How To Fix A Thrown Track

Owning a track machine, you will eventually throw a track. Fortunately, it can be fixed any time of day, and can be fixed by just one person.
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How Farms Work by Ryan Kuster is a KZbin channel based in rural Potosi, Wisconsin. Our mission is to teach those who didn't grow up on a farm what the farming life is like. These videos show the Kuster family working together raising cattle and crops. We believe everyone who wants to know more about farming should be able to share the farming experience with us and we look to educate the world on many essential agriculture topics.
How Farms Work takes place on ~1,100 acres with around 75-200 cattle at any given time. Four John Deere tractors are currently used on the farm, which are a 4020, 4640, 7600, and 8235R.

[@mfreund15448]

I have a 6’ steel bar that I used for ball joints. That is what you needed for the track.

[@autocat9371]

if it was really a monday the four wheeler wouldn't have started when you went back for it! LOL

[@mackXDM]

When setting track tension, I set it so my fingers just slide between the roller and track. Just so happens that my fingers are roughly 1/2" thick, depending on how swollen they are.

[@brianquick2519]

As a former JD Skid Loader mechanic, i have changed many tracks. The easiest way to remove and install tracks is to put a steel pipe between the metal lugs on the bottom of the track (tube diameter has to be taller than the lug of course). Then once you have the zerk removed and the track off the ground you can drive the track forward and the steel pipe will force the tensioner in to loosen the track, and the pipe gives you a sliding surface to get the track on and or off the idler wheel. I typically used three short chunks of pto shaft and evenly spaced them around the idler wheel. Then a good pry bar will easily slide the track on and off the idler.

[@rusnsc7622]

Another good one Ryan, glad to hear ya mention Hannah have not seen her in a bit. As mechanic she’ll appreciate that impact! Be well.

[@tokencivilian8507]

A 1,001 things to fix on a farm. Glad you got it back together. That brushing is looking good. From a hiker here, hiking at night is a whole new experience vs during the day - cool, moist air, different sounds, different critters about, the moon and Milky Way, yeah, it's pretty cool.

[@tonymckeage1028]

Good Morning from New Zealand, thanks for your great thrown track video, Thank you for sharing have a great week

[@brittblanton8342]

Hey Ryan let’s blame Travis for the flat tire on the Gator 😂😂

[@FoolOfATuque]

Sometimes the best tool for measuring things is the eyecrometer. The further back you get the better it looks. 😂

[@lukestrawwalker]

The mark-1 eyeball... TLAR method-- "that looks about right". Good enuf... OL J R :)

[@jeffc6268]

It’s a whole lot safer there than in any city.

[@tiredoldmechanic1791]

The easy way to back the tension off is to extend the boom a little, put something between the attachment and the front of the track and retract the boom to push the tensioner back. You can use a strap on the track and the attachment and extend the boom to pull the track back into place.

[@BloodCover]

I agree a log or big piece of blocking and or a ratchet strap too

[@nowhereman8903]

Been following you for 2 years now. You make me miss my old life.

[@clinthochrein888]

Glad to see the JCB back on track! 😄 we use to have a fox in the machine shed an a badger in the stave silo. 😁

[@matthew52407]

As always thanks again for another one. Always learning something.

[@doclull1989]

Hey Ryan!! Pretty smart buying Hannah an impact and getting a free grease gun for yourself! I wouldn't worry about the bobcats or bears. Its those Sasquatches you have to watch out for!

[@petruzzovichi]

Fascinating, who would've guessed! Thanks Ryan. You're the man.

[@texasproud3332]

Ryan needs a tool bag for graduation Lol

[@nowhereman8903]

I got to be honest I love hearing the 1206 Turbo. We had a 43-20 could not hear the turbo. I love the sound of a turbo

[@SimonKL11]

That's a typical monday... But still great to see that you got the track back on😉👍

[@fredivory4304]

Make sure you have some "repellent" with you when you walk around like that. Even during the day.

[@donmathias1705]

Hi. A good way of pulling the front idler back to give you slack after you have released the bung is to wrap a ratchet down strap around the track and winch it back.

