Undercarriage Inspections & Life-Cycle Management
The undercarriage is one of the most critical and costly components of your tracked equipment, accounting for up to 50% of total maintenance costs over the life of a machine. Proper undercarriage inspections and proactive life-cycle management can dramatically extend the life of your equipment and reduce overall operating costs.
At Wheeler Machinery Co., our Undercarriage Inspections help you track wear rates, identify maintenance needs, and take action to maximize the life of your undercarriage.
The Importance of Undercarriage Maintenance
Life-cycle management is a proactive approach to tracking and managing the wear of undercarriage components. This involves regular inspections, tracking wear rates, and scheduling maintenance services at the right intervals to maximize component life and minimize downtime.
Benefits of Life-Cycle Management:
- Reduce Total Cost of Ownership: Extends the life of undercarriage components and reduces long-term maintenance costs.
- Minimize Downtime: Proactive maintenance prevents unexpected failures that can lead to costly downtime.
- Improve Machine Performance: A well-maintained undercarriage ensures optimal traction, stability, and fuel efficiency.
What’s Included in an Undercarriage Inspection?
Our technicians perform a comprehensive undercarriage inspection that includes:
- Measuring Track Tension: Ensures the track is properly tensioned to avoid unnecessary wear.
- Checking Bushings and Links: Tracks wear on bushings and links to prevent costly repairs.
- Inspecting Track Shoes: Look for cracks, bends, and uneven wear patterns.
- Evaluating Idlers, Rollers, and Sprockets: Ensures these components are in good condition and aligned properly.
- Recording Wear Rates: Documents wear rates and provide a detailed report to help you plan for future maintenance.
5 Key Maintenance Services to Maximize Undercarriage Life
Proactive undercarriage maintenance can significantly reduce costs and extend the life of your equipment. Key services such as turning bushings, adjusting track tension, and inspecting sprockets and rollers help prevent excessive wear and unexpected downtime. Regular care ensures your undercarriage operates at peak performance, keeping your machines productive and your operating costs low.
One of the most effective ways to extend the life of your undercarriage is by turning the bushings at the right time. Bushings wear unevenly, and turning them before they are completely worn through can double the life of your track chains.
- When to Turn Bushings: Typically, bushings should be turned when they show 50-70% wear to prevent costly replacement.
- Benefits: Reduces chain wear, improves track performance, and lowers long-term maintenance costs.
Proper care of track shoes can prevent damage to the undercarriage system. This includes replacing damaged shoes, checking for loose bolts, and ensuring the correct shoe width for the application.
- Tip: Using wider shoes in soft ground conditions can reduce wear on rollers and tracks.
Proper track tension is essential to minimize wear on the track chain, sprockets, and idlers. Tracks that are too loose can lead to de-tracking, while tracks that are too tight can cause excessive wear.
Tip: Adjust track tension based on operating conditions and load weight.
Regular inspections of sprockets and rollers help catch early signs of wear. Replacing sprockets before they are too worn can prevent damage to the track chain, saving you significant repair costs.
Keeping the undercarriage clean and free of debris is essential to avoid accelerated wear. Mud, rocks, and debris can cause grinding and increased friction, reducing the lifespan of components.
Why Choose Wheeler Machinery Co. for Undercarriage Maintenance?
- Specialized Technicians: Our experienced technicians are trained to inspect, repair, and maintain undercarriage systems on most equipment brands.
- Advanced Diagnostic Tools: We use cutting-edge tools to measure wear, identify issues, and recommend proactive solutions.
- Genuine Cat® Parts: We use genuine Cat parts to ensure reliability and performance.
- Comprehensive Reporting: Our inspections include a detailed wear report and recommendations for maintenance to help you plan ahead.
- Customized Maintenance Plans: We tailor maintenance schedules to fit your equipment’s specific needs and operating conditions.
- Financing Options: Financing undercarriage and repairs with the Cat® Card makes it easy and affordable to make repair decisions.
Schedule Your Undercarriage Inspection Today!
Keep your equipment running at its best with professional undercarriage inspections from Wheeler Machinery Co. Our expert team is ready to help you minimize downtime and maximize productivity.
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