Five tips to cut undercarriage costs
Undercarriage is one of the highest maintenance costs you will incur on your track type machine.
To help your undercarriage last longer and to reduce your maintenance costs per hour, always follow these tips:
1: Track adjustment
Ensure your track is not too tight, nor too loose; either will accelerate wear and decrease track life.
Always follow the manufacturer`s adjustment procedures and remember: a conventional sprocket machine`s adjustment varies from that of the elevated sprocket design.
2: Track shoe selection
Always select the correct track shoe width for the job, opting for the narrowest shoe suitable for your needs.
Too wide a shoe will cause unnecessary damage to track chains, and reduce maneuverability.
Contact your equipment distributor to assist in the correct selection for your application.
3: Operating speed
The faster you operate, the quicker your undercarriage wears.
In particular, avoid high-speed reverse travel as this will dramatically increase wear factors on track bushings and sprockets.
Select high-range travel speeds only when necessary.
4: Turning
If you usually turn only to one side, be aware that wear will dramatically increase on that side.
Track links, roller and idler flanges are subjected to undue loads in this situation.
If it is not possible to alternate the work loads and excessive wear on one side is occurring, extend your track life by rotating your undercarriage components.
5: Track inspections
For peace of mind and to improve your undercarriage cost per hour, it is good management to have a complete undercarriage appraisal performed at regular intervals.
Contact your nearest Komatsu Australia branch and take advantage of our expertise -- it could save you money and unnecessary downtime.