Flexco 550 pins

[SHOTGUN]

What do you guys use for pins in the 550 hinges, was not really impressed with the plastic coated cable. I could only get the 30" flexco kit and the cable is for the whole length, I cut pieces for the hinges but it does not look like they will stay in and I do not want the bare cable to migrate into a tire, or come out and lose a track.

[msafi65]

I'm using 5/16" cold roll round stock to make mine. Welded a washer on one end and drill
Other for cotter pin. Think I will move up to 3/8 " next time tracks come off. Argo rubber track pins are 3/8".

[Buzz]

grade 8 bolt 3.5" long for 2 segments of 550. Small washer under the bolt head and another under the nyloc nut for the threaded end. Bolt head goes nearest the tire sidewall. You could use a longer bolt, but I don't like having any additional bolt thread length sticking toward the machine tub/skid-plate area on the inner belt when the track goes around, especially on a 12" wide tire. The cotter pin idea is a good one because it can never work loose. Anymore I really prefer an overlap for reliability and no clearance issues.

[SHOTGUN]

Thanks, was not sure how the hinges would hold up with pivoting on metal to metal contact.

[msafi65]

Two seasons on mine now, no noticeable wear on pins or splice plates. I added them to 15"
wide max tracks to make install easier.