How To Replace The Sprockets On A Bulldozer

For more information or a written out step by step you can stop by www.thediyguy.n... . A video on how to replace the sprockets on your bulldozer. We are using this John Deere 305 B bulldozer.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

The sprockets showed up first as they came by Fedex. So until the new complete tracks got here ( they took a while longer as they came freight) the bulldozer was used only for a few hours on the new sprockets to grade some sand out for a rodeo arena and shortly after the ol gal did get some new complete tracks and pads put on her.

[@stevek5416]

TheDIYGuyDOTnet - Just how much does a pair of new sprockets run you nowadays?

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

I don't remember exactly what they paid I want to say 450 ish but I could be wrong.

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

@@TheDIYGuyDOTnet cant change older cat sprockets without spliting the track or a press

[@kendallkamden9082]

You prolly dont care but does someone know of a method to get back into an Instagram account? I somehow lost my account password. I love any tips you can offer me.

[@aidanbryce1745]

@Kendall Kamden Instablaster =)

[@cliffrayner3013]

We need more guys like this on youtube that give tutorial on fixing things especially heavy equipment not many people know stuff like this

[@parkerbirch1475]

Who cares.

[@oska592]

I care💯

[@randymiller3949]

I could watch these videos all day long. This takes me back to my childhood back in the late 70s & early 80s when my Grandpa had a land clearing business in Dothan Alabama. He had a John Deere 350, a John Deere 550, & then he had the bigboy a, John Deere D/7. When I was around 9 or 10 I was with my Grandpa & all my uncles in the summertime on some job with them...either clearing some land, Bush hogging under brush, digging a pond, or cutting fire rows I thought I was as big as my Grandpa & uncles...ESPECIALLY WHEN MY GRANDPA PUT A WRENCH IN MY HAND & TOLD ME TO LOOSEN OR TIGHTEN SOMETHING ON ONE OF THOSE DOZIERS!!! Looking back now...I'm sure my Grandpa probably told me to loosen or tighten something JUST TO GET ME OUT OF THE WAY...BUT I LOVED BEING AROUND THEM & ALL THOSE DOZIERS!!! Thanks for the videos...you took me down Memory Lane for a bit to a VERY VERY PROUD & HAPPY PLACE!!! Much love from Mobile Alabama.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

You're welcome, Glad you enjoyed them and that we could help bring back some found memories for you. Thanks for taking the time to share them with us. I think we all have something similar to that and I'm sure your right it was just to keep us busy and out of the way but still spending time with them.

[@Engineer9736]

I should be preparing the final presentation for my study. Instead i’m watching on KZbin how to replace the rear sprocket on a bulldozer for the slightest chance i’ll ever have to do this in my life lol. But it’s interesting stuff. Good presented also ;-)

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

lol ok. Not sure how you ended up watching our video but thanks for watching and taking the time to leave us a comment and hopefully you get your final presentation done before its due.

[@tellmesomething2go]

yea, right. we might be a little " touched"?

[@Series2tdi]

Very helpful video. Useful tip using old belts to lift the track. Off to try mine now! I’m guessing it will take more than 11 minutes!

[@andrewarmstrong7310]

That is one way to do it, but I am a heavy equipment mechanic, my way is to put the track pin at the 2pm on the sprocket, remove it lay the track up and back and change the sprocket, then fold the track up and use a come-along to pull it snug and press the pin in and done. I would not expect those tracks to last much longer. Nobody likes to hear it but everything has a service life.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

That would have been the better way if someone else didn't beat the pin over trying to get it out and then torch the grouser pad off. Luckily they gave up before they torched the track chain apart. Like I said to some other people the sprockets showed up first as they came by Fedex. So until the new complete tracks got here ( they took a while longer as they came freight) the bulldozer was used only for a few hours on the new sprockets to grade some sand out for a rodeo arena and shortly after it did get new complete tracks and pads put on her.

[@MDC2020]

Welp more useless information I happily consumed lol Now I just need a dozer lol

[@brentbarnhart5827]

You left out removing the logs behind the sprocket, when do you put those back in?

[@kanga1234567]

Changed the ones on my Komatsu D575A by myself .. thx

[@GIGABACHI]

NOICE. Good old common sense techniques and know how. You got a thumbs up.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave us a comment.

[@desertmonsoon1]

I have a John Deere 450 crawler. How much does a sprocket typically cost for those machines ? roughly ?

