Your track adjuster serves two important functions on your machine – it keeps proper tension in your tracks and prevents undue force from being applied to your delicate (and expensive) final drive. More than 50% of excavator maintenance happens in the undercarriage. By paying attention to your track adjusters and track tension, you can save a lot of money. So, let’s jump into what you can do to save a bunch of cash.
1) Keep a Clean Undercarriage
This task is no fun which explains why very few operators do it but making sure your track adjuster is not full of dirt and mud will extend its life.
2) Routinely Inspect Your Track Adjuster
First, look at the recoil springs and make sure they aren’t broken, warped, or cracked. A sudden break in a recoil spring can be dangerous as they are under pressure and even though your machine might seem like it's working fine with a broken spring, it's actually lost an important safety component for other parts. Next, inspect grease valves and seals. If grease is leaking out of the cylinder it's a clear sign the seal is failing and though the failure might seem small at first it can lead to a larger loss of tension and sudden and dangerous troubles in your track.
3) Match Your Track Tension to Your Working Environment
When the excavator is working on hard ground, the track needs to be adjusted slightly tighter, so as to avoid the track from being too long, colliding with the lower frame, and causing wear. When the excavator is working on soft ground, it is best to adjust the track loosely, because this working condition is easy to adhere to the soil on the chain link and crawler, which can reduce the abnormal pressure of the soil on the chain link. When adjusting the tightness of the track, do not adjust it too loosely or too tightly. It must be moderate. If the track is too tight, it will affect the walking speed and walking power, and it will increase the amount of wear between various components. A Loose, slack track will cause a lot of wear on the driving wheel and drag sprocket.
4) Test Your Track Tensioner
If your machine works day after day in the same site and nothing much changes that would need track adjustments, you should still periodically use your track tensioner to tighten and then loosen your track. Routine use will allow you to be sure nothing has seized, watch to make sure movements are smooth and fluid and your piston isn’t stuck or bent, and ensure your grease valves take grease. Every excavator will need to have its track adjusted sometimes and routinely ensuring your track spring assembly works properly at all times is a simple way of making sure when that day comes it's up to the job.
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