Case 450 Idler bearing.

[Bobg12]

A friend purchased a early 80's Case 450 track loader and the left side idler bearing mount is cracked. Is it possible to release the grease from the tension cylinder and lift the track up high enough to remove the idler or will he have to split the track? He was told to look for the master pin to split the track, but he can't find the pin with the indent in it.

 

[NCWayne]

Been working on equipment all of my life and I've ever seen a machine where the idler could come out without breaking the track. As far as the master pin, as you know, one of them should have a dimple in the end to designate it as the master pin. Thing is it could be turned to the inside, full of crud and simply not visible without some serious wire brushing, etc, etc. In other words it doesn't always just jump out at you, especially when your actually looking for it. Too, look for a link that is solid on the side instead of being webbed like the others. I can't say for certain that chains with alligator links were made for that machine, but if they were it could have had some undercarriage work done and been converted at some point in it's life. If so it'll make breaking the track alot easier because all you have to do is remove the pad bolts on that link. Good luck.

 

[george md]

Wayne,

I think he means the top roller and not the

front idler .

george

 

[AJ.]

Here in my neck of the woods there were two type of interference fit master pins,one with a dimple in the middle and one with a raised centre,the one with the raised centre is a SOB to find you would have to wire brush each pin to find it,I think its the top roller he is referring to and yes slacken off the adjuster and raise the track and block it securely,if it is the front idler that will not lift up as it slides in a slot,the track would be best split but if you can get it off without splitting it go ahead,in case somebody has upgraded the tracks to the wet type look for the joining link,thats a link that splits rather than having to take a pin out,it commonly called an alligator link,it is the only solid link in the chain,the pads bolts hold it together,to split the chain the pad bolts are removed.
AJ

 

[Bobg12]

Thanks for the information.

 

[steve n carol]

Give it a try. not a problem to release the track pressure. I know I can r&r the sprocket w/o splitting the track...sl

 

[Bobg12]

Yes - it is the top idler. I was able to release the adjuster and jack up the track enough to remove it. Thanks for all the help.