The way you treat your heavy equipment construction machines affects the life of their undercarriage components. Proper machine operation and timely care are important for extending the life of the components and overall efficiency. This will also help bring down the cost of ownership. At Tornado Heavy Equipment Parts, we have some helpful tips for you to extend the lifespan of your undercarriage components. 

Importance of Undercarriage Care 

The undercarriage is an important part in all types of heavy equipment. It is not usually considered so important because the undercarriage is only a small part of the machine’s initial cost. Still, you will be surprised to realize that it stands for around 50% of your equipment’s operational and maintenance costs. So, it is important to take proper and timely care of the undercarriage components. 

1. Keep the Machine Clean 

A compact track loader or excavator doesn't get too much time to sit around idle. It is almost always busy working in dirt, mud, and rock, causing the undercarriage to get dirty. Reputed brand machines have their undercarriages and rubber tracks designed for efficient track cleanout. The design can cause the debris to fall to the ground instead of building up in the undercarriage. This helps minimize component wear and reduces the extra weight, thus contributing to an increase in fuel economy. While the machines have their design working for them, it is recommended to take the step to keep your equipment clean. Use pressure washers and/or shovels to remove any debris at the end of every day. 

2. Start Your Shifts with Clean Undercarriages 

When there is a build-up of mud and debris in the lower part of Heavy Equipment Construction Machines, there is faster wear on the components. You should start your shift only after cleaning the undercarriage area. When the job involves working on more abrasive or cohesive materials, the undercarriage will need to be cleaned multiple times during a shift. 

3. Routine Inspection of Undercarriage Components 

When you want to extend the life of your heavy duty equipment, it is recommended to regularly inspect the undercarriage for any uneven or excessive wear on the parts. You should also look for missing or damaged parts.  

The following components specifically need to be checked: 

• Drive motor & sprockets 

• Rock guards 
• Main idlers & rollers 
• Track chains 
• Track bolts 
• Track tension 

• Track shoes 

Make sure to check the tracks so that no part looks out of place. If they do, it can mean loose rubber tracks or even a damaged track pin. You should also check for any signs of oil leakage on the rollers, drives, and idlers. Oil leaks usually mean a failed seal and potentially major failure in the idlers, rollers, or track drive motors. 

4. Maintain Proper Track Tension 

Improper track tension can increase wear. So, it is important to maintain proper track tension. When you operate your machinery in muddy, soft, or sandy conditions, the tracks should be kept slightly loose. 

During operation, you should avoid spinning the tracks. Track spinning causes many issues including: 

• Reduced production 
• Reduce revenue 
• Increased fuel consumption 
• Accelerated undercarriage wear 

All this leads to cost escalation. Grouser bars are more likely to suffer from wear caused by track slippage. In fact, rubber tracks slippage increases the speed of wear on almost all parts without improving production. 

5. Choose the Right Tracks 

The track used should match your specific applications. Consider the following scenarios: 

• Choose wide rubber tracks when there is a need for lower ground pressure and flotation.  
• Choose narrow tracks you need additional traction, pushing force, and ground pressure.  

Some heavy equipment spare parts stores offer non-marking tracks so that no marks are left on a finished concrete surface. For example, Tornado Heavy Equipment Parts can help you choose the right tracks based on the application. 

6. Follow Proper Digging Procedures 

You should follow the guidelines for machinery operation and digging procedures outlined in the manual. This can help minimize the wear and degradation of the undercarriage components. The operational procedures and maintenance tips should help extend the lifespan of the parts and keep the overall cost of ownership low. 

It is further recommended to avoid unnecessary reverse operations. When a machine is operated in reverse, it increases the wear on the bushing and sprocket.  

Heavy equipment spare parts are expensive, whether they are made of rubber or steel. Besides following the above-mentioned tips, you should talk to the experts at Tornado Heavy Equipment Parts. We offer both heavy equipment spare parts and heavy equipment for sale. Our experienced and knowledgeable team can work with you to choose the right components for your machine.  

For more information about our services, feel free to contact us at 1.844.202.0123 or 1.702.202.0123 (From outside North America). You may also write to us and we will get back to you at the earliest.