Undercarriage parts correct use and maintenance

Undercarriage components include track rollers, carrier rollers, idler, sprocket and track shoe assembly. As components required for normal excavator operation, they are linked to the excavator's working and travel performance. When in operation for any length of time, these components undergo a certain degree of wear and tear. If you take a few minutes to perform daily maintenance on these parts, you can extend their service life. What do you know about undercarriage maintenance?

Track roller

In everyday work, you must try to avoid prolonged immersion of the track roller in mud and water. If this can't be avoided, one side of the track roller can be raised after the job is done, and dirt, gravel and other debris can be ejected from its surface by activating the travel motor.

Keep the track roller as dry as possible after daily operations, especially in winter. As there is a floating seal between the track roller and the shaft, water freezing overnight can damage the seal, leading to oil leaks.

Carrier roller

It's essential to ensure that the area around the carrier rollers remains free of excessive dirt and debris. Regular cleaning is not just a question of maintenance, it's a preventive measure to keep your machine running smoothly.

If you notice that the carrier rollers can no longer turn, it's imperative to stop working to avoid further damage or potential safety hazards. Once the machine has stopped, a thorough cleaning must be undertaken to remove any obstructions that may have caused the problem, in order to restore the equipment to optimum operating condition.

Idler roller

The idler of an undercarriage system plays a crucial role in the functionality and efficiency of heavy machinery. The idler helps maintain correct track tension, preventing tracks from becoming too loose or too tight, which can lead to track misalignment or excessive wear. The idler also absorbs shocks, contributing to the machine's overall stability and smoothness. By ensuring constant track tension and alignment, the idler is a key element in the undercarriage's ability to provide reliable mobility in different terrain and working conditions.

sprocket

Its function is to transfer rotational power from the drive motor to the track. The teeth of the sprocket hook onto the chain links and propel it either forwards or backwards, enabling the vehicle to move. This interaction enables precise control of the vehicle's movement. The design of the sprocket enables it to maintain track tension and alignment, which is essential for the smooth operation and longevity of the undercarriage system.

Track shoes assembly

The track shoe assembly consists mainly of two parts: the track links and the track shoes. Different working conditions result in a different degree of wear of the track shoes, with plate wear being the most significant in mining.

This assembly provides traction and stability, enabling the vehicle to travel on a wide range of surfaces. The choice of track shoe type depends on site conditions and the desired balance between traction and ground disturbance. The track shoes support the weight of the machine, absorb shocks and contribute to the overall smoothness driveability of heavy machines.