Understanding the condition of your heavy machinery’s undercarriage parts is crucial for ensuring its optimal performance. Not only does this identify issues before they become overly costly, it will prevent the loss of efficiency and output for your business.

In this article, we will identify key indicators that undercarriage parts may require replacement, helping to increase the longevity of your heavy machinery equipment.

Importance of regular undercarriage maintenance

Why should you be regularly maintaining your heavy machinery undercarriage parts?

The undercarriage of a heavy machinery vehicle is essentially the foundation of its operations. Providing traction and stability in unforgiving landscapes, the undercarriage is consistently exposed to significant wear and tear.

Proactive undercarriage maintenance will aid in preventing unexpected downtime of the machinery, affecting production output. Substantial damage or wear on undercarriage parts that haven’t been identified early may require a costly replacement.

Not to mention, a consistent maintenance routine will extend the lifespan of your heavy machinery vehicle. This should include routine inspection, lubrication, and component replacement as and when required. This way, you will maximise the efficiency and return on investment of your costly machinery.

The undercarriage can amount to around 20% of the price of new machinery – its important to maintain it well.

Signs of undercarriage wear

We’ve put together a list of the most important signs of undercarriage wear to look out for that may warrant replacement.

1. Exterior track damage – damage to the exterior track, often from rough terrain, can appear as cuts, tears, or missing gouges of track surface.

2. Worn sprockets – worn out sprockets can indicate the need for rubber track replacement. Worn sprockets can exhibit sharp or hooked edges, or show signs of derailing.

3. Too much or too little tension – rubber tracks can stretch over time, losing tension. Often, tracks may be overtightened to accommodate, but this can be just as damaging.

4. Uneven tread depth – uneven tread depth can create uneven weight distribution and increased stress on various components of the undercarriage.

5. Track misalignment – misaligned tracks can cause excessive vibration and accelerate track wear.

6. Roller flange wear – worn roller flanges can lead to improper track tension. Look out for worn edges on the sides of the track rollers.

Undercarriage component damage

Component damage, such as the following, will require immediate replacement to protect the integrity of the heavy machinery vehicle:

1. Track link breakage – can be caused by prolonged wear or insufficient lubrication. Track link breaks can compromise the integrity of the entire track system.

2. Cracked/bent components – bent rollers or idlers can impact machinery performance. With weakened structural integrity, the machinery is subject to failure.

3. Impact damage – rocks and debris can cause obstruction or damage in the undercarriage, leading to abrasions or fractures. Components can be weakened, increasing risk of failure.

For more information on undercarriage part replacement, see our article on the ‘3 reasons to replace your undercarriage parts.’

How Jaytrac can help  

Looking for replacement undercarriage parts? Jaytrac supplies quality solutions.

Trust in our sourcing of quality aftermarket parts, from quality assured European OEM manufacturers – including Caterpillar, Komatsu, and Volvo.

From track links and shoes to idlers and carrier rollers, Jaytrac are here to support your undercarriage needs.

Get in touch with us today by calling us on +44 (0) 1604 491133, or email us at sales@jaytrac.co.uk. Alternatively, fill out our simple contact form, and a member of our friendly sales team will get back to you shortly.