tire play

[mclark]

Picked up a 743 and jacked it up to change all 4 wheels. The right side wheels rolled forward about 3 inches and stopped (has 1/2 inch play each way). The left side rolls forward and backward about 5 inches each way. My other 743 rolls 1/2 inch each way on both sides. Any ideas on what wrong and how to fix? I know chains stretch but 5 inches is alot isn't it? Also checked chain case oil and oil gushed out so I know one or both of my travel motors have a bad seal.... Thanks guys....Mike

 

[Tazza]

The bad seal should be in the gear box, not the motor its self. Remove the motor and you should be able to see it.
The play sounds like chain stretch, you can even it out by loosening the reduction boxes the drive motors attach to. You move it back and forth so both sides have the same amount of play. This is assuming both front and back tyres don't move the same amount.
Its not un-expected to have a fair amount of wear/stretch.

 

[mclark]

The bad seal should be in the gear box, not the motor its self. Remove the motor and you should be able to see it.
The play sounds like chain stretch, you can even it out by loosening the reduction boxes the drive motors attach to. You move it back and forth so both sides have the same amount of play. This is assuming both front and back tyres don't move the same amount.
Its not un-expected to have a fair amount of wear/stretch.

Taz, I should have mentioned that both tires do move the same amount at the same time. How do I remedy this? Thanks...Mike

 

[Tazza]

Taz, I should have mentioned that both tires do move the same amount at the same time. How do I remedy this? Thanks...Mike

The only way i can see is to replace the chains. It sounds like they have stretched a fair bit. There is no adjustment inside the chain case for this.

 

[mclark]

The only way i can see is to replace the chains. It sounds like they have stretched a fair bit. There is no adjustment inside the chain case for this.

Well looks like I'll be opening her up. I'll let you know what I find. Guess I'll clean and mop out the chain case while I in there too. Man, seems like the more I work on it the more I find to do. Can I replace the two gearcase seals with out removing the housing? I haven't removed the motors yet.This machine has got 2069 hrs and I bought it from the orignal owner. Is there anything else I should check out on a machine with this many hrs ? Thanks...Mike

 

[Tazza]

Well looks like I'll be opening her up. I'll let you know what I find. Guess I'll clean and mop out the chain case while I in there too. Man, seems like the more I work on it the more I find to do. Can I replace the two gearcase seals with out removing the housing? I haven't removed the motors yet.This machine has got 2069 hrs and I bought it from the orignal owner. Is there anything else I should check out on a machine with this many hrs ? Thanks...Mike

The gear case seals you are talking about are the ones to seal the motor case drain oil from the chain case right? if so, they should be able to be removed without pulling the gear boxes off. Drill a hole, screw in a self tapping screw and lever it out.
Thats not a whole lot of hours! It depends on how far you go with it. If you drop the chain case to gain better access to the rear chains, i'd change the axls seals and ensure there is no end float. Its a big job, but access is much better if you seperate the chaincase from the main frame.