Excavator Undercarriage Maintenance Tips

There are specific maintenance tasks that keep an excavator's undercarriage in good condition. Keeping up with undercarriage maintenance can help optimize the excavator's performance, extend the lifespan of the equipment, and even help reduce repairs and parts replacements.

1. Check the Track Tension

The excavator's operations manual should provide information about the ideal track tension. Too loose and wear on the bushings and sprockets can speed up. Too tight and it can speed up wear on the undercarriage.

But before you check the tension, run the excavator for about 30 minutes. This helps the equipment acclimate to the working conditions first, which helps you more accurately adjust the track tension.

Be sure to check the track tension every 10 to 15 hours of use. It can also be helpful to adjust the track tension to better match the given terrain, such as looser tracks in muddy conditions and tighter tracks for firm ground conditions.

2. Clean the Excavator Undercarriage

It's easy to forget about cleaning the excavator's undercarriage. But it gets dirty quickly, which can cause issues such as increased parts wear and blocking your view when inspecting the equipment.

Simply use a shovel or pressure washer to clean out the excavator undercarriage. Try to do this at the end of each work day. The more time between cleanings, the harder it will be to clear out the gunk.

3. Inspect the Excavator Regularly

After about 1,000 to 2,000 hours of use, inspect the excavator. Those who use their excavator in tough conditions will want to conduct inspections more often.

First, look out for uneven wear or wear happening faster than it should. This is often a sign of a problem that needs an expert opinion.

Second, look for damaged parts that need to be replaced.

Third, inspect the rollers, idlers, and drives for oil leakage. This can signal a failed seal that can cause future failure of various parts down the road.

Fourth, check the track and look for any parts that are out of place. This can indicate a loose trackpad or a broken track pin.

4. Get Maintenance Problems Addressed Quickly

Even the highest quality excavators can eventually run into maintenance issues. As soon as you discover a problem, schedule a service department appointment. Continuing to use a compromised piece of equipment can result in extensive damage to the excavator and puts you at risk of an accident.

Here at Stribling Equipment, we strive to make your life easier. We gathered up excavator undercarriage maintenance tasks that owners can tackle. If you need professional maintenance help or want to shop excavators for sale, visit our dealership. We are located throughout Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.