H3 Track Wear

There was also a metal track gauge that was available at one time.  Coke or Cal may have posted one in past forum messages.  HTH's Orangeman

I am not certain what type of template would be needed to stick weld the chain to build it up.  But it was done as a technique during WW II. Both Lincoln and Caterpillar had guides on doing this.  

Let us know how you proceed.   Orangeman

The total weight of all eight weights came to approximately 1006 pounds.  Please note that any H-3 with the 1066 loader that does not have proper counterweight in the back will likely cause the rear end to tip when the bucket is loaded full, (dirt, gravel or stone).

Why is this point important? 

Well for two reasons.  The first is that the dead load that is created by a bucket full of material must be transferred to some fixed point.  On a crawler loader normally the front idler cross shaft takes up this dead load, along with the idler, frame and rollers.  Distributing weight across more of the bottom rollers is better from a wear standpoint.  So a crawler loader minus the appropriate weight in the back to act as a counterbalance causes the machine to act like a rocking horse fore and aft -which sets up undue wear in the front portions of the U/C.  With the appropriate counter weights this effect was less. 

Secondly, the Allis C frame design which carries the machines and loaded bucket weight was not, (opinion) built heavy enough to take up the many dead loads that were placed against the weakest point on the C frame.  That point exist on the C channel directly behind the idler wheel and where the gusseting begins that communicates between the two halves of the frame.  I have looked at well over 15 H-3's in the past 20 years and of those 15 only one did not have a crack or the beginning of a crack in this location. This machine had been used within its design parameters and had been welled cared for - one owner - one operator machine.   Every machine that had a crack at this location had a weld repair on it to strengthen the C channel frame.    

Nonetheless, with this area repaired  with a good weld and an appropriately sized reinforcement which transfers the stress moments over a greater distance of the frame the repair generally held up well.  If you were to compare and H-3 frame to that of an HD-5 or HD-6 you will see exactly what I am referring to with respect to the strength of the C - Channel.  The comparison though is a bit unfair because the H-3 was intended for the light  industrial market while the HD-5 and HD-6 were targeted to the construction machinery line and the H-3 size and weight was less the either the HD5 or HD6.  

Had the H-3 designed incorporated the HD5/6 bottom we would have had even more interchangeability  for parts for these good old crawlers.  

Hope this provides some insights and help on your decision.  Don't be scared off by a small crack in the frame but if you intend to use the loader plan to find the rear counterweight group.  Good Luck - Orangeman