I have been asked recently about replacing Matchbox Caterpillar Tracks on the small Matchbox 1 to 75 model 18 and the larger equivalent Matchbox King Size K-3 bull dozers.
The issue is that these models were fitted with bull-dozer blades that were attached with the axle pins. The axle pins were crimped or flattened at the end to retain the axle and the wheels etc, in the body of the model. This crimping process was done with a machine press and flattening hard steel rod requires a lot of pressure.
When replacing Matchbox Caterpillar Tracks or similar models we need to allow for the fact that most of us do not have the correct equipment.
There are a couple of methods, depending on how capable and keen you are. The most obvious issue is that the axles must be modified to separate the blade from the body and allow the tracks to be fitted.
Thinking outside that square, some people have cut the tracks, wrapped them around the wheels and then glued them up with o-ring cement or similar. I personally have had no success in testing this method. The glue always gives way in a short period of time. However, this is a solution that requires minimal tools and if successful means no risk of damage to the model.
The most intrusive but easiest method of removing the axles, is to use a Dremel type tool with a thin cutting disk and cut the two axles in the centre of the axle length under the middle of the body, disassemble, re-assemble and use some fine tubing as a sheath over the axle halves to rejoin them. That way you are not altering the outside ends of the axles so the presentation display aspects of the model are retained. However, the downside is that looking underneath will reveal the change which may or may not be an issue for your collection.
The more difficult but perhaps less invasive process is to take the crimped end of the axle and file down the flared section from the axle rod face (not the end of the axle) so that the crimped section no longer stops the axles pulling through. Do not shorten the length of the axle, the idea here is that the flared section simply has the retaining flare reduced so that the axle can be removed and retain enough metal to crimp them again when finishing.
When re-assembling you can use anything that provides a decent crimping grip and pressure. You should only need to flare / crimp the previously crimped section a little to make it wide enough to stop it from pulling out. Remember that the originals were done in a machine shop with anything up to a tonne of pressure, so its not really easy but it can be effective.
RecoverToy has tracks to suit Matchbox tracked tractors and graders:
- Matchbox 1 to 75 model 8 Caterpillar Tractor and model 18 Caterpillar Bulldozer early a or b issue in Green, Grey, or Black.
(measure distance between axle centres as approx 24mm or 15/16″) - Matchbox 1 to 75 model 8 Caterpillar Tractor and model 18 Caterpillar Bulldozer later c or d issue in Green or Black.
(measure distance between axle centres as approx 29mm or 1 1/8″) Also suits 16 Big Bull and 58 Drott Excavator. - Matchbox KingSize K 3, K 8, & K 17 Caterpillar models in Green or Black.
RecoverToy stocks reproduction replacement tracks or treads for Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys, Matchbox Toys and other antique toy manufacturers.
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