[@bifish101]

I don't even have a dozer but I still watched this to the end thanks good job

[@gravedigger4861]

Looks like a crippled duck with the missing pads.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

The guy they bought it off tried to remove the bolts for the pad but they were rusted in the track chains so he torched them off and then separated the track and then must have seen the price for the new track chains and pads or that he was in over his head and put it back together.

[@georgeharvey3552]

Gravedigger l.p.

[@carolnowak6382]

Absolutely the best DIY video I've ever seen. Any subject, ever! Great job! One question, was that a D4 ? Thanks.

[@E-63836]

It’s not a D4, this dozer John dear not a Cat

[@obfuscated3090]

Worn track will wear out that new sprocket quicker, but do what you gotta do! Good video. Thanks for posting.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Yes it will, like I said in another comment they just need to finish the job they were on and they were also waiting on the new tracks to come by freight as the new sprockets came UPS or FEDEX and arrived sooner.

[@geneshepherdsr]

true

[@Jonathan-NC]

Well u need to put some new cleats on as well but no need to tell you wonderful ppl i know y'all can see that lol just saying. 2 thumbs way the fuck up in the air, let me see ya hands

[@bearbait2221]

@ 2:43 YOU LOOSE THE CHECK BALL IN THE GREESE REMOVING BOLT. LOL EVERY 1 DOSE THE SAME THING YOU CAN HEAR IT TINK WHEN GREESE DROPS.

[@scotttipps8155]

I am so glad and humbled to be surrounded by so many hesvy equipment mechanics. I just dont know how I would sleep at night without all of your comments lol.

[@a.jcolomo4796]

It can be tedious, but have you ever watched a video called SHAKE HANDS WITH DANGER . please watch it , the man of the house would appreciate it.,trust me.

[@a.jcolomo4796]

It's old and corny ,but it makes you think.

[@drewwolf2591]

Put the track link in a position to give you a second option if your first plan fails. Trust me on this.

[@johnshaft5613]

Great video....I love watching stuff like this. I would like to see how this is done on a D10 or D11 where everything weighs a million pounds.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Thanks. I watched one video on replacing the tracks on one. They drove off the old onto the new then had to use a forklift to lift them so they could get it back together. It was on a high track.

[@mr.thickey1820]

"Ach du lieber, mein schatz"! Excellent "educational" video! You may not be the one to ask, but WHAT KIND OF STEEL is used for these sprockets & to WHAT HARDNESS are they hardened??? They obviously take quite a "beating" over their lifetime!!! Their "engagement" with the track doesn't seem all that deep either! "Gesundheit"!

[@killingoldgrowthsince]

Need pads, rails, rollers and sprockets

[@ahorsenamedoaks1377]

How are the drive link bushings?

[@roosthrower]

How worn were the chains, must of been bad by the look of the sprocket,wow cordless grease gun

[@wayburn1]

Did not work for me. I could not break free the front wheel to bring it back. I even tried bumping the track against an oak tree to break it loose. 1978 Case 450B track loader.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Sorry to hear that. You may want to pump grease into it until the adjuster to extends itself apart then you can clean and hone the barrel and replace the cup seal if it needs it and put it back together. Sometimes depending on the grease someone has put into it the grease can hardened up pretty solid/ hard, So some people have used boiling water to soak it in to make the grease more malleable. Not sure if it will work by pouring it over it a few times or maybe a towel or something like that on it and then pouring the boiling water onto it to keep it warmer longer. That way you don't have to remove it from the track loader.

[@skeetersaurus6249]

Cute little dozer...glad that you don't have to do it this way on a D7 Cat...segmented sprocket means you only have to pull the dust shields on the hub and unbolt two bolts to take off a segment (while it's on the ground)...one person job (and some oxy-acetylene for those difficult bolts).

[@timber750]

Cool--I would not have imagined trying to do that without breaking the chain. Although I was able to "pop" back the chain that had slipped off a Case 1150B front idle by removing the grease from the tensioner, then driving in a downwhill turn to get the chain back on the idler, then re-tensioning. Neddless to say, I subsequently avoided the maneuver that cased the slip-off in the first place.

[@michaeldunagan8268]

Thank you for the instructional video. It must be hell to bust the track and then re-attach it because you went through so much effort with a blocl-and-tackle and all which to perform the R & R with the track still intact. No replacing the slroket bolts? Torque them? Criss-cross pattern...?

