Fitting Tracks on a Abbot SPG

[@Icebuntrucker]

Rick would be proud of his Flash hart impression. Top work as always boys , Must be nice to be given free cider 🤣

[@TheLiquidLunchMan]

Woof!

[@andybtec]

Bark

[@teapot749]

“I simply ran out of juice” What a legend Rik was!!!!!

[@grogsrevenge]

Jack by name, Jack by nature!

[@tinymonster9762]

Excellent episode! The helicopter drop was great fun. Really hard work fitting those tracks. Makes you wonder how hard it was to do the same to something monstrous like a King Tiger. It goes to show how owning a tracked vehicle is one thing…having the heavy equipment, lifting gear, transporter, winches, special tools and skills are quite another.

[@stco2426]

Really enjoyed this. Great entrance from Action Man aka Commodore Jack aka Flashheart. Nice to see how the tracks are put together and tensioned. Latter is just like a dozer. Shame to miss the painting but Diane does now look like a piece of Purest Green. More on of the snot-coloured jewellery please!

[@tommyfree4736]

In the army we used the sprocket. We would loop the strap around a tooth and and let the power of the engine wind it in. Then brute force the last bit

[@MrHewes]

We don’t have the engine in

[@Island_Times]

@@MrHewes Bluetooth connection 😏

[@Pwills]

@@MrHewes any old excuse. Lol😂🤣😂

[@tommyfree4736]

@@MrHewes on that occasion lol. Get your mate inside and crank it around 😂

[@chaz8758]

We had a track pulling rope, two hooks at one end fitted into the track pin holes - tie to the final drive (or use it as a capstan) - most of the time we refitted track was after a slight mishap usually in the muddiest or stupidest places (sliding sideways down a hill, ripping both tracks off - TA wheel and top rollers one side and outer road wheels the other kinda coming off as the track slid under the wagon on down hill side and away from it on uphill) - took me ages to recover it vehicle first then each track, He had to half track for the last two weeks of the ex

[@charleshodgson38]

Quick tip, when connecting track links, each section you add, when you butt the link to the previous, CURL the new link back and you'll see the hex shape pin hole align and the pin will just slide through. Excellent stuff boys I wish you'd been our LAD guys

[@markstott6689]

I do wish that we had seen the painting stuff. Seeing Diane turn from a wreck to almost attractive has been a fun journey.

[@theafro]

So, Jack's basically the Ace Rimmer of the operation. "Smoke me a kipper I'll be back for beakfast!"

[@Jimmythefish577]

I think you mean Lord Flashheart.

[@alxgu198]

Stoke me a clipper 🤪

[@Pwills]

@@Jimmythefish577 yep that was definitely a quote from lord flashheart in Blackadder

[@theafro]

@@Jimmythefish577 definitely Rimmer, it's all about the pathetic alter-ego. it turns out jack's quite into needlecraft and has never passed an astronavigation exam either

[@kippamip]

Bit of lord flash heart. Love it! WOOF! Track bashing is much easier with the engine in and using the sprockets to feed the track whilst holding it up with a track bar. She needs some lock wire on those sprockets too! Gotta love the lockwire. Great multi fuel engine in those 43 series though. Get the kero out cheap to run.

[@BrumKid]

The banter is still up there with the humour and another great job done by the cowboys 🤠👍👍👍

[@paoloviti6156]

Spectacular entrance in pure James Bond style with helicopter, very cool 😎! Looking forward to see the coming video! 👍👍

[@brianwillson9567]

Serious engineering with wit and humour. What a combination to get us viewing your big boys’ toys.

[@mitchellbennis9236]

Jack’s introduction was Brilliant, well done. Cheers.

[@martynbuzzing3327]

Nice to see you guys working together with very little sniping. 😂 I have always wondered how tracks are put on. Thanks.

[@NUTTER8291]

Jack you entrance was CLASSIC !!!! Cracked me up !!😂

[@elwoodzo]

Man that’s turning out nice - great job.... (ps that helo insert was the stuff of legend)

[@babaganoush6106]

wonder who gets the rik mayall reference

[@makale3889]

ajj the joys of fixing a broken track on Sennelager training area in February !!

[@topgrafter2007]

Great video Matt, we did alot that walk mostly the higher paths about a month ago, I never imagined the mill to be so big, hard to imagine that with what little remains. Looking forward to your videos of 2024!

