l555 drive chain

[jerry]

Shouldnt the wheels turn though if the chain is broken? I was trying to turn it by hand and it goes some but then stops.

top of the forum page under faqs is the picture posting info.

 

[Tazza]

top of the forum page under faqs is the picture posting info.

Its not simply locked up because the chain is wedged in place is it?

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Its not simply locked up because the chain is wedged in place is it?

Each wheel on each side should have its own chain.2 chains conect to the same motor/.reduction box between the wheels on that side The unbroken chain won't let the wheel turn because it is fasttened to the drive reduction and motor sprocket in the center. The broken chain must be wedged agained the chain case or the wheel bearing has piled up, and it broke the chain.
To paste a pic upload it to photobucket.com and past the link into the typing window here
Ken

 

[irvi00]

Each wheel on each side should have its own chain.2 chains conect to the same motor/.reduction box between the wheels on that side The unbroken chain won't let the wheel turn because it is fasttened to the drive reduction and motor sprocket in the center. The broken chain must be wedged agained the chain case or the wheel bearing has piled up, and it broke the chain.
To paste a pic upload it to photobucket.com and past the link into the typing window here
Ken

Nope, on an L555 there is only one chain per side. I've been through this twice with mine. It has to be chain binding with the case or the chain still engaged with the drive sprocket. We are talking about a late 80's model L555 model right?

 

[tjridings]

Nope, on an L555 there is only one chain per side. I've been through this twice with mine. It has to be chain binding with the case or the chain still engaged with the drive sprocket. We are talking about a late 80's model L555 model right?

late 80's early 90's. There is only 1 chain. Ok.. here is what happened.. here is what I have done. I was trying to push a tree over and I heard a loud clunk. I immediately lost my left side drive. Right stick works fine, left stick feels bound. I stopped the machine and took off the side access panel and saw the chain had snapped. I jacked up the skid steer so both left tires were off the ground. I assumed that I could just turn the wheels and let the chain fall off the sprocket and then just get a new chain or con-link. When I go to turn the wheels, they only turn about 1/4 of the way around. Again, the chain is broken so turning one wheel does not turn the other. I can feel the sprocket with my hand on both wheels so the chain has not wrapped around the sprocket. Can I turn the wheels with my hands on my own since the chain is broken or do I need major leverage? The emergency brake is off. I am completely stumped (no pun intended). I did notice a access panel on the inside by my left foot and I didnt know if I needed to go in there and do anything? I really appreciate all of the help and advice that I have been given and do want to say thanks to all that have responded. Any more advice would be greatly appreciated.. thanks.

 

[irvi00]

Nope, on an L555 there is only one chain per side. I've been through this twice with mine. It has to be chain binding with the case or the chain still engaged with the drive sprocket. We are talking about a late 80's model L555 model right?

Thats the best I can do. One chain, on each side, driving both wheels. If the chain is not engaged to the drive motor sprocket, then the chain must be binding in the case or a broken piece of chain has worked under the wheel sprocket and seized it up.

 

[irvi00]

Thats the best I can do. One chain, on each side, driving both wheels. If the chain is not engaged to the drive motor sprocket, then the chain must be binding in the case or a broken piece of chain has worked under the wheel sprocket and seized it up.

Just something to think about, when the chain broke and you moved just a few feet, if the chain "piled" up and bound against the case, it was driven in there under HEAVY hydraulic pressure. It's gonna take some HEAVY arm pressure to back it off. Main thing is to determine which way it siezed and to back it out the opposite way. This is the only thing I can think of other than a seized wheel bearing. What you have descibed is EXACTLY the same event I had the last time my chain broke. I'm sorry guy, I'm out of ideas.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Just something to think about, when the chain broke and you moved just a few feet, if the chain "piled" up and bound against the case, it was driven in there under HEAVY hydraulic pressure. It's gonna take some HEAVY arm pressure to back it off. Main thing is to determine which way it siezed and to back it out the opposite way. This is the only thing I can think of other than a seized wheel bearing. What you have descibed is EXACTLY the same event I had the last time my chain broke. I'm sorry guy, I'm out of ideas.

That tensioner sprocket would get some serious stress when this system is in reverse.
Think it is time to make a big wrench that bolts to the wheel studs
Ken

 

[frogfarmer]

That tensioner sprocket would get some serious stress when this system is in reverse.
Think it is time to make a big wrench that bolts to the wheel studs
Ken

When the chain binds against the case it can seem almost impossible for it to be that tight. As they said above it was driven under pressure of the drive motor when it likely got stuck. Leverage from the wheel studs through a large lever should be enough to work it loose. I have seen machines that piled the chains up bulge the case.

 

[irwin]

When the chain binds against the case it can seem almost impossible for it to be that tight. As they said above it was driven under pressure of the drive motor when it likely got stuck. Leverage from the wheel studs through a large lever should be enough to work it loose. I have seen machines that piled the chains up bulge the case.

Hi tj.. Do you have a digital camera? If so take some pictures, pictures are golden on these machine help forums. ( I'm another happy L555 owner here.)

I think, like the others, that your chain is wrapped on itself and jammed against the case. You'll need to unwind it, so get the bright light and mirror out and figure which way it's spun on.. then un-spin it off. If it's really jammed, you'll have to really try when you back it off. Keep tension on the chain so it doesn't grab a link as it frees up and jam up on the way off. (If you understand what I'm saying) Good luck...

 

[dakotadigger]

Hi tj.. Do you have a digital camera? If so take some pictures, pictures are golden on these machine help forums. ( I'm another happy L555 owner here.)

I think, like the others, that your chain is wrapped on itself and jammed against the case. You'll need to unwind it, so get the bright light and mirror out and figure which way it's spun on.. then un-spin it off. If it's really jammed, you'll have to really try when you back it off. Keep tension on the chain so it doesn't grab a link as it frees up and jam up on the way off. (If you understand what I'm saying) Good luck...

wondering how this turned out i have a l555 and we just did a chain repair on my brothers l553 due to it breaking in a very simular way as you describe any how as you may already have found out the chain did just what you would figure and doubble up and jammed against the case and was not pretty didnt not read your post untill we ahd already repaired or i would have taken some pics it took a large custom wrench we made out of the center section of an old rim and welded a pocket on it to allow for a beefy bar then harped on it to un jamm it. tried to keep the whole job clean but did flush the fluid after words and kept an eye on the screen also spun some newfilters on after a few hours of operation