DC3 Chain Adjustment

[Paul f]

For a winter project I am thinking of checking the chain tension in my DC3. As she has an eagle hitch accessing the chains is a fairly involved project, removing the hydraulics, live PTO, and reservoir.

Before I begin I would like to know if any more adjustment is possible. Currently the axle housings are about as far forward as their slots will allow. Does that mean the chains have never been adjusted or that there is no adjustment left?

Asked another way when you tighten the chain adjustment does it move the axle housing forward or to the rear????

 

[Ken in AZ]

The axles move back when you tighten the chains. Sounds like you have plenty of room to adjust them.

Ken in AZ

 

[Paul f]

Thank you... I was not looking forward to having to replace the chains

 

[Wilson]

check part book there should be an adjusting bolt after removing rear covers If not for the adjust bolt one could use jack and scoot housing back, however then torque might pull axel forward

 

[Anonymous-0]

How do you decide they need adjusting? Im in exactly the same place with a DC3 but my issue is a scraping noise on the left side. It seems to correspond to the wheel turning so my guess is a wheel bearing- either chain or bearing, I been putting the job off too. What do you plan to do about gaskets for the parts you have to pull off to access the chains?

 

[Camboted]

The chains should be tightened to 1" of free vertical movement at the 1/2 way poit between the sprockets. Don't overtighten them. The axel housing bolts need to be loosened. If you're lucky you won't tear the gaskets. The rear transmission housing needs to be removed and the two large square head bolts tightened until the excess slack is removed. Make sure to lock the bolts back into position. LOL!

 

[billkoob]

What are you all talking about - spin the axel until more or less tight and good to go.

 

[mEl]

If equipped with a PTO the top cover must be removed and the clutch housing uncovered to remove the bearng retaining nut to withdraw the shaft from the pto drive gear, shift collar and thrust washer as the rear cover is removed. Not as easy as a flat cover tractor with no PTO. mEl

 

[Paul f]

This project looks bigger and bigger. Guess I know why the chains have never been adjusted in the last 57 years.