HD5B Final Drive Seals etc..

Looking at having this done by a local shop. They told me to free up the track adjustors and replace the final drive seals would be about 1 day per side($1200 labor at $75/hr) They will definitely need some heat but other than that the man that looked at it thought it should be pretty straight forward. I realize without out being here in person it's impossible to know for certain but as 55 machines go this one looks real good and we know the history since it was purchased..in other words there is nothing rigged. Are they way off on this estimate or should I plan on more than 8 hrs/side?

food for thought, the track needs to be split, the track frame removed and out of the way, I usually just roll it down the tracks laying there. then the outer bearing is removed and pulled off then the track nut is loosened (1500 ft lbs) then the sprocket is pulled off, seal changed and then reverse order. a lot can go wrong but seems like 12 hrs each is a fair estimate. remember it is only an estimate. the pivot pins will most likely be worn. when I had mine off I put shim stock in to make the space. not exactly the way I wanted to do it but the budget stops somewhere. they should be as tight a possible because that keeps the track frames parallel. I also drilled the outer bearing flange to accept a grease fitting as my bearing went bad due to lack of lube. this way I use 00 grease and make sure I don't lose any more bearings. they are hard to find and expensive. the inner and outer seals are about 175.00 for both. be sure to check the front idler adjustment on the slides. add shims if needed. check all rollers and lube while they are easy to get to. flip the frame over to access. good luck

The mechanic said he could break it down in about 8 hrs on each side if it were at his shop...?

Good point Coke and one I have struggled with. Yes, it is sentimental but I also would like to maybe use it for small jobs down the road for my two boys. I'm hoping I can get them into doing some small jobs as I've already got a small tractor/hoe combination, trailer, truck to pull everything. My wife thinks I'm dreaming but where I am there is no real skilled small outfits. I told my boys they could work together during school, summers etc...building a small business with little to no overhead. No high dollar production work but small excavation/landscaping jobs. I don't ever see the 5 working hard but I'd like it complete enough to do some basics like I did on my project with it. And, as my boys get older they can maintain things. 

Yes, I get the overhead game as I am in business but not earthmoving as my grandfather and dad were. Funny how things work out. I made more money at the end of the month as a union operator when I was 20 than I do now and that is after 9 years of college. The insurance, taxes and all the other things make it tough. 

I was a little off on the price for the seals. General gear has them. part #073763, the small outer is 94.00 and the 073762 large inner is 124.00, total 218.00 for both. it was the turning clutch bearing I was thinking of. damn old timers memory. sorry for the confusion. once on general gear click on steering clutch.com link and that is where to find them. they are the same company.