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The Wagner Review
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Spring 2015
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id you know that undercarriage repair and maintenance can be as much as 50 percent of your
machine’s maintenance cost over the life of the machine? While undercarriage maintenance is not
complicated, track machines, which have much better flotation than wheel machines, can be managed so
that the undercarriage life is optimized and owning and operating costs are reduced.
Ways to Improve
WAGNER EQUIPMENT CO.
Carefully match the machine
to job conditions
Compact machine selection and configuration
play big roles in the life of an undercarriage
system. For example, a track machine configured
with a narrow shoe in highly abrasive, wet
conditions will not provide adequate flotation.
This situation will increase the amount of
material circulating through the undercarriage
system and accelerate wear on all
undercarriage components. In this case, a wider
track shoe will provide better system wear life.
An example for a rubber track machine
would be using a Multi Terrain Loader in an
application where the underfoot conditions
consist of small aggregate that can get stuck
in the undercarriage system, which consists
primarily of rubber. In this case, a compact track
loader with a steel-embedded rubber track along
with steel components would be a better match.
Consider operator technique
Practicing good operating techniques will
increase undercarriage life. In general, it is
best to avoid sharp turns, counter rotations,
constant side-slope work and high-speed
reverse. All of these greatly increase
undercarriage wear and should be avoided
whenever possible.
Conduct daily inspections
Good maintenance practices, along with proper
operating techniques, significantly reduce
wear and tear on any undercarriage system.
Daily machine walk-around inspections are
essential for identifying irregularities in machine
appearance, possible leaks, loose hardware
and improperly tensioned tracks. Proper track
tension is critical to all undercarriage styles. In
general, tracks that are too tight can accelerate
wear and compromise seal integrity; tracks that
are too loose can cause unnecessary wear
on track frames. The undercarriage should be
cleaned out every day, and even more often
when material packing is a factor. Additionally,
Wagner Equipment Co. can perform a Custom
Track Service (CTS) inspection on any Cat track
machine.
For more information about extending undercarriage life and minimizing your maintenance and repair costs, contact your Wagner Equipment Co. Rep today.
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Undercarriage Life
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Three tips can help you manage wear, maximize track life and minimize repair and maintenance costs: