ForConstructionPros.com

"To maximize the life of undercarriage components, track chain tension should be maintained within the machine specifications at all times," stresses Tony den Hoed, marketing communications and product launch specialist, excavators, Volvo. For Volvo machines, three different adjustments are allowed for various conditions: hard, smooth ground; medium ground; and soft ground.

Keep an eye on track components
The rollers, idlers, springs, chains and sprockets should work as one entity. For example, the front wheel might not be in perfect alignment with the rollers. Rather, it may be twisted or tilted, and the chain won't follow in a straight line. At that point, you will get uneven component wear. "Usually, the heavier the machine, the greater the risk of misalignments," notes Bottin.

Have your dealer check the alignment when it's serviced. As the excavator ages, you should also have the dealer check to ensure the chain maintains proper guidance within the undercarriage.

"You don't want it to go outside of the roller or the idler," says Bottin. "You essentially have steel working against steel or cast iron. When they rub against each other, the guides will wear. If they're too worn, they lose their function and need to be replaced. You will also want to pay extra attention to them if you're working in rock or demolition, because these guides can be damaged and may not provide the proper alignment and guidance for the rest of the undercarriage."

Also keep an eye on lubricated components. Although some are sealed for the life of the undercarriage, periodically check for leaks since they can cause long and expensive machine downtime. Components that aren't life-sealed will require more frequent checks of the oil level of rollers and idlers.