OK guys, you are going to love this one. The front tensioning wheel fell off my Nodwell and it now sits in the field in need of care. Seems I failed to tight the lug bolts enough after fall repairs and it came off while driving. Nothing else got tore up but I must now retract in the field. as I look at this situation it seems tha I have two alternatives.
1 Split the track by removing 16 bolts, which I have done in the past and it was less than enjoyable, remount the tensioning wheel and put track back together. I did this all last fall in the comfort of my cat house where it can drive onto an elevated platform and work under the beast on a creeper. Now I am in the snow so am imagining another plan.
2 jack and block the detracted side. remove all four Boggie wheels to give enough slack to replace the tensioning wheel without splitting the track, replace bogies and then retention.
I'm leaning toward alternative 2 unless I hear that this is impossible and splitting the track and all that it involves is the only way.
What do you guys think. I'm sure this is not the first time that this has happened to a cat.
I will be spending Christmas morning under the Nodwell. Any inspiring thought would be greatly appreciated.
I will promise to give a full report when I'm done. Soon than later I hope.
Happy holidays.
1 Split the track by removing 16 bolts, which I have done in the past and it was less than enjoyable, remount the tensioning wheel and put track back together. I did this all last fall in the comfort of my cat house where it can drive onto an elevated platform and work under the beast on a creeper. Now I am in the snow so am imagining another plan.
2 jack and block the detracted side. remove all four Boggie wheels to give enough slack to replace the tensioning wheel without splitting the track, replace bogies and then retention.
I'm leaning toward alternative 2 unless I hear that this is impossible and splitting the track and all that it involves is the only way.
What do you guys think. I'm sure this is not the first time that this has happened to a cat.
I will be spending Christmas morning under the Nodwell. Any inspiring thought would be greatly appreciated.
I will promise to give a full report when I'm done. Soon than later I hope.
Happy holidays.