[@vonbrockone]

Great work guys. Now consider working on a mine damaged track in wartime, when possibly being under fire too ! Those tankers were heroes...The Green looks fantastic 👍😉

[@evanleduc8117]

First! Love your content Also seeing the mechanics of the tracks was awesome

[@oldmanwith]

Jack’s grand entrance was worthy of one of the great film directors. I’m thinking maybe Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. I mean, who even knew Jack had a grand entrance……

[@jackreed3445]

First view of your channel. Love it! You were having too much fun. Good job getting those tracks in place. Going to look back at other episodes and wait for some more new ones. jack, In the Valley Of The Sun, Arizona, U.S.A.

[@richardford4570]

Well done lads time for the pub ! And and a refreshing pint. Cheers from Rick in Sydney Australia 🇦🇺 👍 😊

[@ScienceChap]

We used to struggle to get hold of track for our Stormers. We were heavily restricted on track mileage and had to write reports in triplicate to get new tracks. They'd do 1500 miles between changes.

[@paoloviti6156]

Actually it is quite good to be able to do 1.500 miles because if I remember correctly with the M113 was even more frequent to change the tracks

[@ScienceChap]

@@paoloviti6156 that was what we had to do before changes, unless something actually broke... we rarely exercised with them.

[@jerryezzell2492]

You guys have way too much fun while you work! As hard as you guys are working, there’s no wonder you’re buff and skinny.

[@maryloutetreault1650]

Great job you guys ! Loved your entry and congrats on nailing the drop right inside the garage 😊

[@alexangus9966]

I remember changing the tracks on a big digger on the farm once. we laid the new tracks out in front so it would roll from the old to the new, I gave it a push from behind with the telle handler and it rolled all the way along like a bloody train and fell of the end! Took two days to sort out!!!!

[@billyhaddock5540]

Great Job Guy's on getting both track's on ur Abbot SPG. when u were pulling the Abbot foreward's on the track, tie the end onto the last wheel and pull it onto the other rollers.

[@sararedfearn4691]

Team work along with good clear communication. Jobs a good un. Not forgetting some tea breaks along the way. Thank you.

[@richardphelan8414]

A good Bit of work ,nothing east about doing track work ,Brilliant work Lads

[@DaveDave65]

LOL... Love it... 91 links? Surely you mean 90 each side? 😊 Much easier threading the pins through the links with a proper lead screwed to the leading end of the pin too. The luxuries of a full toolkit complete to CES. Then thread the track over the idler as soon as the end meets the idler, using the rope w 2 hooks on the leading edge of track - much safer -lighter & less painful - Then draw the track through until it meets the sprocket, then using the sprocket itself to drive itself until the joint is just above the ground. Put the final pin in after using the track tensioners that you already have & once secure, pump grease into the rear arm tensioner to tighten the track (a fist's height from track to armour) & Bob's your auntie's hubby. Ahhhhhh, spreader bars... Lots of fun for all the family 🙂😉😊🤩😆😁😄😃😀 Great vid again guys. Ted, grab a bath mate.

[@theessexhunter1305]

Very good ,when you get to mine and your Dads age think about the bits that hurt from kicking stuff.!! Keep up the good work.

[@Thimeri0n]

Ted: the worlds only dog who's colour could only be described as "Fuel Oil"

[@christinecrockford1654]

Love the black adder lord flashard speach lol

[@alanknoll5540]

That was awesome. You guys got the tracks installed. Keep up the good work.

[@mikmat8797]

you guys make this a lot easier than the marine corps does

[@johnnunn8688]

I know, right, I’ve seen the film.

[@SoSoOscar]

lookin good, nice job Ted

[@RoryTrackrod]

Flying Jack in, using the drone, was a brilliant idea. Action Man style.

[@TheSussexpillbox]

Track bashing made to look easy. Lucky you were given that track.

[@Gibbo919]

Excellent video Joe! Would love to see more raw uncut stuff! Ted will murder Jack in his sleep for that.

[@atligunnarsson2406]

Hi, I like your sense of humor, greetings from Iceland.

[@screwthecabal6453]

Doing what you're doing looks like fun!

[@brianmckay1256]

the x is probably the reme marking bad links, after i think its 11 bad links they condemn the whole track. Its the bushes that go, generally from not maintaining the 10 degree mating angle when splitting tracks or adding new links, there's other reasons too. gr8 vid, looks fab

[@GlideYNRG]

330 am here in Oz and I've near spat out my breakfast at Lord Flashheart making a cameo.... Woof Woof..

