Interchangability of parts

[pmarriott]

Hi all

Does anyone out there know whether early Cletrac parts and more importantly the chassis are interchangable with the later version. THe reason for this is my Cletrac is an early John Deere built one, 1DA206, and the two spare chassis and tranmissions that i have just bought have horizontal volute spring tensioners at the front and are therefore later models.

I am looking at using a late chassis with my early transmission and all other mechanical parts. I guess everything will fit my parts manual only covers the early models.

With these chassis are one good volute tensioner and two possibly broken ones as the thread is missing on the front. Can these be repaired

Any info gratefully received. I would like to have an idea if this is possible before i part with the cash and transport them home.

[Ol Paint]

I wish I could answer your question, Paul.  Looking at pictures of the different styles of idler, it looks like they should interchange.  

Where is the tensioner broken?  That'll be the determining factor as to whether it can be economically repaired and what the best repair method would be, I'd think.

Douglas

[wanderingwillys]

The pair I have has one of each style - I will take a look at the bolt pattern but from what I looked at already it appears as though the units would interchange between the simple screw style and the spring style...

[wanderingwillys]

Paul - Both idlers systems are interchangable - the later volute spring style shares the bolts with the road wheel volute spring in addition to the 4 bolts already used by the mechanical spring tensioner - these look like Acme threads so you should be able to get pre-made allthread from a machine supply company or anyone with a thread cutting lathe can make the part...

It all depends where and how it is broken as to the best way to splice into it - can you put up a picture of the damage?

Matt