Lucky to not have had my machine destroy itself, no master links on front chains.

[cwilliams]

I think I am right about this.....I was replacing all the slider blocks on the conquest which was a lot more work than I thought (but thats another story). I got the double chains connecting the 2nd row of wheels and 3rd row. I believe this is a double 50 chain. I couldn't find the master link then I noticed the outer plate was sitting on the inside of the frame and I was thinking impossible. There was no retaining clip to be found. I have no idea how long it has been like this since I just bought the machine.

To my surprise the opposite chain was also missing the retaining clip but the plate was there. Fortunately my local hardware store actually sells the clips for these chains and I bought two.

The rest of the chains all had the retainers. No idea why these either broke off or were never put on but I was VERY shocked and thinking if they came off it probably would not have been a good thing.

[Twizted1]

Hate to think what could have happened if the link feel out while the chain was under tension. Good catch.

[chris davison]

I have seen the damage this scenario can do on production machines as the master link slides out until it interferes with something then depending on speed all hell breaks loose. I have had to cut chain out of a machine with a torch then replace the bent shafts and busted bearings. Hope I won't see this problem as I'm running 80 chain with cotter pins instead of keeper clips on my 8 wheel drive.

[cwilliams]

Thanks for the comments. I still don't quite understand what could have happened and how they both could fall out. Maybe the previous owner forgot to put them back on but I still don't quite understand the cause.

[guyfox]

I think I would go back and buy a couple extra clips as spares. Never know when you may need one out in the bush.

[chris davison]

When using the keeper clips its very important to install them in the right direction. The round head or closed end needs to point in the direction of travel if not they can be stripped off by touching anything else while moving. In your situation they could have been forgotten or put on wrong or stripped off when in reverse.

[cwilliams]

The thing that amazes me is I have been riding the machine for about 10 hrs since I bought it, all sorts of tooling around. The master links slid out so easily too so its not like they were super bound up. Hopefully this is a sign that this machine is special

[Andyman]

When using the keeper clips its very important to install them in the right direction. The round head or closed end needs to point in the direction of travel if not they can be stripped off by touching anything else while moving. In your situation they could have been forgotten or put on wrong or stripped off when in reverse.

X2

[Rock Doctor]

Good thing it was on Double Chain, if it had been Single Chain, like on the back 2 chains of the newer Conquests, it would have pulled the Master Link apart very easily.

I agree with CD's post....... Clip Direction is important, especially when riding in a place that deposits a bunch of crap into the Argo Tub.

RD

[msafi65]

I find the clips gone on many that have the rub blocks worn badly. Almost always missing when worn through to the metal.

[Sol]

Silly question but don't the chains run in both directions. I really don't know but it seems to me that theres no forward or reverse on the chains. This is in reference to being sure the retainer clip goes forward.

[chris davison]

This is not a silly question especially if your asking it broke down in the rough. Your chains go in one direction 90 percent of the time and reverse maby 10 percent so to put it in perspective would you rather be 90 percent safe or 10 percent? I know at work you can get into trouble if you install a clip backwards and or get laughed at by your peers. I deal with #25 to #140 chain almost every day double wide #40 to 4 wide #100 I have used it. The spirol freezer I work on one link weighs 65 lbs.

[cwilliams]

I have a feeling that's it. I think when you go in reverse if the blocks were very worn (which mine were) at some point it catches and knocks them off.

[ARGOJIM]

I find the clips gone on many that have the rub blocks worn badly. Almost always missing when worn through to the metal.

ditto

[Rusty-Gunn]

I suppose if you searched your tub you might find the missing clips. A magnet tool helps find and pick up dropped nus, bolts, clips, whatever.
If your tub is clean the the clips were never installed.