[@nowhereman8903]

I had two favorite tractors one being a 40-20 dealer being an International Harvester 1206

[@rodneyjones8823]

You'll know if you have a bear when you have a half acre circle knocked down in the middle of your corn field.

[@charleslynch7274]

You always learn something new and I definitely did and im sure Hannah loved her graduation gift

[@dirkmasur1899]

diferent people have diferent ways to put a track back on, I learned it from a guy on youtube with a bobcat, lift both sides off of the ground just a little higher than the guide nob from the tracks, loosen track, on the sprocket first, than lower idler on the back, after that all the bottom idler's, and push it as close as you can on the front idler, take 4 to 5 pieces of 2 inch pipe about a foot long is lots, and put one by one between the guide nobs behind the front idler on the bottom, slowly drive the track reverse and put the pieces of pipe in until you are all the way around, if you are by yourself you might have to use the park brake when you have to get out so the oncoming tension doesn't run the track backwards, also if you put new tracks on use the pipe to push the tenshioner idler all the way in, worked for me

[@leol1682]

Thanks for the video on the thrown the track on .

[@nowhereman8903]

I always love seeing the 4020. I grew up on 68 model.

[@farming4g]

Kinda fun walking through pastures in the dark... however, if you find a note stuck against a tree you know the Slenderman is near. Or if you hear the Emergency broadcast siren you're screwed LOL!

[@waterskiingfool]

Our guy at the state that runs a machine like that, got pretty quick at putting the tracks back on

[@ginggur17]

Congratulations Hannah on your graduation 👍👍👍🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@czamman]

Thanks for the info on Mondays, garage door spring, ac thermostat, found roof leak, and thunderstorms 🤣

[@briancrossno]

Awesome video Ryan. Keep them coming love everyone of them.

[@krimke881]

Isn't it funny, how those midnight horror movies from back when you where a little too young to watch'em, still haunts you as an adult? :P

[@maxsdad538]

Nothing says "romantic bastard" quite like a 1/2" Ingersol Rand impact from Northern Tool. But those red can cozies from Snap-on always made my heart flutter.

[@ianhaggart1438]

Snug fitting block under the back then loader down one suspended skidsteer left behind safely one you block the front or lock the boom 👍 Stay safe 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 and keep the cracking videos flowing 👍

[@nathanputt6356]

When big foot is watching the woods and sees a random person to him self to a camera.

[@westbamafarmer]

Thanks for the Demonstration on how to put the track back on break downs always make a great video lol

[@MrBusdriver63]

Good video Ryan ,and Congratulations to Hanna.

[@daleley7645]

Glad to hear it wasn't too difficult to fix. Surprised how simple it was.

[@Blazer02LS]

Easier than getting a jack, find a block of wood and put it under the tail, then use the boom to lift both ends off the ground. Then get the drive on first, then track backwards to get the lower idler on. Then track forward with the bar wedged to lift the track up over the front idler. Then track forward /backwards about 2 feet at a time to get the lowers all into place. With a bit of practice it takes about 20-30 minutes to get the track on and re-tensioned.

[@fazerainbow5674]

Great video Ryan first big problem with the jcb is a thrown track and you did really well fixing it that be scary walking around the field in the dark like that thumbs up and shared

[@flatbedtruckergaming2974]

I was waiting for you to start going “Lions and tigers and bears oh my” on your way back to get wheeler

[@patkelly7999]

Good stuff Ryan:):)

[@kdh1309]

congratulations Hannah !

[@michaelc9128]

As a truck driver and you as a farmer before use of your equipment. pre trip pre trip pre trip inspection

[@davedunn2124]

I just use a good hardwood 6x6 and block up the back, then raise the front up. You'll bring the whole track off the ground and wont need a jack. Then throw some 2x4's ahead of your drive sprocket and slowly drive it forward or backward a foot or so. That pushes all the grease out. Let the machine do the work. Or as much as you can anyway

[@stevemueller3705]

It might be comforting to know that if a critter was after you during that walk in the dark, you wouldn’t know it until it was too late.

