Excavator Tracks: Live Long and Prosper
With good maintenance, smart operating techniques and proper transporting, you can extend the life of your track and undercarriage on a mini excavator. Prior to fitting your new track, check your drive system components such as the sprockets, rollers and idlers. These may need replacing too. Wear and damage of undercarriage components can affect track performance and durability. The most important controllable factor is track adjustment. Improper adjustment accelerates wear, which can increase downtime and repair costs. Don’t forget that each machine varies so please refer to your owner’s guide.
Track tension is a big issue that must be monitored daily and weekly. A quick way to check tension without having to operate the machine is to raise up on the top half of the track. If the track can rise up about ½ to ¾ of an inch and knock on the carrier roller, then the track is tensioned properly. If the track cannot be raised by hand, the track is too tight. Conversely, if the track is too loose, then the track can derail. When a track derails, the sprocket can cut into the track and damage the steel cords causing track failure.
Operational Tips: Limit Non-Productive High-Speed Travel: High-speed operation accelerates wear on all undercarriage and track components. Track wear is directly proportional to speed. Speed equals stress. The distance a track machine travels determines wear. Plan your jobsite and work carefully to make travel productive.
Limit Reverse Operation: Reverse operation accelerates wear on the reverse-drive side of the track links and sprocket teeth. The only time track links rotate against sprocket teeth under load is in reverse operation.
Reduce Slippage and Spinning: Track slippage and spinning accelerates track pad wear and limits productive work. Heavy contact between the track links and sprocket teeth, rollers and idler tread surfaces accelerates wear.
Plan Your Turns: Constantly turning to one side will reduce the life of the track. The sprocket teeth, track links idler, roller flanges and tread surface on the side under load will wear faster. Plan your job to even out turns, if possible.
Clean Undercarriages Frequently: Prevent packing of soil and debris in undercarriage components by cleaning out the track as frequently as possible. Packing prevents the proper engagement between the mating components such as sprocket teeth and track links. This can cause increased loads on undercarriage components and higher wear rates.
Operate with the Terrain: Plan your jobs and the movement of your machine to fit the terrain. Minimize travel over transitions, dips, uneven ground, curbs, holes or areas where a level surface turns into a slope. Work directly up or down a slope.
Alignment Checks: Track frame and front idler misalignment will accelerate wear on all components. You can check for alignment by observing the wear patterns on the bottom rollers, carrier rollers and front idlers. You can also stand at the front and rear of the machine and do a visual inspection. See your machine’s manual for specific adjustment procedures.
Proper Storage: When storing for a long time, keep tracks indoors away from direct sunlight and rain.
Maureen Maxted is a product specialist with Rubbertrax Inc., based in Conyers, Ga.
