Tracks removed & track tensioners serviced on JCB micro digger

This video shows the tracks on a JCB micro digger being removed to check out the track running gear and track tensioning rams, the pistons & seals in these rams were removed and cleaned, the old grease was replaced with new grease.

[@markb1487]

Very nice work.. Seen half a dozen videos now from you John. Very good stuff.

[@johnbower]

Thanks Mark B. I like to keep on top of things that need servicing.

[@suespencer2142]

CLEVER BLOKE +++++ VERY HELPFULL VIDEOS THANKS JOHN

[@johnbower]

Thanks for the comment.

[@mealycock]

Great video, thank you. I got a cx23 and the one idler is not holding tension so this gives me bit of confidence to have a crack and see what’s up

[@johnbower]

You can do it! good look

[@hippeg]

First class very helpful

[@johnbower]

hippeg, Nice to know you found it helpful, thanks for the comment.

[@emilytaylor7921]

Great video John, very informative thanks. I've got squeaking from either an idler wheel or roller on one side, any suggestions how I would identify which it is?

[@johnbower]

Emily Taylor, To check the rollers lift the machine so the track is hanging away from them, then turn each roller by hand. If you need to check the idle wheel the track will need removing.

[@crohnoid7559]

Great video. Replacing track piston when the track is off - no problem but to remove a track what size spanners do you need to release the track tensioner piston?

[@johnbower]

Hi Crohnoid, Thanks for the comment. Note: the grease nipple does not appear to separate from the plug but it will turn round to face any direction. You need a 24mm spanner to undo the plug, and to stop the piston turning you need a 32mm spanner on the two flats on the piston end. Note: before you put the plug back in, make sure there is no air pocket inside the cylinder, also check the dowty washer fitted at the back of each plug is in good order.

[@crohnoid7559]

Thanks

[@legowolf4552]

Hi John,I have a jcb 8015 with 25 mm pins on the bucket but I have mistakenly bought a 18” bucket with 30 mm pin holes do you know if I can get some bushes to shove in there to reduce the 30 mm down to 25mm. Thanks Kevin.

[@johnbower]

Lego Wolf, Bushes are generally made of bearing material like bronze and are not expensive, the size you are looking for (30mm o.d. x 25mm i. d.) is a standard size off the shelf and available in different lengths, or you can have bushes made out of any material to any size you want. Bushes are perfectly round in their diameter and perfectly parallel along their length, whether off the shelf or purpose made, So the big problem you will come up against ( if it's a used bucket ) the holes will no longer be perfectly round or parallel through their length due to wear. The only way you will get bushes to press tight into the holes and not come loose is to have the holes line bored, then use purpose made bushes to fit, but that would be expensive.

[@orkidknog4147]

can you not put oil in the rollers - refill them

[@johnbower]

orkid knog, there is no filling plug, it appears the oil is put in during assembly of the rollers, this is a very poor design because the contact surface for the seal gradually rusts and wears the seal away. there are ways to repair and modify these rollers and this is something I may get round to doing.

[@orkidknog4147]

@@johnbower ok thanks for the info i didnt think they could be refilled so couldnt see alot of point taking them off, but good job

[@johnbower]

@@orkidknog4147 One of the reasons I removed all the rollers was because some of the setscrews had seized also some of the cup washers had been fitted the wrong way round, I refitted the rollers using all new 8.8 M12 setscrews with copper grease on the threads to make them easier to remove next time.

[@austinhammett9304]

my komatsu pc35 and kubota kx71 both have an allen plug where you can pull out of the top side on the roller and slowly fill with oil.

[@austinhammett9304]

but usually its best to just buy new ones if they are leaking as I have not been able to source seals for them. sort of disposable items.

[@grantfell9245]

Did you notice the ant?

[@johnbower]

Yes I did see the ant, and judging by the cobwebs there are one or two spiders living in there to. thanks for watching.