Track link replacement question

[Ed Miller]

I have a broken master link.    I got a replacement from Zimmerman's which included the standard pin.   The master pin I have is still good.   My question is how to get the pin out of the broken section.   I don't have a press for the link pin and would like to just drive the pin out of the link with the track still partially on the machine if possible.   I have a good torch.   If I heat the link up, how easy is it to drive the pin out?

[Robert Barbour]

That is not going to be easy.  The main link pins are a tight press fit.  It is usually done on a track press.  Those are small tracks so you may be able to weld up a heavy duty bracket and do it with a large hydraulic jack.  Heating will help but it is hard to get both sides hot at the same time.  You need to get the link hot fast so the pin stays as cool as possible and that is not easy to do on both sides at the same time. Cold a twenty ton jack would likely do it. Were are you located??

[Ed Miller]

Haddam CT
I was thinking of drilling from the outside to relieve the pin on that side. Then I'd only have to heat the inside.  A neighbor talked about using a torch to "drill " into the pin but I don't think I'm that good with the torch

Ed