Faulty Chain Adjuster, chain popping

[fmints]

I spent a numerous amount of time trying to figure out why my Hustler's chains was popping while turning. I recently, about two months ago, replaced the rightside chain tensioner coming off of the T-20, but the alignment was a few degrees off when i welded it to the chassis. Needless to say, after the chain popped a few, it was just a short matter of time when the chain would ride completely off of the idler sprocket. I was forced to saw and grind out the faultly chain adjuster. I'm thing of installing the chain adjusters that is found on the Max IV's center axle. This style is very simple, yet stout and greatly needed for the Hustler chassis. I've been thinking of pulling the chassis out all together and reinforce every 6-7 inches with 3/16 flat steel or 1 1/8 pipe. This will surely kill the flex I feel, however small it may be.

Now that I think of it, I feel like I've been working backwards. My engine and transmission is fully rebuilt with less than 6 hours on it, not to mention all of the add ons and here I am with chassis issues that is forcing me to break the machine back down to zero. At least now, I know that I have, and what improvements is needed to satisfy my expectations of how I vision my Hustler.

The bad thing is that I promised myself that the next time that I pull the chassis out that I would outfit the machine with at least 4 splined axles and sprockets. The good thing is that, I 'm getting deployed soon, so Uncle Sam will pay for the Apache Gear hardware . I guess I will see how everything goes. Its cool to have projects to do in the garage, but not when it leaves you with no ride for a while.

[Don]

Sorry to hear that, Fred- that's a nice machine and leaving it home must be depressing. Micmac came up with a system that works well on Hustlers and I used it on my BFD. It seems to work pretty well and not let the idler back off. If you like the system, you may be able to weld some up without pulling the frame!

Have fun at Busco- wish we could make this one!

[fmints]

Sorry to hear that, Fred- that's a nice machine and leaving it home must be depressing. Micmac came up with a system that works well on Hustlers and I used it on my BFD. It seems to work pretty well and not let the idler back off. If you like the system, you may be able to weld some up without pulling the frame!

Have fun at Busco- wish we could make this one!

Yeah, I got my tail tucked between my legs, with my ears pointing down,,,,,, I one sick lucking puppy right about now! It really hurts that I cant sport my baby, and really test out the new tires, red spring, and new 23hp engine. All that hard work and money only to be stopped but a measely chain adjuster. Anyhow, I know you guys feel my pain.

Thanks for the pic, its a great idea. One question thou,,,,, the threaded rod is not welded to anything at all is it? Looks like it's just pushing down the tensioner and keeps it from back up. Does the threaded rod rest inside of anything?,,,,, I cant tell by the pic!

Thanks again Don!!

[racerone3]

Weld the channel back in and bring itnto busco. I will bring you one of the rollers that im running. It should let you play for the weekend... you Can
Tear it all down next week!

[fmints]

Weld the channel back in and bring itnto busco. I will bring you one of the rollers that im running. It should let you play for the weekend... you Can
Tear it all down next week!

The Channel is garbage,, it wont hold the square channel nut. I've already cut out the channel to make way for this type of adjuster Is this what you are running? if not, I still will like to see what your talking about. Everything about my Hustler has been a backyard, backwoods fix, just to keep me rolling,, since the adjuster has to be welded to frame, I want a for sure stout adjuster that will won't give me any issues for a long time, ya know!!

As for tearing it down next week, I would love to, but my time in the country is limited and the family comes first, ( this is my last time to play with the 6x6 for a few months, ya know.) Other than that, I would most definetely bring it.

Thanks Brian!!

[racerone3]

Go to my albums. Hustler 950 build album. About the 3 rd pic... you commented on it a few months ago. Works great in all positions on my bigfoot. Bring the machine and welder. I will bring you some new chanel and the roller/ plate assembly

[Don]

the threaded rod is not welded to anything at all is it? Looks like it's just pushing down the tensioner and keeps it from back up. Does the threaded rod rest inside of anything?

You're right, Fred. the rod screws into the nut welded on top of the channel cap and doesn't attach to anything else. There's a 3/8'' nut welded to the top of the Kendorf nut that I drilled the threads out of just to act as a guide for the threaded rod. The threads on the bottom of the rod are ground off to let it turn freely in the threadless nut. This has worked great so far: you don't have to tighten the idler nut so tight that it distorts the channel just to keep it from sliding up.

[highrollinmopars]

Fred look at my build thread. So far everything is working great. The two front adjusters where simple to make and could be done with the frame in. Are you sure your tranny isnt twisting in the mount?

[fmints]

You're right, Fred. the rod screws into the nut welded on top of the channel cap and doesn't attach to anything else. There's a 3/8'' nut welded to the top of the Kendorf nut that I drilled the threads out of just to act as a guide for the threaded rod. The threads on the bottom of the rod are ground off to let it turn freely in the threadless nut. This has worked great so far: you don't have to tighten the idler nut so tight that it distorts the channel just to keep it from sliding up.

Sweet!!!! This is exactly what i need. I will surely incorporated it into my Hustler. Thanks Don!!!

[hydromike]

So, a silly question; Is there a chance we would be able to keep your chain tight enough (with a new chain, even with a [gasp!] half-link or something) to get you through the weekend? That is, ef the adjuster for a couple days and let's see if we can get by without hurting the machine. The biggest issue that comes to mind is how close the chains come to the bottom of the tub with the huge primary sprockets.

I'd just hate to have you leave the 'ol girl home.

[fmints]

Fred look at my build thread. So far everything is working great. The two front adjusters where simple to make and could be done with the frame in. Are you sure your tranny isnt twisting in the mount?

Yup, I'm pretty sure that the tranny is locked in nice and tight. No wiggle play there at all Thomas! its most definetly the chain adjuster coming off the T-20,, definitely!!!

Thanks for the suggestion!!

[kghills]

Fred, make sure you post what you do to correct the problem on your Hustler as I am interested in the solutions people are coming up with and how they work out in real world situations and use.

Thanks, Keith.

[highrollinmopars]

Well Fred you know I have parts if you need something in a pinch you can stop by my house on your way out to Busco.

[racerone3]

alright Fred. I built you a roller, and have a new bolt, unistrut nut, and 3 feet of new unistrut packed up for you. bring the hustler, a welder and a sawzall to cut the unistrut to length. we will have you up and running by 10 AM Friday

[fmints]

Fred, make sure you post what you do to correct the problem on your Hustler as I am interested in the solutions people are coming up with and how they work out in real world situations and use.

Thanks, Keith.

Ok, no problem at all Keith. I'll post when I return from Busco. It's feels good to have a helping hand, and in my case, a few helping hands.

Well Fred you know I have parts if you need something in a pinch you can stop by my house on your way out to Busco.

Thanks Thomas, from the looks of it, Brian got me covered. I'll let you know if I need anything. You are coming to busco to debut your beast, right?

P.s. I didnt forget either, I'll swing by your house on the way back from Busco!!

alright Fred. I built you a roller, and have a new bolt, unistrut nut, and 3 feet of new unistrut packed up for you. bring the hustler, a welder and a sawzall to cut the unistrut to length. we will have you up and running by 10 AM Friday

Thanks Brian, I do appreciate it. I'll bring everything that you need to get me rolling again. Since I'm bringing the Hustler I won't be leaving Ga until the afternoon, so that puts me in NC late Thursday night and at Busco early Friday morning. Thanks again dude.

p.s. what brand of beer do you like!