Track pins

[tankbarrell]

There are other things to consider in this problem. Manganese track work hardens so the pin holes will not wear as much as might be thought after settling in.
Much of the hole and pin wear is to do with the grit getting in and acting as a grinding paste. Relative hardness is less important than a tough pin.

There is not much material in the link to fit a bush and I would have thought the work involved initially as well as at the point of fitting new bushes would be greater than having new track cast.

[Ron Pier]

Thanks for that explanation Lynn. I was assuming that one end of the pin would have to be hacksawed off. My carrier came to me with perfect track and wheels, and I've never had to remove any so far. Ron

[Perry Kitson]

Some years ago when I was restoring my MK II carrier, I had the same problem with the pins. I had a few NOS pins checked for hardness and they came up at 54-56Rc. The original pins are induction hardened to prevent warping ( oven or flame hardening would produce banana like pins unless they were held in a fixture ) while leaving the center portion tough. The pins are cold headed to shape the end, the same process as making bolts. From the factory, the track sections were cold headed on both ends, with a joining pin with the cotter pin hole to assemble the sections. I have used .4375 dia. Class 60 shafting cut to length and then welded on the heads to replicate the original pins. One last point, T16 pins are slightly shorter than the pins used on UC track, Canadian track anyway.

Perry

[Rob Beale]

I have made new pins for the LP style track using X4140 shafting.
I would have to search out the original note, but it was 'centreless ground' I think?
Anyway they have been on the carrier for probably 10 years now.

several other carrier owners in NZ have used the same material.

I can't comment on forming the head as we don't have the domed end as the pin is held in place with a lead plug.

Rob
LP2 (NZ) MG

[horsa]

Original T-16 pins should be the same length as normal British/Canadian carrier pins. The post war Swiss modified T-16s have milled down track links which are slightly narrower and so used a shorter length track pin. And they made them all as cotter pin type holdings.

[Jon Bradshaw]

Thanks for all the information. I'm afraid I don't have a press to make the proper end for the pin. I guess it will have to have a cotter pin on each end.

Jon

[kevin powles]

Hi, I am curious to know why the swiss army had the track links milled down?, the shorter cotter pins type pins are only 1/2" shorter than standard carrier pins. I have several hunderd of these shorter pins, ideal for welding a washer on the end but little use for putting a cotter pin through on a universal carrier.

[RichardT10829]

the cotter type pins, are these the ones with the soft ends which you flatten over ?

i wonder if the Swiss army changed the spec of the track for transportation purposes, so they would fit existing trailers / wagons etc etc. i have no doubt the answer will be in Nigels book.... will put my beak back in there and have a look