KOMATSU PC75-UU2 IDLER WHEEL

[Mike59]

Hi guys,

Finally decided to do a complete track overhaul on the komatsu. The chains where badly stretched & worn, which was undoubtedly putting a lot of strain on the track motors. We'd replaced one of the idler wheels a few years ago, but now with everything disassembled, have found that the bearings have disintegrated in the other one, so this needs to be sorted out too.

Has anyone actually repaired an idler wheel ? Wondering if it is feasible to attempt a repair ourselves, as a new unit is about £500 We've removed the wheel from the machine & unbolted the hydraulic ram which needs new seals, but we're not sure how to get the wheel apart from the fork ? Looks like there's a big pin which holds the wheel shaft in place ? Probably needs a seriously strong hydraulic press to remove it ? so likely beyond our capability ? I remember I'd taken the last one to a plant workshop & they'd said it wasn't repairable & it needed a new one, so if they couldn't do it or thought it wasn't worth it, perhaps we don't have much chance & should take the pain & buy a complete new unit ?

Any thoughts appreciated. Enjoy the Easter break everyone.

Cheers
Mike

 

[V8Druid]

Hi guys,

Finally decided to do a complete track overhaul on the komatsu. The chains where badly stretched & worn, which was undoubtedly putting a lot of strain on the track motors. We'd replaced one of the idler wheels a few years ago, but now with everything disassembled, have found that the bearings have disintegrated in the other one, so this needs to be sorted out too.

Has anyone actually repaired an idler wheel ? Wondering if it is feasible to attempt a repair ourselves, as a new unit is about £500 We've removed the wheel from the machine & unbolted the hydraulic ram which needs new seals, but we're not sure how to get the wheel apart from the fork ? Looks like there's a big pin which holds the wheel shaft in place ? Probably needs a seriously strong hydraulic press to remove it ? so likely beyond our capability ? I remember I'd taken the last one to a plant workshop & they'd said it wasn't repairable & it needed a new one, so if they couldn't do it or thought it wasn't worth it, perhaps we don't have much chance & should take the pain & buy a complete new unit ?

Any thoughts appreciated. Enjoy the Easter break everyone.

Cheers
Mike

if the inner bore of the idler has been damaged (bearings collapsed and wearing idler), it'll want a big lathe to remedy and then bush ... then bearings and probably a pin, plus the wear on the outer 'tyre' ... TBH, much as I like to repair whenever possible, it won't take long to add up to the cost of a new off the shelf item IMHDO, if you don't have the facilities to do it all yourself

 

[Smiffy]

if the inner bore of the idler has been damaged (bearings collapsed and wearing idler), it'll want a big lathe to remedy and then bush ... then bearings and probably a pin, plus the wear on the outer 'tyre' ... TBH, much as I like to repair whenever possible, it won't take long to add up to the cost of a new off the shelf item IMHDO, if you don't have the facilities to do it all yourself

Tbh 500quid barely gets you 2 days of messing with it. And I don't think it would take much to end up with 2 days sorting existing one out.

 

[Mick-the-fitter]

2 days £500 I’ll send all my boys to you

 

[Mike59]

Many thanks for your replies guys. We can strip & reassemble stuff, but haven’t got the workshop facilities needed to sort the repairs you mention, that the idler would likely need. £500 isn’t an unrealistic amount I guess in today’s world, particularly for a 62kg ? lump of steel that does a lot of work & has to take a lot of strain. I’ll shop around & see what the best price is.