Track Pin Press: Everything You Need To Know

If you work with excavators, bulldozers, or any other tracked heavy gear, track maintenance is a must to keep things running smoothly.One of the trickiest, most critical jobs here is yanking out and replacing worn track pins. That’s where a Crawler pin remover comes in—it’s a specialized tool that takes the hassle out of what would otherwise be a slow, backbreaking chore.Whether you’re a small construction boss, a farm manager with a fleet of tracked machines, or a maintenance tech—knowing how these presses work and why you need one saves you time, cash, and headaches.This guide covers all the basics—what they are, safety tips, you name it—and tells you exactly why adding this tool to your maintenance kit is such a smart move.

What is a Track Pin Press?

At its core, a Excavator track press is a hydraulic or manual tool built just to push worn track pins out of their bushings and drive new ones in—with the right force and precision.

Unlike regular tools you might jury-rig for the job, this press is engineered to fit the exact size and pressure needs of tracked machinery parts. Hydraulic models are the go-to for heavy-duty work; they use a hydraulic pump to crank out serious force, so even rusted or stuck pins come out easy without damaging track links or bushings. Manual presses are smaller, better for light machinery or on-the-spot repairs where you don’t have a power source handy.

These tools come in two main setups: portable units you can take straight to the job site, and stationary ones that stay in a workshop. Portable presses are huge hits with small businesses and independent techs—no more hauling heavy machinery all the way to a repair shop. No matter which type you pick, the goal’s simple: make track pin replacement fast, accurate, and easy on your equipment.

How do you Remove a Track Pin from an Excavator?

Taking out an excavator track pin is a step-by-step job—and way easier with a Track press machine.

First, park the excavator on flat, solid ground and hit the parking brake so it doesn’t move accidentally. Next, loosen the track tension: let the grease out of the tension cylinder, and that’ll slacken the track so you can get to the pins easily. Once the track’s loose, find the worn pin you need to swap out—usually the one that’s making the track wiggle too much, or looks rusted and beat up.

Clamp the track pin press onto the track link, lining up the press’s ram right on the pin you’re removing. For hydraulic models, hook up the pump and crank up the pressure slowly until the pin starts moving. Go easy with the force so you don’t bend the track link or damage the bushing. As the pin slides out, guide it carefully—you don’t want it dropping and hurting someone or breaking something.

Once the old pin’s out, clean the bushing and use the same press to install the new pin—just reverse the process to push it in tight. Last step: re-tension the track and test the excavator to make sure the new pin’s locked in good.

Is it Safe to Remove a Pin without a Track Pin Press?

Lots of folks wonder if they can skip buying a Portable hydraulic track press and just use sledgehammers, torches, or crowbars to get track pins out instead. Short answer: it’s not worth the risk. Without a press, you’re stuck using brute force or heat—and both can lead to major safety issues and broken equipment.

Whaling on a pin with a sledgehammer is just asking for injuries. A missed swing can smash your hands or feet, and flying bits from the pin or track link can cut or bruise you bad. Torching a stuck pin to loosen it might feel like a quick fix, but the heat can warp the track link or bushing so bad the whole part’s useless.

Even if you don’t get hurt right away, the lopsided force from these makeshift tools usually damages the track links—meaning expensive repairs later. Plus, these methods take way longer than a press: a 15-minute job with a press could drag on for hours with a sledgehammer. When it comes to pulling track pins, skimping on the right tool is never safe or cheap.

What are the Benefits of a Track Pin Press?

Buying a hydraulic track press is a smart move for any heavy machinery maintenance kit—it comes with tons of perks.

First off, it saves you time. Like we said before, these presses make removing and installing track pins way smoother, cutting down maintenance hours and getting your machines back to work faster. For businesses that depend on tracked gear, less downtime means more time on job sites and better productivity.

Second, it protects your equipment. The press applies steady, controlled force, so you won’t warp, bend, or crack track links and bushings—damage that would force you to replace entire track assemblies. That adds up to big cost savings over time, skipping those pricey repairs and part swaps.

Third, it’s safer. Ditching brute-force tools like sledgehammers lowers the risk of on-the-job injuries. Techs can work with peace of mind, using a tool that’s built to handle the job safely and efficiently.

Last, these presses are versatile. Most models work with all kinds of tracked machinery, from small mini excavators to big bulldozers. Portable units can go straight to the job site, so you can fix equipment on the spot without hauling heavy machines back to the shop. That flexibility is a game-changer for businesses that work in remote areas or manage multiple job sites.

Final Thoughts

Track maintenance is make-or-break for keeping heavy machinery up and running—and a track pin press is the unsung hero of the job.

It simplifies pin removal, boosts safety, and cuts costs—this specialized tool is totally worth it for anyone working with tracked equipment. Whether you’re a seasoned maintenance pro or new to heavy machinery, buying a track pin press pays off long-term: it keeps your gear in top shape and your work rolling.