There are various types of heavy tracked equipment such as excavators, crawlers, etc., which consists of many components both moving and static. These parts require regular maintained so that they are in a condition to function well. Especially the undercarriage and its parts go through the most wear and tear, and if these don’t get routine inspection and maintenance, it can not only cost huge amounts of money as well as valuable time. In repairing or replacement rubber tracks for excavators huge costisincurred and if they are not replaced and installed properly they again cause issue for future.
Here are some tips to maintain the excavator undercarriage:
- CLEAN THE UNDERCARRIAGE
When the workday ends, the operators of the excavator should make sure to take out time daily to clean out debris and dirt, if not removed, these lead to undercarriage buildup. To clean the undercarriage use pressure washers and shovels.
The premature wear of components can be reduced with routine cleaning of the components. Especially when the excavators are working in cold climate areas.Debris also adds weight to the undercarriage, which thus leads to more fuel consumption.
- ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE
Heavy machines like excavators need a routine inspection specially the undercarriage to keep a check on any excessive wear and tear. It also helps in looking for any missing or damaged components or parts.
In the routine inspection, these following items need to be inspected:
- Rock guards
- Drive sprockets
- Drive motor
- Track chains
- Track bolts
- Track tension
- Track shoes
- Main idlers and rollers
The operators also must check the tracks so that if there are any components out of place, which can be either a broken track pin or a loose track pad, they can be checked and managed. They should also check and inspect idlers, drivers and rollers for any failed seal to avoid issues like oil leakage.
- PROPER MAINTENANCE OF THE TRACK TENSION
Every wrong track tension leads to increase in track wear, which makes it very important to stick to proper, maintained track tension. For example, a general rule can be that when working in soft and muddy conditions, run on slightly loose tracks.
- FOR SENSITIVE SURFACES USE RUBBER TRACKS
For smaller excavators there are rubber tracks available. These tracks are excellent for various usage and in numerous applications such as allowing excavators to work on soft and muddy ground,travelling across such ground conditionsand providing good flotation. The best part if you can get replacement rubber tracks for excavators, if they get damaged or are badly worn. These tracks on finished surfaces such as asphalt, grass or concrete provide minimal ground disturbance.
- STICK TO PROPER DIGGING PROCESS
Excavator operators have a basic procedure for operating the excavators and the must adhere to it.
The track if worn and torn badly and are to be replaced the major part of it is taken by the undercarriage.And the components are also very expensive. Thus by maintaining the undercarriage a lot of cost and time can be saved and the life of the tracks can also be extended.
