number of links

[rob love]

A lot depends on how long ago it has been driven. A freshly restored vehicle will usually quickly go through a few links as the accumulated rust and debris is worn from the track pins. Mine was at 162 when I got it. After dragging it around the yard a bit, and the work done to the suspension etc, it ended up going back together with 160 links to be adjusted properly. After the restoration was completed a short decade later, the track quickly went out of adjustment after just a few miles. Within a few more it became necessary to remove the three links. The track is holding it's own now, but as I mentioned earlier, it will be replaced in the spring with a set of 165 link.

Your mileage may vary of course...it all depends on how rusty the pins are. I actually threw a track at the event we attended this summer. I had just been doing a series of sharp pivot turns about 1/4 mile away from our display area without any issue. When I returned to the display area, I had to do a 45° turn to park the carrier. I heard a slightly different noise, and on trying to back up, knew for sure what it was. I had thrown my right track. Two other forum members, Derk Derin and Gordon Falk, both pitched in immediately to effect the repairs. We had to break that track, back off the adjuster, get the track back over the sprocket, remove the required amount of links, and reassemble. This was at a working agricultural museum, and we had an audience. Some guys actually set up lawn chairs to watch.

While breaking track on the other side to remove a similar amount of links, a young lady with a low cut T-shirt also decided she needed to lean over and see what was going on. We call these "carrier groupies". They are not common to find, and alas my wife was standing just 6 feet away. The wife made mention of it a short time later whle road testing the carriers up through the little pioneer village, to which I had to reply that I saw nothing.