New shoes for Indy

Last week we put new tracks on our Indy tractor.  We got all the use that we possible could out of these tracks.  It was time for some new shoes.

The tracks arrived and a couple days later Kelly stopped by to help us replace the tracks.  With Reynald, Kelly and Alicia working, the task was completed before lunch time.

This is what $20,000 looks like!

Notice the deep traction on these new tracks.

Here's a close up of the old track.  You can see the cracks in the belt and the worn treads. 

If you enlarge this you can see the steel coming through the belt.

This is another shot of how worn these tracks are.  

We also decided to change the mid-bogie wheels.  The old ones were more narrow than the new.  The wider ones go out to the edge of the track.  It is supposed to make the track wear more evenly.

The new, wider bogie wheels will come out to the end of the tracks

Another shot of the bogie wheels that are narrow.

These are the wider bogie wheels.

It is possible to change the tracks without Kelly's neat service truck, but it would be a lot harder and would take much longer to complete the project.  It's also much safer with the proper equipment.

Kelly's service truck, backed up and ready for action.

Kelly and Reynald used two hydraulic jacks, one in the front and one in the back, to lift the tractor off the ground so that the tracks could be removed.  This is the front jack.

And this is the rear jack.

Kelly is releasing the track tension.

Reynald is removing the high rear drive wheel.

Kelly and Reynald removing the rear drive wheel.

Rear drive wheel leaning against the front of the tractor.  

Now, with the help of the boom lift, Reynald and Kelly are able to pry the track off the rear.

The track is off.  

Next, put on the new track......

New bogie wheels on, next the new track.

And now the new track on.