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warddc 
Bronze Level
Joined: 26 Nov 2012
Points: 49
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 Topic: How do I tell which is the track master link?
Posted: 17 Dec 2012 at 12:39pm |
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I have an H3. How do I easily tell which is the master link? I understand the master link has a shorter bushing but the is hard to see.
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1962 H-3 Dozer
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Randaleky
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Joined: 17 Aug 2011
Location: belfry, ky.
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Posted: 17 Dec 2012 at 12:44pm |
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master pin is usually longer than others and it should have an indent in the middle of end.
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warddc
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Posted: 17 Dec 2012 at 4:36pm |
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does that mean that the master link will protrude from the track chain farther than the others? I doubt I will be able to see the dimple in the end of the link from the years of dirt and wear.
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1962 H-3 Dozer
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DiyDave
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Gambrills, MD
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Posted: 17 Dec 2012 at 6:07pm |
 warddc wrote:
I have an H3. How do I easily tell which is the master link? I understand the master link has a shorter bushing but the is hard to see. |
Look for hammer strike scars, too.
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Coke-in-MN
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Location: Afton MN
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Posted: 17 Dec 2012 at 7:13pm |
A lot of times it will have a punch mark or a indent in the center of pin to tell it from other pins. It also might be slightly longer and protrude from the link a small amount further on both sides than other pins. Only other way is to remove the track and look close at bushings as the master link bushing is shorter than other bushings as it needs to fit between side links and has a spacer washer and shims at end of bushing. You may be able to see this space when looking close at links .
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Faith isn't a jump in the dark. It is a walk in the light. Faith is not guessing; it is knowing something.
"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."
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Dozer
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Location: SW New York
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Posted: 18 Dec 2012 at 7:44am |
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I paint the master link with fluoresent paint. You may need to find it when the chain is really dirty.
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warddc
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Posted: 29 Dec 2012 at 7:03am |
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so what is the difference between a regular pin and a master pin? what makes the master special?
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1962 H-3 Dozer
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DMiller
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Posted: 29 Dec 2012 at 7:34am |
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Different dimensions to start, slightly smaller diameter, some are tapered or designed to wedge as they come to full install depth and do not require the same pressure to remove. Then there is the master bushing, it has no engagement ears or extension of the tube beyond the edge of the track links, the gap in the outer link ears is taken up with spacers and shims to compensate and to fill the voids. This arrangement allows the links to separate without full removal of a side link member to remove the rail.
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CAL(KS)
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Joined: 18 Sep 2009
Location: Chapman, KS
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Posted: 29 Dec 2012 at 7:36am |
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master pin is a couple thousanths smaller usually to facilitate removal without a track press to allow serivce on track components
Edited by CAL(KS) - 29 Dec 2012 at 7:38am
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Me -C,U,UC,WC,WD45,190XT,TL-12,145T,HD6G,HD16,HD20
Dad- WD, D17D, D19D, RT100A, 7020, 7080,7580, 2-8550's, 2-S77, HD15
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warddc
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Posted: 29 Dec 2012 at 7:42am |
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ok. got it. thanks.
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1962 H-3 Dozer
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ac_sd
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Posted: 31 Dec 2012 at 7:27pm |
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tyhe smaller master pis can be difficult to drive out, heating usually helps. When heating it works better if the heat is concentrated at one point at the very end of the track link otherwise the heat transfers to the pin also. When reassembling, put the master pin in the fridge overnight and take it out just before you are ready to drive it back in. Good luck.
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DMiller
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Posted: 01 Jan 2013 at 8:28am |
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I have had luck when I could find dry ice to load the pins after sitting in a cooler with the ice for a short time. Dry ice(CO2) is getting harder to get anymore.
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