[@bigredc222]

FAKE, this can't be real, it went to easy, and your pants are still clean, my pants get dirty just getting close to a machine, I guess there's always a chance it went so easy because you know what you're doing, but I'm sticking with it's all CGI.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

I assure you they are the same pants though out the video. lol

[@bigredc222]

Just breaking balls, good video.

[@ahorsenamedoaks1377]

I've seen old cable operated bucket loaders, that had better sprockets.

[@Railfanable]

Looks like you need to replace your tracks as well

[@keithlea6804]

Now thats how to make a how to video. Great job

[@randymiller3949]

Preach On Keith...Preach On. One of the best DIY videos on KZbin in my opinion...GREAT STEP BY STEP!!! Much love from Mobile Alabama.

[@MiltonTucker]

Why not use a block of wood between the blade and the idler to compress the track adjuster? Hydraulics win out over a come-along every day of the week.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

I guess you could if you did it before you used the blade to lift the front of the dozer.

[@f0rdfalc0n46]

Slipping sprockets on the chain can see the bull gear lose some teeth. Don’t want that.

[@ronmcwhirter3641]

Just wondering. Would it de feasible or even possible to build up the sockets with weld.

[@alanwunnecka3006]

Just going to wear the new sprocket out right away

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Like I said in another comment. We put the new sprockets on just to keep the machine moving so they could finish the job they were on before the weather turned and the track chains were replaced when they came in maybe a week or so later. The sprockets could go fedex or ups so they got here pretty quick but the track chains had to go by freight.

[@jondavidmcnabb]

Wow great video! I have had to replace tank track and you made this look both easy and fast.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Thanks. Glad we could help. Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave us a comment.

[@anthonylascari9581]

Insert an appropriate sized log bolt upon the sprocket and select reverse

[@fordnut4914]

Lol you guys talking about doing all this cleaning befor pulling it apart it's just the sprocket they changed they didnt open the engine or transmission where everything has to be neat and tidy.

[@coyotetrapperr]

Can you change the track tensioner on this dozer without splitting the track

[@stevelux9854]

I didn't see any mention of it, but did you check the condition of the track pins for wear? It would seem that with them slipping over the sprocket, with the grit from dirt and rock that they might get worn also. Oh, and thanks for the upload. I own two old D2's and have a good bit of work to still do on both of them, so I watch videos like this to get prepared.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

We didn't check the track pins as the tracks were ordered at the same time the sprockets where. The sprockets showed up by ground shipping and the tracks came freight. So we put the sprockets on so they could finish up the job they were on and then we replaced the tracks when they came in.

[@carolnowak6382]

JD 305? Did you mean JD 350?

[@yaserfalah8011]

Change once on my dozer comatsu 65 ,

[@anthonysanchez-ex2kl]

That was an awesome video, showed me so much... thank you!!

[@johnerway7255]

Cool video, thanks for sharing.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave us a comment. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@kdw75]

Good information, but much harder on a standard size machine, but they also have segmented teeth.

[@sanarroyos5501]

Did you mean Standard are D85 komatsu E-Ss?? Right

[@zhr4121]

The track adjustment is set by the grease pressure?.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Yes, as it is with most machines. Adding grease pushes the adjuster outward to put tension on to the tracks.

[@RRaucina]

Yes, but with a spring incorporated - thats why you saw the chain able to jump across the worn sprocket in the beginning

[@Series2tdi]

Very useful video. Off to do mine now.

[@michaeltarasenkoop2389]

Why not have two drive sprockets for more traction on the track ?

[@kalemercer7053]

Great video, but why didn't you power wash that poor thing? would of saved a lot of trobbel and prevented any dirt from getting in to the threads.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

we could have. We just took the air and blew the bolt holes out.

[@davidmorse8432]

No sense in replacing sprockets when the track chain and pads are wore slap out. What a waste of money.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

I would agree if the plan wasn't to replace them at all. They needed the dozer to finish up a project they were working on before the cold weather moved in. So we just changed the sprockets so it would be useable and they could finish the job before the weather turned and while they waited for the set of new complete tracks to show up.

[@davidmorse8432]

TheDIYGuyDOTnet , Ok, I didn't know all that. Poor little dozer need some TLC.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

No worries, Yes it did. That's what you get most of the time when you buy a farm dozer or a dozer off an old farmer. Just gets used until something breaks and fixed most of the time just enough to keep it working or going.