[@nickhorne5135]

Our SO grease gun does exactly the same..... quality kit 🤣But it never has grease in it anyway........ Top video as always.

[@trevor20988]

You deserve another 11K subscribers just for the Flashheart bit. For all the pissing about, you guys just get stuff done in a very impressive way.

[@Triiivium]

really excited to see how this turns out

[@56Gumball]

You boys have the best job ever! 👍🏼

[@steveaustin9386]

Did that many a time on, Warriors after throwing tracks, in huge stinking big holes in Germany! Great times!

[@jamesocker5235]

That abbot looks nice after a bit o paint. Awesome entrance jack

[@echohunter4199]

Dear lord, I hated busting track on our M-113’s and Bradleys, especially in Iraq and in the deep mud of Germany. People think it’s just a simple matter of wanging in the track pin and off you go but these vehicles use what’s known as “live track” since it has bushings in the track link that have six sides internally and as you drive in the long track pin/shaft you have to line up the bushing to the pin or it won’t fit. This is why you see these men using the pry bar AKA; Tankers bar) and adjust the angle of the track shoe so it’ll line up. Nearly all NATO armored vehicles use live track while a majority of Soviet tanks don’t. One more fun fact about track, those little rubber shoes on each track link wear down after a thousand miles or less and need replacing so there’s a little 11/16” nut that holds each shoe onto the track and you can guess how fun it is to do that fun little job! That’s when you learn what a ‘dog bone’ is all about.

[@wulfie1199]

Loving the tactical Thatchers can while working 😂

[@highspen3751]

“Do you lose TRACK of time doing this? …”. Straight over their heads 😂

[@karldickinson2799]

Love the cider in hand at all times

[@jeffdayman8183]

It's not every armour channel that's got a paratroop drop from a helicopter, with 440 lb of chains hanging of the skids beside the jumper, as well as a re-track of an Abbott (Diane or otherwise). But why not use the heli to twang the Abbott onto the track? Good thing Ted was keeping an eye on things......

[@chigeryelam4061]

Lord Flashheart steals the show.

[@craigsnook3605]

Nice Flash impression. WOOF!!!

[@ekspatriat]

Love the Rick Mayall Flasheart bit. On my FACE

[@samharvey6194]

Honestly surprised Abbot's never saw actually combat use, seems ideal having a small SPG supporting infantry

[@davehopkin9502]

Abbot's did see active service but not with the British Army, The Indian Army also used them and they fired in anger in the Indo Pakistan war

[@johnnunn8688]

Gawd, I couldn’t imagine the horror, of seeing Dianne in action 🤮🤮🤮🤮.

[@juliahossack5277]

Love to see a vid of breaking the track, step by step. Done it, a long time ago.

[@andrewdunn9307]

Track Bashing that brings back memories I didnt want..... :)

[@ATomRileyA]

Great video, the Abbot is looking great too.

[@MrSeeuu]

That.......was a fun video to watch! 😃👍🏻👍🏻

[@rabmillar7471]

Best acting ive seen i years - Oscar goes to jack best track layer ? Bafta goes to Tedd best SUPERVIOR ? LOL

[@tadpoles10]

Well done guys, hard work made to look easy with a plan & most entertaining .. 👍 .. 😂 Thanks for sharing. atvb t ..

[@berryreading4809]

I feel like that forklift imagery, or maybe even a short video would fit perfectly with the Thatcher's Cider website marketing and photography portfolio... 🤣🤣🤣

[@scottbruner9266]

Jack’s entrance was EPIC!!😂

[@jayvernon2575]

the intro caught me off guard and i spat my drink all over my desk! XD

[@lesthiele4921]

Thatvwas a great job guys, it's nice to see these 'old' vehicles being given some tender loving care, what is the truck next to the Abbot? Best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia 👍👍👍👍

[@PeckhamHall]

Smoke me a kipper. I'll be back for breakfast. 😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@davewise001]

Well don't know what to say, considering Jack's Abbot looked totally dog-rough when you got it, you've done a really good job. I shall no longer refer to you as "them cowboy tank bodger's". Great video of the track replacement can't wait to see it roll under its own steam, just one thing though surely Jack is about 6 inches taller than Tom Cruise and way prettier! 🤭🤭

[@Island_Times]

Copper Hide hammers last a lifetime ! Mines had 6 new hides , 2 new coppers , 3 new handles and 1 new head and still going strong (Trigs Broom sketch insert here) 🤣 . Were you given yours ? (For Free ? 😉) LoL

[@thelonemoomin]

Use a few drops of power steering fluid to free of seized bolts and pins. The KZbin channel Project Farm did a load of testing on penetrating........(steady).... Oils and the power steering fluid came out well ahead of the competition.

