International Harvester Company TD-24 Operator's Manual page 86

MAINTENANCE
TRACK ASSEMBLIES
1£ the track chain is too loose, it may
have a tendency to climb the sprocket. when
backing the tractor.
When the track adjustment is either too
tight or too loose, it causes undue wear on the
track links, pins, bushings and bearings, and
also on the front idler bearings. .
Checking Slack in Track Chain
To check the slack in the track chain, the
chain must be pulled tight everywhere except
along the top, between the 2 track idlers.
This can be accomplished by placing a wooden
block approximately I foot in height under the
foremost track shoe lug. With the engine
running, put the tractor in low gear and en-
gage the engine clutch just enough so the
sprocket drive tightens the chain along the
ground and around the sprocket. After lock-
ingthe brake and stopping the engine, stand
on top of the track chain midway between the
2 track idlers. Your weight will pull the
chain tight around the front idler. All the
slack should now be in the top center part of
the track chain.
Place a straightedge along the top of
the track lugs between the 2 idlers. With a
ruler, measure the clearance between the
bottom of the straightedge and the top of the
track shoe lug nearest to the midway point
between the 2 track idlers. This clearance
should be 3/4 to I inch. If clearance is more
or less than this, track tension should be ad-
justed.
111ust. 82
Track tension adjuster nut and lock bolt.
[\
)
.
"
111ust. 83 - Adjusting track chain tension.
Adjusting Track Chain Tension
The track spring assembly (which con-
sists of a series of saucer-like bellville
springs in an enclosed cylinder) permits the
front idler to recoil under heavy shock, but
holds it in position against a full-load track
pull with the tractor in reverse.
1£ adjustment is n ec ess ar y , loosen lock
bolt "A" (Illust.
82).
Turn the adjuster
nut "B" counterclockwise as viewed from
the rear or sprocket end; this pushes the
front idler forward, tightening the track
chain. Turn the adjuster nut clockwise to
loosen the track chain. After correct adjust-
ment has been obtained, tighten lock bolt
"A."
.'tt '.
Tightening Track Shoe Bolts
On a new unit, check track shoe bolts
after every 8 hours of operation until it be-
comes evident that the bolts have taken a
"set." This can be determined when the
bolts retain a tightness of 440 to 490 ft.-lb.
The bolts used for attaching the track shoes
to the tr ac ks ar e heat-tr eated alloy bolts and
they will withstand considerable tightening
84
Illust. 8~ - Tightening track shoe bolts.