Trouble installing chain

[vipercwf]

Had the front left bearing go bad, just got done replacing but when I went to reinstall the front chain its short by one link (one link short after master) I cant quite figure out how this would be or why. Anyone have suggestion or thought?

[Noel Woods]

Sometimes they go on like a charm, and then sometimes it takes hours to fight one on.

[ARGOJIM]

Had the front left bearing go bad, just got done replacing but when I went to reinstall the front chain its short by one link (one link short after master) I cant quite figure out how this would be or why. Anyone have suggestion or thought?

If you haven't got it yet, hold both ends of the chain and turn the wheel as far as you can without dropping the chain in both directions. You should fell a noticeable move in the chain after the folded kink straightens.

[johnedwardketch]

if ya take the front tire and the centire tire and spin them towards each other it willdroppthe tension span but you need to keep them steady like that it willgain you a good half to a inch extra play

[vipercwf]

Well I was finally able to get it. I realized I didnt have all the wheels off the ground completely and in doing so it gave the extra but of slack that was needed. I was able to get the chain off just how i had it previously so it wasnt crossing my mind. Had to still roll the tires towards each other to get the pin and plates fitted in right so that did help. Thanks for the advice.

[RedneckTour]

Any tips for doing this with tracks installed? You can’t really rotate the tires towards each other. I could remove the tracks, but am hoping for an easier way. I’m replacing both front chains.

[john swenson]

maybe with the machine up off the ground so there is slack in the tracks...and let the air out of the tires , you may have enough slack to be able to rotate the tires toward each other so the underside of the chain is tight and top of chain is loose enough to pull together and connect. a cable tie can draw the chain pretty tight to get the link in. maybe this will work, good luck...j.b.

[glen1971]

Any tips for doing this with tracks installed? You can’t really rotate the tires towards each other. I could remove the tracks, but am hoping for an easier way. I’m replacing both front chains.

I have worked on the chains with the tracks on, but coming from my experience, it isn't worth the grief! I bet it takes about 10 minutes to drop the tracks and put them back on.. You'll save that alone on the first 2 chains you work on.. The tracks will be fighting you all the way..
With the tracks off, is it worth pulling and cleaning the rest of your chains? Slider blocks on the tensioners? Just a thought..

[Noel Woods]

I take the tracks off every time I replace chains. I built a track tool to assist me to get the tracks back on. It comes in handy as I always felt that three hands made quicker work than two, but since making the track tool two hands can do the process pretty quickly.

[glen1971]

I take the tracks off every time I replace chains. I built a track tool to assist me to get the tracks back on. It comes in handy as I always felt that three hands made quicker work than two, but since making the track tool two hands can do the process pretty quickly.

What kinda tool did you make? I drive my machine on 2 ratchet straps, empty the air from all 8 tires and pull the track pin. Putting them on, I use the ratchet strap to tighten them up and take the slack out of them to make the pin fit fairly easily..

[mowbizz]

What kinda tool did you make? I drive my machine on 2 ratchet straps, empty the air from all 8 tires and pull the track pin. Putting them on, I use the ratchet strap to tighten them up and take the slack out of them to make the pin fit fairly easily..

Check out YouTube for a video called “HOW THE HELL SHOULD I INSTALL MY TRACKS”
This guy uses a couple of eye bolts to bring his ends together...looks pretty slick!

[allwheeldrive]

Stubborn chains that don't come together. Use a the biggest zip tie that fits between the links to pull together. Than use steel wire and twist together. That will pull the ends tight and keep them in place to slide pins back in.

[Delduck]

Harbor freight sells these long nosed pliers at the end they look like a 1/2 moon I used them to pull my links together so I could fit the master link on. This was while the machine was stuck in the swamp, what a nightmare.

[Rock Doctor]

Harbor freight sells these long nosed pliers at the end they look like a 1/2 moon I used them to pull my links together so I could fit the master link on. This was while the machine was stuck in the swamp, what a nightmare.

You can make yourself a set out of Needle Nose Vise Grips. I did and find that they work very well.

RD

[glen1971]

Check out YouTube for a video called “HOW THE HELL SHOULD I INSTALL MY TRACKS”
This guy uses a couple of eye bolts to bring his ends together...looks pretty slick!

That looks real slick! A regular eye bolt should work, if it's coming out once the tracks are on.