I plan to replace the track chains on my Case 550 Dozer and reuse the track shoes. The track shoes are single grouser with open center hole. The grouser bars are worn down to about 3/4 inch tall. Other than the wear the shoes are all in good condition - no broken or bent ones. I want to weld about a 1/2 inch wide x 3/4 inch bar on top of the existing grouser bars - if I do a continuous weld on both sides will the warpage when the weld cools cause the shoes to bend too much. Will preheating help ? Could possibly build a jig with a small porta power cylinder to bend the shoe slightly in the opposite direction prior to welding ? Appreciate comments from anyone who has welded bars on their track shoes
I would use grouser bar ,less work to prepared weld joint
If the pads are coming off bolt a couple back to back to weld new grousers on. They don't normally warp.
If you use grouser bar just follow the welding instructions from the bar supplier. Alternating welding passes on both sides of the bevel will do as much as anything to prevent distortion. My particular favourite as far as bar is concerned is Dura-Tuff. They have 4 different bar shapes that you can pick from to suit how your shoes have worn and so make welding simpler & quicker. https://www.duratuff.com/ https://www.duratuff.com/grouser-bar.html
We do that quite often for winter ice use. Its called corking . There are videos on YouTube We do preheat the track pads a bit. Usually done on the machine. Never had a problem with warping.