Kobelco SK115SRDZ Serial # YY03-05227 So guys threw a track today, decided to completely remove the grease fitting tension adjuster nut from the piston, then took a fairly larger machine and shoved the idler back. Got the track back on, reinstalled the grease fitting. Started pumping it back up with an electric grease gun and the cylinder will only extend to a point and stop extending and stop taking grease, it comes out of the relief of the grease gun instead. I’m wondering when the guys shoved the idler back if they may have dislodge some seals inside? Anybody have any experience with this? The idler is free in the track frame and not binding. We also removed the grease adjuster fitting to make sure it would take grease, it does.
The track may fail to be adjusted if: 1. the adjuster cylinder seals are worn and there is internal leakage of grease in the cylinder 2. the adjuster grease nipple/fitting is stuck and can not take in grease 3. the adjuster grease fitting internal spring is faulty in that it has lost its resilience to press the ball prevent grease back flow and spits grease back when left under the the track weight- you can replace the fitting or dismount and disassemble /open it to service the fitting 4. the Idler seals failed, lost the shaft lubricant and the shaft is worn. The idler hole is no loner round but oval, with a lot of lost adjuster fork ineffective movement giving little idler movement 5. The track pins are worn in the track bushes especially tracks which have served the undercarriage life of ten years. 6. Some adjuster designs have a lock plate under which is an O-ring, which if the O-ring fails the grease comes out as it is being filed through the fitting. Explore the above scenarios and see if any of them may be the cause for idler fair to move and tension the track.
remove the track adjuster cylinder and cleean it. rust might starts to build up on the pressure seal area and on the the cylinder itself. inspect also you rod probably the chrome had already been corroded causing it to hold and not permitting it to extend
Remember we had this happen on the Kubota 161. We took the cylinder out and it had a ring of rust that we wired brushed off. worked fine after that.
Thank you for all the replies. We took the idler assembly out yesterday and brought it to the shop. Pressure washed it off and removed the grease valve. The rod is fine, a few tiny rust spots. Removed the rod and cleaned up all the grease, found no issues. Grease valve would take grease but once under pressure it would not. Got a new grease valve and everything works fine now. $33.00 and a clean idler assembly and we are back in business. Thanks again for the help.