[@FoodwaysDistribution]

Meeting a bear would have got your a lot more views :)

[@someperson7]

I know absolutely nothing about tracked vehicles, so this is probably a really basic question. But I wondered if those tracks are loose and slopping around would that cause the gear teeth to wear faster? Love the channel! 👍🏻

[@Blazer02LS]

That isn't a basic question, the fact is that too tight will cause rapid wear and too loose will cause the track to wear and be damaged.

[@hturbo1007]

I know what you mean about bears. The bear on the Iowa side of you was spotted on the south side of the John Deere plant in Dubuque late last week.

[@tedb.5707]

If you use one or two ratchet straps wrapped around the track over all three major rollers and force the front roller back. The ratchets allow you to apply a fair amount of pressure.

[@larrybe2900]

Binder?

[@tedb.5707]

Like you use for a pickup or semi to secure the cargo. I suppose some chain and a binder would work too. A strap would be gentler on the tracks. www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/smartstraps-14-ft-yellow-premium-ratchetx-tie-down-1667-lb-pack-of-2?cm_vc=-10005

[@mattgrega5308]

Tighter tracks are more likely to cut. If you catch yourself running over the stumps, you can retrace your steps and put the track back on before it comes all the way off.

[@jchambers2586]

What is the cost difference between tracks and tires for that machine.

[@farmshoffman8475]

Great awesome video Ryan ,

[@busterbailey5559]

Great job Ryan and tell Hannah congregations on graduation auto spell sucks

[@dennisnissen4760]

You know it’s really a Monday is when you get to the four wheeler and it won’t start 😅

[@EtzEchad]

Hannah is the ultimate girl-friend. You can buy her power tools and she won't hate you for it. :) Why don't these small tracked vehicles use steel tracks? The large ones I see along the highway all use steel. It seems to me that you would get a lot more life out of them that way.

[@larrybe2900]

From what I have understood, steel is the best but it causes damage to surfaces it operates on. Maybe farm work would be OK. Anyone doing professional work for hire don't want to damage driveways or sidewalks etc.

[@Blazer02LS]

Steel has the same issues as rubber, except steel does far more damage to the ground while turning or even moving. Plus steel actually has less traction than rubber in any direction other than fore and aft, they love to slide

[@tracyeaves1084]

Let Hannah know that we said congratulations on finishing college hope everything goes smoothly for her

[@brianrutherford3229]

Looks like fun lol.i have never ran a tracked skid steer.the farmers i ran them they alwas had tires on them.

[@chevyon37s]

They’re worlds better than a tire machine. Ride better, float better, less ground disturbance, etc.

[@ERICMB24MF37U24F39]

It would be a perfect monday if the 4-wheeler would'nt start (your ride home)

[@lukestrawwalker]

Be sure you get good vidja of the habbacca, bigfoot, swamp booger, booger-bear, skunk-ape, chupacabra, or whatever you call the local boogey-man back in the woods LOL:) Later! OL J R :)

[@nathanvanfossen1391]

There's been wolves and bears coming in to northern Iowa now

[@larrybg9293]

Good stuff 🤜🤛

[@Athenstrainman]

We have a kubota SV 75 with tracks. Oh my gosh the situations and places tracks have jumped.

[@brianrutherford3229]

How close to Appleton Wisconsin are you guys?which direction is the town from you and how long to drive there?hour or more?

[@chevyon37s]

Most tracks getting thrown is a combination of loose tracks and the operator puts them in a hard turn situation to toll them off.

[@ronniewalker2881]

good video man make sure you give her some candy and Flowers to go with that impact

[@chrisvandevoort146]

Would the 4 wheeler fit on the mower and to save a trip?

[@colinkulasik1128]

Putting on the tracks shouldn't be a thing that you become a pro at..... you should be a pro at keeping them on!

[@Blackwellll3066]

I'd blame it on the mower cuz its nice for small brush I'd say it's has its limits when it comes to stumps.

