Post by Admin on Jan 21, 2020 0:03:31 GMT
rkalterI saw a thread on this site by Joe Olympic about lengthening the link plates. I performed surgery this week and added one inch to each of my link plates for my 1971 TNT 340. What an incredible difference. It's no wonder I blew my drive wheels to pieces. The track was under tremendous pressure with the factory plates and track shrinkage. I had to use a ratchet strap to pull the track back far enough to engage the old link plates. With just one inch added I could install by hand and have factory spec track tension. Now I just need snow to test drive. Has anybody heard when fall is supposed to end and when winter is going to start? Thankyou for the great info Joe!!
Ray
Joe Olympique
Way to go Ray, you've seen the light. The extended link plate works every time. The idea came from my brother, Michael, a 40 year Caterpillar specialist. This is a man who knows tracks. As he told me, "A little bit goes a long way" Anyone and everyone employing used tracks would be advised to go this route. Thanks for validating.
Green and Gold
Hey Joe, from the pics it looks like you probably(?) started with 2 sets of link plates--2 lefts, 2 rights---cut and butt welded back together. Did you try welding in a piece of plate cut to size, or did you just happen to have a large number of spare link plates around to work with?
1970TNT
HE JUST USES TWO LINK PLATES TO MAKE ONE "BIG FOOT" YETI
Joe Olympique
Yes, I spliced four link plates into a pair of extensions. I had a few extras on hand and once I realized I'd be dooing this on other sleds I made a point of hoarding. No, I did not try an insert. I know other guys have done this and it works just fine. I like using two plates to make one for two reasons...only one weld to grind and dress, and the flared bottom edge keeps it's line. I'll post step by step pics this evening.
75 Elan
Still wonder about the link plates, I know on my LT Elan which has no link plate the track had shrunk, so I could just drill new holes to move the rear axel in a bit. but after a few weeks of riding the track stretch back and I had to move the back axel to it's original position in order to tighten the track, I suggest you guys keep an eye on it if you ride alot, and keep original size link plates around just in case. Hopefully I'm wrong and you won't need to change.
Joe Olympique
I've seen it work out both ways. I have two riders, 72 skunk, and 73 elan, both had tight tracks and standard link plates. After two winters of pretty good riding the tracks were still way too tight so I made the change of both sleds. But then a kid that I sold a 71 oly too, on which I installed the extensions, called me up recently to say his track had stretched. So I sent him a standard pair. So I'd agree with Bill, keep a standard set of link plates on hand.
Ray
Joe Olympique
Way to go Ray, you've seen the light. The extended link plate works every time. The idea came from my brother, Michael, a 40 year Caterpillar specialist. This is a man who knows tracks. As he told me, "A little bit goes a long way" Anyone and everyone employing used tracks would be advised to go this route. Thanks for validating.
Green and Gold
Hey Joe, from the pics it looks like you probably(?) started with 2 sets of link plates--2 lefts, 2 rights---cut and butt welded back together. Did you try welding in a piece of plate cut to size, or did you just happen to have a large number of spare link plates around to work with?
1970TNT
HE JUST USES TWO LINK PLATES TO MAKE ONE "BIG FOOT" YETI
Joe Olympique
Yes, I spliced four link plates into a pair of extensions. I had a few extras on hand and once I realized I'd be dooing this on other sleds I made a point of hoarding. No, I did not try an insert. I know other guys have done this and it works just fine. I like using two plates to make one for two reasons...only one weld to grind and dress, and the flared bottom edge keeps it's line. I'll post step by step pics this evening.
75 Elan
Still wonder about the link plates, I know on my LT Elan which has no link plate the track had shrunk, so I could just drill new holes to move the rear axel in a bit. but after a few weeks of riding the track stretch back and I had to move the back axel to it's original position in order to tighten the track, I suggest you guys keep an eye on it if you ride alot, and keep original size link plates around just in case. Hopefully I'm wrong and you won't need to change.
Joe Olympique
I've seen it work out both ways. I have two riders, 72 skunk, and 73 elan, both had tight tracks and standard link plates. After two winters of pretty good riding the tracks were still way too tight so I made the change of both sleds. But then a kid that I sold a 71 oly too, on which I installed the extensions, called me up recently to say his track had stretched. So I sent him a standard pair. So I'd agree with Bill, keep a standard set of link plates on hand.