Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - Help - Broken Track on Mini-Excavator

Edit - Problem is fixed. Thanks for the help, everyone!


Anyone able to give some good advice on replacing the track on a John Deere 17G mini-excavator?

I was working a rental unit out at my farm this weekend, and completely snapped one of the tracks.

Of course, I am a 1/4 mile from the trailer and in a section of loose sand.

I plan on getting a hold of the rental shop on Monday morning and following their advice. My property is about 50 minutes from their shop, so I don't want to lose an extra portion of my work day performing an unreasonable "fix" from them.

I believe that unit is about 3,800#. Think I can just meet their mechanic out there and help him fix it, or is the sand going to create additional problems beyond the usual means of repair, such as at a construction site with firm soil?

Thanks,
Rod

This shows how to track the machine with one side up in the air.


You can temporarily fix a torn rubber track, but they aren't "repairable" they are a "replace when torn" item.


https://www.fortishd.com/repairing-rubber-tracks-on-excavators-and-skid-steers-can-it-be-done/

I’ve had to do that. Wasn’t fun but was doable

Most of them have pretty reasonable customer service, replacing the track is not a huge undertaking but can be a little cumbersome to the inexperienced, Like Esshup said, I would limp it to a more user friendly site to do the work, I have loaded them on a trailer with only one operable track under certain circumstances. had a drive motor go out one time.
The easiest way will be to get on solid ground, use some cribbing to support that side of the excavator after it is lifted off the ground, that way you will still have the excavator to assist you with installing the track,, Most of the tracks will be tensioned with a cylinder by using grease from a greas gun, and also will have to be released by releasing the grease, but the cylinder will not retract on its own without tension, or a track on it, thats where you will need the excavator to push the cylinder back.
Good luck, I hope you got back on track quickly!

I consider replacing a track as a “character builder”.

One of the very few good things about being old (I just turned 80) is knowing that you will never replace another dozer track.