I just bought this machine and the UC is really bad. 1973 977L ser.#11K05251. Pins turned, probably a link taken out. Roller flanges pushing metal down pin bosses. Bushings are not worn through. They put new sprocket segments on. I want to use it on my land to carve out a limestone hillside next to the house to put up an out building. I was looking for the big breakout force of the 977 to peel up the layers of stone. If I lose at track it should be on level ground or close to it. Possibly when I retire in say 5 years I would love to fix it up and hire out to do fence row or land clearing.
I got hooked on track loaders 12 years ago when I bought a 1959 Int. TD 15 16 ton. I put the road in through the woods and built a pond. I have it yet. I also picked up a JD 450c 8 ton that I built a quick attach for. I cleared allot of trees off the hillside with something like a 4' wide 5' long forks that have a 1" thk. 4' wide cutting edge welded out front. Dive down about 6' 8' from tree cut roots. back up, pushover. Come in from side of root ball dive under cut roots, pickup arms root ball falls in center drag out. Move to center of tree pick up like fork lift carry away.
What do you guys think? How much harm would be done running it till I'm done or the chain brakes. Should I grind down the pin bosses where the roller flange hits. Is there a way to move it back to my shop (300') after breaking a chain.
I got hooked on track loaders 12 years ago when I bought a 1959 Int. TD 15 16 ton. I put the road in through the woods and built a pond. I have it yet. I also picked up a JD 450c 8 ton that I built a quick attach for. I cleared allot of trees off the hillside with something like a 4' wide 5' long forks that have a 1" thk. 4' wide cutting edge welded out front. Dive down about 6' 8' from tree cut roots. back up, pushover. Come in from side of root ball dive under cut roots, pickup arms root ball falls in center drag out. Move to center of tree pick up like fork lift carry away.
What do you guys think? How much harm would be done running it till I'm done or the chain brakes. Should I grind down the pin bosses where the roller flange hits. Is there a way to move it back to my shop (300') after breaking a chain.
