Track Loader Undercarriage Service & Maintenance Guide
The sturdy tracks on which a compact track loader rides give you the ability to operate in places that can’t be accessed by other machines, especially when you’re working in muddy, slick, or wet weather conditions. With all the heavy-duty work tackled by these machines, you can't prevent all wear and tear. However, you can take some proactive steps to extend the life of your machine’s components.
We've gathered up the following maintenance tips to help you take proper care of your track loader’s undercarriage. If you want more advice or you want to explore some top-quality compact track loaders for sale, get in touch with us at FMI Equipment in Spokane Valley, Washington.
Consult Your Owner's Manual
The first step in any maintenance task is to read your model’s owner’s manual. While we can give you a few tips that will apply broadly to most track loaders, the only way to know what kind of maintenance checks your particular model requires is to consult the owner’s manual. There are usually sections on how to take care of the tracks and undercarriage. Give your owner's manual a quick read to see if the manufacturer offers any recommendations.
Avoid Quick Turns & Spinning
It may be tempting to move your track loader quickly for the sake of efficiency. However, those quick movements can result in material buildup on the outer edge of the tracks. A better approach is to do three-point turns that are wider. This will take more time, but it will also extend the life of the parts. You should also avoid spinning the tracks, especially on abrasive surfaces. Spinning can result in cuts in the rubber and it can also damage the undercarriage.
Frequently Inspect Your Track Loader
It’s important to perform regular inspections to extend the life of the tracks. Catching issues early on helps prevent them from snowballing into more serious problems that will require costly repairs. If you work in muddy or abrasive conditions, you will want to do inspections more often. Look for problems such as cuts, punctures, or tears in the tracks. You'll also want to check the track tension. A loose track increases the risk of derailment. On the other hand, a track that’s too tight can accelerate wear on bearings, wheels, and sprockets due to the increased friction.
Keep the Tracks Clean
A dirty compact track loader may sound like a simple issue. However, caked-on muck can make it harder to spot issues. Additionally, debris can get caught in between components of the undercarriage and lead to damage. Regularly clean your track loader to prevent this. Try to wash the tracks daily after you’ve completed your work. This will clean away any abrasive materials, such as gravel and mud. After you’ve finished washing, remember to lubricate the moving parts to keep them running smoothly.
Make Adjustments
Different work sites will have different obstacles and challenges. Stay aware of your surroundings as you operate your compact track loader. You may need to adjust your load or change how you drive based on the surface you are on. For example, there are places where there is a quick change in the slope or elevation. Driving over them can result in stress that leads to track derailment or causes damage to the undercarriage. Try to avoid going across a slope as much as possible.
Abrasive surfaces built out of materials, such as asphalt or concrete, can damage the inside of the track and undercarriage components You may want to place dirt or sand on the surface, which will help make your compact track loader easier to turn. When you finish the job, you can simply clean up the materials.
We hope you found this guide useful! If you need more information or you want to get your compact track loader’s undercarriage serviced, feel free to give us a call or visit FMI Equipment in Spokane Valley, WA. We also have a wide selection of track loaders for sale, so it will be easy for you to find the machines you need to tackle your heavy-duty tasks. We proudly serve all those in Spokane, WA, and Coeur d’Alene, ID.