complete disassembly, where do I start?

[Log Skidder]

I have an HG-68 that has helped me out in the woods a lot over the last couple of years.  It goes where 4x4 trucks would sink, pulls like a champ, and is fun to use.  
 
It was in bad shape when I bought it and I only did as little as I had to, to keep it running.  (Sparkplugs, starter, new battery, etc.)

It looks old and tired.  It fouls out a set of plugs in a summer's worth of afternoons pulling firewood. It leaks oil from the tranny/differential due to a crack in the case.  Which was welded up, but it looks like whoever welded it did it while it was still on the machine (welding upside down).  And where you would think fasteners would be the same size, as threads wore out single holes were retapped larger.  One place I found they used fine thread bolts to maybe "self-lock" them into coarse threaded holes.  

I am addicted to the usefulness of this machine though.  Should I buy a different one or just rebuild this one?  

I like to tear everything apart to at least check that it isn't worn out.  Also, the only way I think I can move this thing to another property is to take it apart and haul it in a pickup in at least a few smaller pieces.  I can see that taking the engine off the frame in one piece will be nice sized chunk.  what do you do from there?  Should I remove the frame from tranny and  then split the tracks off from the differential?  Does it come apart that easily?   How does one go about this if they are stripping down the machine?  I have manuals from Jensales and a booklet on the hercules engine.  Is there any other disassembly/reassembly information out there?  

Also anybody know where I can get a new or good used intake/exhaust manifold.  Mine in rusting through.  

Thanks in advance.

[Log Skidder]

Also, I hear that the piston sleeves are removeable/replaceable.  How hard is that to do?  Are they a slip fit or a light press?  I remember my grandfather saying that when he replaced the sleeves on an Allis Chalmers WD he put them in the freezer to get them a little smaller.  I work for a heavy industry material handling systems company we use dry ice to create a press fit without the sliding damage of using a hydraulic press.

[thecatskinner]

You should get to know Landis Zimmerman, 1450 Diamond Station Rd.
Ephrata, Pa 17522
717-738-2573
He will have most of what you will need--including the manifold.

Do you know what engine you have?  I do not think you have sleeves.

As for hauling---I would beg. borrow or rent a trailer to haul it before I started taking it apart.  It only weighs a little over 3000# without a blade or loader.

[Log Skidder]

It has been a few years since I used my HG.  I started looking through the parts and service manuals and discovered that you are right, no sleeves.  

I called Landis Zimmerman Yesterday and ordered a bunch of parts.  Great guy to talk to too, lots of knowledge.  I changed the plugs out last night and I think my problem was that one plug looks like the oilly buildup of burning oil or rich burning.  and then the other three look like a dry buildup of impurities or additives in the gas.  I was adding a lead additive thinking that was what the engine was designed for, but I have learned that it is not necessary.  Normal gas is fine.  

I was glad to see that there was still a full level of oil in the engine.  

I ordered a bunch of gaskets from Landis, as well as a hand crank.  I am going to take the head off and the valve cover off and check things out slowly before I use the electric starter.  Landis recommended adjusting the tappet clearances and maybe regrind/lap the valves.  From what I see in the service manual I will have to see how well the valve stems behave in the valve guides.  

I originally moved the crawler to my place on a flat bed wrecker.  I might find someone around here to do that again.  

For the record, I have an IXK-3 engine.

[Log Skidder]

If and when I completely go through and take everything apart (right now I am just getting it running) would it be beneficial to this site to have a set of disassembly/reassembly pictures, maybe something of a reference.  I would certainly like to see something like this before I go through this rebuild.  Or is this considered common knowledge?  Personally I like to see all the pictures people put up on how they rebuilt stuff.

What is a good picture file size for this sort of thing?

[thecatskinner]

Just a thought---you might want to get yourself some manuals.  You can find them on ebay all the time--do a search for cletrac---or order from Landis or Jensales.
No matter how familiar you might be with tractors in general there are a few things about these little guys that are unique and the cost is not all that much.

[John Schwiebert]

You need to get an operators manual and a parts book. The Oliver Hart Parr site has an email address for the Floyd County Museum in Iowa where the wheel tractors are made. They also have manuals to sell and the price is good. There seams to be enough used stuff for sale It might be good to pick up a spare transmission if your case is bad rather than try to repair.Questions send me a U2U

[Log Skidder]

I already have the manuals from when I first bought the crawler, say three years ago.  I even have the hercules engine parts list.  

thanks for the suggestion.  

Anybody out there reworked everything from the axle extension tubes out.  Is the best way to go about this to first remove the tracks, then remove the support brackets from the frame.  Then work on the final drive and the track frame seperately?  Then to get to the final drive I have to remove the drive sprocket?  Then the tube extension can be seperated from the differential case..