[@toma43]

In this case it was worn clean out and sold to someone who didn't care and planned to replace the undercarriage. Worn chains wear sprockets, sprockets do not wear chains. Those chains will tear up those new sprockets in no time.

[@daleolson3506]

It's no problem,the replacements are made in China ,the won't last long.

[@texanleons]

That old sprocket was dead.

[@jamesmckay9966]

Excellent

[@davidbagley1783]

Aloha...

[@stumpbumpers]

Isn't it possible and cheaper to build up the old sprocket teeth with welding rod?

[@stumpbumpers]

I see Calvin Brown asked the same question down below and other commenters answered. Thanks

[@claudio.napoleaoferreira995]

muito.boa.de.trabalhar.

[@buddymac3993]

Do you usually do both tensioner on both sides at the same time

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

You don't have to do at the same time you want to keep the proper tension on each track.

[@calcolson2813]

You need to replace the tracks to. But you did what you could at the time. Great vid. Sid that a time or 2 on the old d4. N. D6

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

The track were replaced shortly after as the sprockets arrived first as they came by ups or fedex and the tracks came by freight.

[@kootybear]

should make a bolt with a tube attached for the greases drain, save a little bit of time on changes, not sure if sprocket replacements are needed much though

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Good thought/ idea. Might be something for a company who's always running there dozer.

[@dmacosta1]

thank you for posting

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

You're welcome.

[@melaniew77msn]

When the track chain is worn that bad I weld the sprocket to form teeth. If you gauge the track chain you can probably buildup a tooth that fits better than the tooth of a new sprocket. I am not saying I am right I just used to work for a construction company that thought new was a cuss word!

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

There have been a few comments that people have welded the sprockets to build them up and that it has worked well.

[@melaniew77msn]

@@TheDIYGuyDOTnet I have done it on many sprockets, I suggest using 7018 and a bit of preheat. I have done it when a new track chain was going on and I can't say I agree with that practice. I do agree with doing this for a worn track chain because you can size and contour the tooth to match your need. Better filler metal like 8018-C3, 309 stainless or high manganese build up can be used but I don't think the added cost is worth the benefit. Short circuit MIG is good if you are inside but I still recommend putting the first layer down with 7018 because 7018 will offer a good buffer that will tie into the base metal and the MIG will tie into the 7018. It is easier to control size and shape of MIG welds. To minimize or delete grinding is the ticket. This job as just welding is laborious and time consuming enough. Thanks for allowing people to express themselves with their own ideas ans solutions!

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

@@melaniew77msn Not sure if all that welding for a small machine would be worth it but I am guessing once you get to the bigger ones I'm sure the sprockets get more costly so it might be. I have no problem letting people talk about ways they have done it or seen it done and it has worked.

[@melaniew77msn]

@@TheDIYGuyDOTnet Thank you for your consideration and being polite. I also wanted to say you guys were slick at changing those sprockets. I like the videos best where people make stuff happen without a million dollars worth of tools. I am certain this video helped many people tackle the same project. At the end of the day doing all you can for yourself and saving money is the name of the game. It is nice when people like you who have the know how take the time to make a video for all to share.

[@transplant5449]

super video guys very informative, mani love the internet,

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave us a comment.

[@AllanSmith859]

Where did you get your sprockets from

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

I want to sat they got them at DozerStuff

[@HDB316]

Don't use the come along put a 4x4 block in between track and front wheel it will push the grease

[@dougnickerson7145]

Cats are worse than the sprockets

[@richardrtracy]

Should have just split the track. On that little dozer, i would have been done in an hour.

[@timber750]

Don't think it would have saved time on this small machine

[@tellmesomething2go]

piece of cake... like brand new.

[@mikeadler434]

Nice job!

[@MIckveli2]

THAT WAS FREAKIN' COOL.!!!! -THANKS

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave us a comment.

[@sedatseckin6912]

Hİ

[@charliepirie2025]

The ion p9 B

[@johannespfeiffer7575]

Badass nice sound at driving reverse! Like a muscle-car :D

[@need100k]

I cringed when they just put the new sprocket with debris on the back of it.

[@woolyhighlander7280]

And put the old bolts back in "DRY" Dumb

[@gj5250]

Nice job guys I get the jist of sprocket installation.Us big boys no you put Anti Seize on them bolts.

