A complete guide to our range of components.
When it comes to heavy machinery, the undercarriage is more than just a set of components—it’s the backbone that supports efficiency, durability, and performance in your project. Whether you’re in construction or agriculture, understanding and investing in the right undercarriage components is crucial for maximising productivity and minimizing downtime.
Choosing the Right Components
Selecting the appropriate undercarriage components is not just about matching the specifications of your machine. Factors such as operating conditions, terrain type, and expected usage play crucial roles in determining which components will offer the best performance and durability. Here’s why investing in quality undercarriage components matters:
- Durability and Longevity: High-quality components withstand wear and tear, extending the lifespan of your machine.
- Performance: Optimal undercarriage components enhance traction, stability, and manoeuvrability, especially on challenging terrains.
- Reduced Downtime: Reliable components mean fewer breakdowns and maintenance intervals, maximising uptime and productivity.
Factors Influencing Undercarriage Life
The lifespan and wear of undercarriage systems depend on several key variables, categorized into three main groups:
- Controllable Variables: These factors can be managed directly and include track tension, shoe width, machine balance, and component alignment.
- Non-Controllable Variables: Determined entirely by the underfoot operation conditions, such as impact, abrasiveness, moisture, terrain, and machine application.
- Partially Controllable Variables: Influenced by machine operator actions or habits, like uneven load distribution during operation or aggressive turning.
Understanding each element within these groups is crucial for machinery owners and operators. It not only helps explain past wear issues but also predicts future outcomes when conditions change.
Controllable Variables
Identifying and regulating these variables can significantly impact the wear-life of undercarriage components and track systems. The main controllable factors are:
Track Adjustment (Tension/Sag): Improper track tension can substantially increase bushing wear rates and is a common factor identified post early failure. For detailed guidance on adjusting track tension and other maintenance procedures, refer to specific machine service manuals.
Track Shoe Width: Choosing the right shoe width affects track system wear-life greatly. Whilst wider shoes offer increased flotation and traction in soft conditions, wider shoes will affect the following:
- Shoe Structural Life As shoe width increases, so does bending stress. This can lead to issues like cracking, bending, and loosening of hardware. The rule of thumb is to opt for the narrowest shoe that provides sufficient flotation and traction without causing excessive track slippage.
- Track Link-Roller-Idler Wear Life Increased shoe width results in higher wear rates on link rail sides, roller flanges, and idler flanges due to increased twisting forces.
- Pin and Bushing Wear Life wider shoes increase external bushing wear and internal wear rates due to heavier loads and twisting. In tough conditions like high impact or steep terrain, excessively wide shoes can cause pins and bushings to loosen in the link bores, leading to dry joints and preventing successful turns.
Maintenance and Care
To ensure your undercarriage performs at its best, regular maintenance is essential:
- Inspections: Regularly inspect components for wear, damage, or misalignment.
- Cleaning: Keep undercarriage components free from dirt, debris, and corrosive materials.
Your machine’s undercarriage is not just a collection of parts; it’s a sophisticated system designed to support the heavy demands of industrial operations. By understanding the role of each component—from track chains to sprockets—and investing in quality, you’re not only enhancing the efficiency and durability of your equipment but also optimising your overall operational costs.
Choose wisely, invest in quality, and watch your productivity soar.
