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Tracked Undercarriage Maintenance Infographic FNL 56e9dead5f551
The chassis of crawler-type heavy equipment such as crawler excavators consists of many moving parts that require maintenance to function properly. Failure to regularly inspect and maintain your landing gear can easily cost you valuable time and money and potentially shorten the life of your track.

Tip 1: Keep the chassis clean
At the end of each workday, the excavator operator should take the time to clean up dirt and other debris that may have caused the chassis to build up. A shovel and pressure washer can be used to help clean the landing gear.
If the undercarriage is not cleaned regularly, it will accelerate premature component wear. This is especially true in cooler climates.

“If operators neglect to clean the landing gear and work in cooler climates, mud, dirt and debris can freeze,” Reardon said. “Once the material freezes, it starts rubbing on the bolts, loosening the guides and jamming the rollers, leading to potential wear down the road. Cleaning the landing gear helps prevent unnecessary downtime.”
Additionally, debris can add weight to the landing gear, reducing fuel economy.
Many manufacturers now offer landing gear designed to make cleaning the track carriers easier, helping debris fall to the ground rather than build up in the track system.

Tip 2: Check the Landing Gear Regularly
It is important to complete a full inspection of the chassis for excessive or uneven wear and to look for damaged or missing parts. According to Reardon, if the machine is used in harsh applications or other challenging conditions, the landing gear may need to be inspected more frequently.
The following items should be checked regularly:
motor
drive sprocket
Main idler and idler
rock guard
track bolt
crawler chain
running shoes
Track tension
During routine machine tours, the operator should inspect the track to see if any components appear out of place. If so, this could indicate a loose track pad or possibly a broken track pin. In addition, the rollers, idlers and drives should be checked for oil leakage. These oil leaks can indicate seal failure, which can lead to major failure of the rollers, idlers or track drive motors.
Always follow the manufacturer's operation and maintenance manual for proper chassis maintenance.

Tip 3: Follow basic best practices
Certain construction site tasks cause more wear on excavator tracks and undercarriage than other applications, so operators must follow manufacturer-recommended operating procedures.
According to Reardon, some tips to help reduce track and chassis wear include:
Make wider turns: Sharp turns or spinning the machine can cause accelerated wear and increase the chance of derailment.
Minimize time on slopes: Continued running in one direction on a slope or hill will accelerate wear. However, many applications require slope or hillside work. When moving the machine up and downhill, make sure the drive motor is in the correct position to reduce track wear. According to Reardon, the drive motor should face the rear of the machine for easy operation on slopes or hills.
Avoid harsh environments: Rough asphalt or concrete or other abrasive materials can damage the track.
Reduce Unnecessary Spins: Train your operators to make wider and less aggressive turns. Track rotation causes wear and reduces productivity.
Choose the correct shoe width: Choose the correct shoe width based on machine weight and application. For example, narrower excavator shoes are better for hard soil and rock conditions because they have better soil penetration and grip. Wide excavator shoes generally work well in soft foot conditions because they have more buoyancy and lower ground pressure.
Choosing the Right Teeth: Consider the application before choosing the number of tines per shoe. Single or dual grousers may work well when laying pipes, but may not work well in other applications. In general, the more teeth a track has, the more contact the track has with the ground, less vibration, and longer track life when operating in more abrasive conditions.

Tip 4: Maintain proper track tension
Incorrect track tension can lead to increased track wear, so it is important to stick to the proper tension. As a general rule, when your operators are working in soft, muddy conditions, it is advisable to run the track a little looser.

"If the rail is too tight or too loose, it can quickly accelerate wear," Reardon said. "A loose track can cause the track to go off track."

Tip 5: Consider rubber tracks for sensitive surfaces
Rubber tracks are available for small excavators, and these models excel in a variety of applications. Most notably, the rubber tracks provide good flotation, allowing the excavator to traverse and work in soft ground conditions. Rubber tracks have minimal ground disturbance to finished surfaces such as concrete, grass or asphalt.

Tip 6: Stick to Proper Mining Procedures
Excavator operators should follow basic operating procedures outlined in the manufacturer's operation and maintenance manual to minimize excessive wear and track degradation.
Landing gears account for a significant portion of track replacement costs. It consists of expensive components. Following these six landing gear maintenance tips along with proper track maintenance can help reduce total cost of ownership and extend track life.

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