[@ohiofarmlife4020]

If the frogs were making noise you were good. It’s when the woods goes quite that you need to worry. 😂

[@nowhereman8903]

I grew up on a dairy Farm surrounded by John Deere's mostly

[@jeffslaven]

Well it's a marvelous night for a moon dance...

[@rossnolan2883]

Awesome 😎

[@parlainthtownie85]

We have to find his pasture and set up a bunch of little Wicker People in the trees. Blair Witch is back!

[@rogerfuhr8067]

Always walk in the woods with someone you can outrun. That way you don’t have to worry about outrunning the bear.

[@robertstibz9506]

DO NOT ever put stones or bricks under a jack when lifting anything, unless your happy to risk injury to yourself or someone else, a good strong block of wood, or strong steel plate, or both. As they say on some other video's "safety does not take a day off", live and learn Ryan

[@tractorsold1]

Congratulations to Hanna on graduation.

[@railfangeorgemurphy1124]

What’s going on Ryan

[@ihus9950]

👍

[@danishokie]

Watch out for Big Foot....

[@fordtough91]

I was told if the animals go quite then you should be nervous

[@MaryWehmeier]

Ryan... Here Kitty Kitty... Nope!

[@bobjohnson9603]

Get a longer, more substantial bar…..more leverage. I really don’t know how you were able to accomplish much with that little pry bar. But you were in an easy spot…..throw it on a steep hillside with rock all around, would be a good vid….edit for language lol

[@HowFarmsWork]

The first time we had to do it, the track was submerged… 😂

[@tomburton1037]

I don't have a problem walking into the dark, it's when I'm walking back and the dark is behind me that creeps me.

[@dwightl5863]

If it were me walking out there at night the mosquitoes would be feasting on me!

[@tedb.5707]

You might want to consider a 44mag or 30-30 lever action 16" carbine when walking the Valley at night. Not that you will actually need it, but you'll feel safer which is also important. Last November I stepped out of my house here in rural South Jersey to get the afternoon mail from the box out at the road, and an adult coyote trotted past me not 5-yds away and disappeared into the standing corn....at 2 in the afternoon! And while I was mowing yesterday I found two places in my back yard where 'someone' had been bedding-down in the shrubbery at-night. We do have deer and fox in the fields and the occasional bear sighting, but after the coyote incident I do notice-more weird sounds and calls when I'm putting the trash out at the road late at night.

[@larrybe2900]

@@tedb.5707 Are you always this heavy handed with wildlife? Wouldn't a smack on the skin be enough?

[@tedb.5707]

Hehheh. I've seen the size of mosquitoes in Minnesota. Firearms definitely.

[@dwightl5863]

@@tedb.5707 I had an Uncle in Minnesota tell me he got picked up by two mosquitos. One said to the other "Should we take him back to the swamp?" And the other said: "If we do that the big ones will take him away from us!" Story is true as my Uncle told it.

[@svernwarunos546]

You talk good English for a Mexican

[@frankeem3820]

The black bears are more afraid of you than you are of them.

[@michaelweatherhead9470]

You would be a tasty snack.

[@thr8061]

I don't worry too much about bears and such. I worry more about wild dogs. I usually take my trusty "farm use" 10mm pew pew where ever I go.

[@davdhynes3518]

👍👀

[@lukedog7028]

If a bear would of eaten you the views would of been awesome.

[@brandonvaske9311]

Do you know that my show cow fell in a hole. She is gone

[@smokeymountainhillbilly5131]

You should always have some kind of firearm on you when working your farm

[@liamalferness2346]

Larson farms new video is sad

[@ohiofarmer254]

we have black bears. I am more afraid of my beagle than the bears. if i get attacked it will be by her

[@williamblack5837]

Black bears are fun and they are more scared of you than you are them

[@lorisabor6251]

Bring a dog with you

[@tncountryboy06]

and a gun lol

[@Blackwellll3066]

I'd blame it on the mower cuz its nice for small brush I'd say it's has its limits when it comes to stumps.