[@kite7214]

Great vid again. Loved Jacques arriving by helicopter. Hahaha 🙂

[@mitchdaytonam3]

“I’ll fly back to England and give your wife something to hang her towels on!” Peak Flash👌

[@sueronhaworth5713]

ALWAYS wondered now i know (thanks lads) SO SIMPLE if you know what you are doing.

[@richardhunt1384]

1:53 Call in "Action Man Jack!!!" Brilliantly fun!!!! 😂😂😂😂

[@blackcountryme]

There was a toy called "Action jack"

[@KaitlynnUK]

Without Foreman Ted you chaps would be lost :) Fun video!

[@davidgibbings6085]

Cracking vid guys as always 💯👌

[@harry-kf7kw]

the flash-heart reference had me in tears

[@Slim885]

It’s nice getting on the piss in your own work space 🍻

[@jfro5867]

Love the intro, Huey drop. Very funny 👍

[@FrontSideBus]

Looks nice with a bit of paint on it.

[@jwilson1659]

loving the blackadder ref's!😝

[@murraymaclean4125]

yes .. much easier with engine in 😀 final tensioning tools look great though never seen those for tracks in the digger world

[@Joeschmo776]

I’ve actually driven one of these down in Florida, they took the original engine out due to issues and put a Cummins engine in it and it is quite the tank

[@hughfraser1547]

Hope Thatchers are sponsoring these due to the amount of free adverts they get :) :)

[@icewizzard666]

Absolutely loving your vids, playing catch up from the beginning too, came though initially from Sid at Partridge, you guys and gals certainly know your shit. Catching up from the beginning. What's all your backgrounds? There has to be a a mechanics thing for most of you as well as a love for the military vehicles! Love the way Joe is drinking a can of Thatchers whilst driving the forklift (I know it's private ground that's what makes it so cool and fun) Love the banter between Jack and Joe too - what's the relationship? Friends for years or just get on work colleagues??

[@stevesmith9875]

One thing I quickly learned was, never start track bashing until your power pack is working. You are then able to use the final drive to do the donkey work.

[@techmarine83]

LOL I love that character from Blackadder

[@stuartdenty3163]

Quality content yet again thanks - Ted steals the show though 😁

[@mikewinston8709]

We all know where Rolf Harris would have inserted one of those track pins….😂

[@MrHewes]

🤣💀💀💀

[@elvislee7142]

Love the Lord flashheart reference 😂😂

[@motomaker8550]

Love your channel but pleae get a lav mic, makes it much easier and better to hear you! Keep up the good work! Cheers from the netherlands

[@andrewmacdonald1897]

With regard to the comment about the army's method of track replacement. I am sure the army has brute force (and ignorance) in abundance. However I am equally sure they use another vehicle to supply the not inconsidable motive force to replace a track. Much like you are doing.😊

[@catlee8064]

We used a track rope....wound round the front sprocket....then use the engine to roll it up using the correct tiller.

[@tommyfree4736]

This is how I know it too

[@garypoulton7311]

Only problem in this case was there's no engine...

[@catlee8064]

@@garypoulton7311 Yup, but in my 18 yrs playing around on tracked vehs, ive NEVER known a track change while the pack is out.

[@MrHewes]

Exactly

[@jamescox3502]

Track pros at work! Vunderbar!

[@avpinstarter]

Loved the reference to lord flashheart lol

[@chrisropherhegyi9415]

That is downright hilarious that you know of Bob Ross

[@pirated8557]

Great stuff 👍🏼🏴‍☠️✌🏼

[@gusgone4527]

I'm sure with a redesigned turret the Abbot could still give worthy service. Especially now when the RA is so short of tracked artillery pieces. The old FV430 hull is not as bad as some others I can mention.

[@keitht3055]

Brilliant lads! I definitely want a job with you guys 😅 . Unfortunately, I'm in Rochdale and it would be a sod of a commute 😢.