay safe and god bless.
When you have some of the bolt protruding like that, you can thread a nut on the end and weld it to remove it that way, usually works for me.
Glad u got it mostly working hope u get it fully working amd all back together so u can use it again its gadda be a big help around the fortress
I saw a small air belt sander at Harbor Freight; only about a half inch tall, with a 5" or so reach. Be perfect for that small partly enclosed area that needs to be smooth.
The hell of it is, all the proper repair parts are readily available from Cat; there was literally zero reason for the previous owner to weld the adjusters together.
Hello from the UK love your channel keep it up
I got a D7E and the previous owner had cut pipe and had it clamped around the cylinder shaft because the seals was bad and wouldn’t hold grease, it worked to keep the tracks tight but I got them rebuilt and fixed right !
Of course we would love to see a second channel ❤
Good job Alan, now does someone have a pressure washer they can send him?
❤keep up the great work!
That's just crazy to weld them down. the grease jack on the joy miner's that we use at the mine take shims to keep them out and tight the grease jack just isn't strong enough to hold the pressure
Made some HUGE progress today the dozer!! Great video!
we want to see the next part of it, thats to bad for the sun that would be nice to see the product finish and fixed
We can wait on you, work safe mr wizard
Good work Wiz😊
Good morning Al. From Mt Pleasant Michigan area. Doing awesome job indeed. Keep up the great work.
Great job on that machine looking forward to the next video
Grease fitting holds pressure. Can not simply remove it. First you release the pressure by loosening the "tall bolt" (bleeder bolt) next to it. Loosen, not remove. Special grease fitting, not a hardware store item. CAT 190-8609.
I have been in maintenance all my life and I’m 75 and I see you really need to do more research especially now with the internet!
So I think the grease into the cylinder moves the track and that assembly you cut free is a system of springs holding down a piece of steel slide with slanted one way teeth holding it from going back loose under load it may be at the end of adjustment
Seat looks great but who in their right mind would weld the track adjusters ??? 👍 great video
Hey Allen love all your projects, very kool!!!! are you aware of C&CEquipment channel???? those guys tear down the stuff you are working on all the time I'm sure they would have the parts you need. Bad thing is they are in Indiana, but thats why everyone can ship stuff anywhere. Keep on going man, I'd love to be out there with you but I'm pushing 70 now, you go man!!! Gary
Take the grease zert cap out and use a lathe to drill the zert out and tap for new zert. just thought that would help.
keep going Alan looking forward to part 2
Your a good man Allen. Keep up the work my friend
Eh, I do like your videos. It's pretty you can build anything. And you can know pictures about everything.
Have a Good Night.
Keep going strong, bud.
Keep up the great work bro 😎🤙 much love from Pennsylvania 🥳🇺🇲
looks like they went happy with the welder, welded the grease thing inplace and then ground it smooth, you need an atv with a camera mount on its bull bars so you can film yourself using its headlamps as light
Nice work Allen!!! Get R Done!
Hey wizzard here's an Idea - those zerk caps look machined with the zerk. Just chuck it up in a lathe and machine it off and drill it out to fit new zerk - looks lilke that was at least a 1/8 pipe thread on that new one.
When you were struggling with the zirc I couldn't help but think you needed an extra Hans.
track adjuster out to the end they jacked front idler ahead and welded it need new chains or try to li nk out but bushings paper thin or worn through
Oh boy that's crazy as f. Grease tensioner welded, never heard it
Excellent work Alan Nice job
Nice tips on broken bolt removal and what you are doing and why.
Wizard,
Would a female air fitting or hydraulic fitting fit in the place of the zerc?
A make end should be easy to adapt to the grease gun. In fact using air pressure to assist wouldn't hurt.
You're truly the wizard of all things.