While there is no such thing as a “typical job”, having a good understanding of the environment a machine will work in and the types of jobs it will encounter should inform the purchase decision. Owners and operators should always plan ahead – and that includes before the machine is even purchased. Gauging this pace of wear over time will give the equipment owner insight into the life expectancy and wear patterns of the undercarriage. Measure the bushings and rollers and, if these components have been reduced to 85 percent of their original diameter, rotate them 180 degrees. We recommend setting a benchmark – based on the type of environment the machine is engaged in – to measure the undercarriage. Misalignment problems will affect more of the undercarriage components than any other cause of wear, such as the track links, idler flanges, track and carrier roller flanges, sprockets and rock guards.īonus: Equipment owners can better tackle undercarriage costs and needs if they know where they are in the life of their undercarriage. Optional covers and guards are available to help keep the undercarriage clean.įour: Correct track alignment is also required to prevent wear of the undercarriage components. This is particularly important in northern climates where material can freeze inside the track during the winter months. At the end of a workday, operators should clean out any mud or debris from the undercarriage. Three: Another important aspect for owners and operators is keeping the undercarriage clean. Material will pack on the undercarriage parts and cause the tracks to become too tight. When working in mud, snow and sandy conditions, the track tension should be checked more often. If conditions change throughout the day, it would be wise to check track tension as the machine settles into that new working environment. Track tension should be checked daily, with the sag adjusted to the OEM-recommended measurement for each machine. ![]() Rubber tracks that are too loose can de-track, leading to a damaged track and extensive downtime. For rubber tracked machines and applications, tracks that are too tight can stretch or break, with the addition of excessive roller and idler wear. If a track is too loose, it can create instability and potentially cause the tracks to derail – while also causing wear on other components of the undercarriage. A track that is too tight also robs the machine of its power as it actually takes more effort to turn the track. When steel tracks are too tight, it creates added load on areas of specific contact, such as the bushing to the tooth at the sprocket, the chain link to the roller, and the idler to the chain – all which can accelerate component wear. Two: one of the most important things to monitor is proper track tension, ideally while the machine is in actual working conditions. Clearance between the track chain and idler roller too narrow? Are the drive sprockets particularly sharp? Track pads damaged? These and other wear issues are indicative of a larger problem, or can lead to additional wear, and should be immediately addressed. One: operators should perform daily inspections of their machine’s undercarriage, looking for excessive or uneven wear and damaged or missing components. Undercarriage monitoring and upkeep is critical, and there are four important practices an equipment owner can engage in to extend undercarriage life. Please consult with your local heavy equipment dealer/service outfit before performing extensive work on your undercarriage. Proper operation and maintenance play a critical role in controlling operating costs over the life of the machine.Īuthor’s note: this article is meant as a reference for key best practices. It’s also the mechanism that gives tracked machines much of their power and stability. With dozers, approximately 20 percent of the purchase price and 50 percent of the maintenance cost sits in its undercarriage. The undercarriage also represents a high percentage of the total operating cost of the machine over its life. The only a time a machine’s undercarriage is not experiencing wear is when it’s standing still – and machines that stand still don’t make money. Undercarriage maintenance and upkeep is not a short-term effort. ![]() ![]() ![]() The undercarriage of a machine represents a significant portion of the equipment’s purchase price, so protecting it is crucial for success.
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