[@mattbrennan8088]

good video, made that look not too bad of a job to handle. Like how you would speed up slow parts, made this enjoyable and easy to learn at the same time

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

It wasn't that bad at all. Ya been trying to do that on our newer videos no point in wasting time for those parts. Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave us a comment.

[@dschroeder9430]

Wouldn't it have been a little easier to break the tracks at the rear and drive forward a couple of feet to get track out of the way

[@RRaucina]

No

[@rootloggins3951]

Very good video. Yall made it look easy

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

It went rather smoothly. The sprocket bolts weren't really rusted in place. So they came out rather easily.

[@adamtheede2575]

in the Field it matters to get the Job done then keep er running pay hours until it'd finished then repair as needed on the job vs perfect world repairs dont exist

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

I would agree keep it usable and use it as long as its not going to cause more damage/ repairs until it can get repaired. This one was ran maybe 4-5 hours grading/ leveling out sand for a 50' x 100' roping arena. So it wasn't worked hard with the new sprockets and the worn out track chains. There was no damage to the sprockets after being use for that time when they brought it back to put on the track chains and pads.

[@robertdemers7898]

TheDIY GuyDOTnet.

[@senendimaguila1963]

Ok

[@simushisimushi9260]

hello guys, what makes the track lose power on onw side?

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Sounds like it could be a steering clutch that is slipping- there could be a variety of reasons for this. There should be an inspection plate so you can see the steering clutch during operation and see whether there is rust or oil contamination or another reason the clutch is slipping.

[@simushisimushi9260]

will check that out. Thank you

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

@@simushisimushi9260 No problem, you're welcome. Good luck with getting it repaired.

[@Buzzbox3rd]

Excellent and well made video.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave us a comment.

[@ooa9123]

Nice work

[@ponkkaa]

Do they rebuild those sprockets?

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

There are a few comments below of people saying the have or had a company or person weld them to build them back up.

[@Pileits]

I enjoyed watching this.

[@MadMax-yq9ix]

Grease looks brand new, that's a good sign.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Ya it wasn't bad. But I'm sure someone added some to try and keep the track chain tight so it wouldn't slip on the sprocket.

[@hankclingingsmith8707]

Nice

[@friebrid]

best how to video yet

[@magdielbetancourt5164]

Good job,in the field and cold

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Thanks

[@mdbadalmiah6808]

Thank you sir

[@RicardoMartinez-yr4hi]

Good video guy's

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Thanks

[@lencho2436]

Good video bro subscribed right away.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Thanks, Much appreciated for the sub and thanks for watching and taking the time to leave us a comment.

[@randyneil6161]

Nice Can the old sprockets be repaired with welding ?

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Yes, there have been a few people saying that they have had them welded or welded them themselves. Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave us a comment.

[@RRaucina]

Repair is best by smelting. Melt them down and cast new ones.

[@timber750]

On larger dozers, it is often possible to simply unbolt segments of sprocket teeth from the central casting , (meaning no need to remove that at all) and bolt on new segments--cheaper and simpler. My Liebherr 731C (like a Cat d6 or a TD15 Dresser) has this setup

[@donald1056]

How much are those sprockets ea - if possible

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

I want to say they were right around $300.00 for the set before shipping and tax.

[@44R0Ndin]

That's... surprisingly inexpensive for a piece of heavy equipment.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

They weren't that bad but I'm Sure they didn't come from or have John Deere stamped on them.

[@pavanatanaya]

That impact driver is adorable

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

lol ok. Thanks

[@bloodswettears234]

Nice.

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave us a comment.

[@macbook802]

why wouldn't you try to tighten the track first

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

They did...

[@tellmesomething2go]

maybe all the way run out.

[@shannonphipps5648]

I would replace the track as well!!

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Like I said in another comment. We put the new sprockets on just to keep the machine moving so they could finish the job they were on before the weather turned and the track chains were replaced when they came in maybe a week or so later. The sprockets could go fedex or ups so they got here pretty quick but the track chains had to go by freight.

[@RRaucina]

@@TheDIYGuyDOTnet Where is the video for that?

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

@@RRaucina Its sitting in a folder waiting to be edited and posted.

[@unclephil440]

A great video

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave us a comment. Don't forget to give the video a thumbs up. Thanks

[@willembeton]

great video !! thanks

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave us a comment.

[@seekingtko3146]

good video

[@TheDIYGuyDOTnet]

Thanks.