Track shedding

[Blairvoyach]

Hello everyone.

We have a JCB 8027 in for repair which keeps shedding one track. The track is brand new rubber but is not a JCB original. We initially thought it was the old problem of the idler guides becoming splayed (they were) and we have rectified this but she still keeps throwing the track. The only difference in the tracks we can see is that the original track (JCB) has the steel cleats in pairs so that only every other sprocket tooth engages whereas the new track (Chinese we think), every cleat is individual. If we run the track backwards or forwards, the sprocket appears to climb out of the track and operates the recoil spring after which there is a loud bang as the sprocket re-engages. Tracking on the ground, the track gets spit off in seconds. The owner refuses to believe the track could be responsible and JCB don't like to commit to commenting on non original parts. Anybody else think that the new track MUST be the problem here?

[Muz]

Hello everyone.

We have a JCB 8027 in for repair which keeps shedding one track. The track is brand new rubber but is not a JCB original. We initially thought it was the old problem of the idler guides becoming splayed (they were) and we have rectified this but she still keeps throwing the track. The only difference in the tracks we can see is that the original track (JCB) has the steel cleats in pairs so that only every other sprocket tooth engages whereas the new track (Chinese we think), every cleat is individual. If we run the track backwards or forwards, the sprocket appears to climb out of the track and operates the recoil spring after which there is a loud bang as the sprocket re-engages. Tracking on the ground, the track gets spit off in seconds. The owner refuses to believe the track could be responsible and JCB don't like to commit to commenting on non original parts. Anybody else think that the new track MUST be the problem here?

Its whats called a short pitch track with double the number of links, supposedly makes for smoother running, and it sounds as if its not the correct pitch for your machine. I assume both tracks are the same ? it will be stamped on the rubber (230x31x96 for example) check that it is the same .. and there are no problems with the other side at all ?

If they are the same size/pitch tracks .. check the sprockets are equal in teeth too, and give us a shout back

[Blairvoyach]

Plot thickens.....

Customer has decided to bite the bullet and buy a genuine JCB track. The difference in quality, build and weight is night and day. So, we put the track on and run it off the ground and although it runs better and doesn't constantly activate the recoil device, there is definitely an issue with the idler teeth climbing out of the track then snapping back in with a crack, probably once per revolution. The customer now tells us he has found out that the problem idler is probably not off an 8027 at all or at least off a different age 8027 . A close inspection of the idler unit shows that steel has been added to the bottom edge where it slides in the undercarriage to make it line up with the recoil unit (about 13mm). It has been very cleverly done, needs a real close look to spot it. I think it is definitely the actual sprocket is very slightly different to the genuine article, enough to cause this problem.

Need to persuade him to get a new, genuine idler and see where we go from here.

Regards to all,

Jeff.