Advice on Installing Plastic track without removing the pins

[spikedbat]

Hey guys,

Yes I tried to search but couldn't come up with anything exactly like this.

I'm trying to put my tracks back on the argo I bought (it came with them installed) and I ended up just pulling all the tires to get it off. Having problems obviously fitting it all back together now. I did not pull the pin bc I was having a hard time getting them out and did not want to break them.

Now to put them back on any suggestions? I deflated the tires I actually got 3 of the four tires on but just am off by about 1/2" on the last rear wheels bolts.

Any suggestions? Has anybody done this before?

[thorn]

I would definitely work on getting one of the pins out, as it will make life much easier in the long run. Remove one of the bushing bolts and spray the god out of the bushing bolt hole and around the pin where it goes into the bushing with penetrating oil. Let it set for a while and then work on driving the pin out with a punch and hammer. There really isn't anything you can break. plastic tracks are very easy to take on/off when you remove a pin.

[Rock Doctor]

If you really want to try to do it without splitting the track, I would suggest this:
Pull your Valves out of the Valve Stems on the tires you have mounted.
Suck the air out of them with a Shop Vac. Just hold the shop vac over the valve stems, tight to the rim, it will draw most of the air out.
Quickly put the valve stem caps back on.
This should give you enough slack to get that last 1/2" for the last tire.
Once you have the tire mounted, pull the valve caps back off, put the valves back in, and air up your tires.

It's a good idea to "Map" your tires before doing all this, to help reduce Chain Windup while running tracks.

Personally, I would cut one pin on each track, install new pin, and MARK that pin as the one that can be removed to split the tracks in the future.

Hope that helps you out

RD

EDIT*
Or as Thorn said, work at getting one of the existing pins out if possible.

[plott hound]

use your dremmel tool to cut the pins off either side of the locking collar then get yourself 2 new pins and collars.

[Old Tucker]

do not worry about recking the pin. They are very easy to make. just get your self some rod the same diameter. Bend one end so you have about a inch bent at 90de cut the rod just a little longer then the old pins thread that end put a nilock nut on it. There you go now you have a pin thats easy to find and pull out.

[Roger arseneau]

Thank you for your help, I will try that