Cat provides operating tips for excavators used in logging applications.
In the September 2 and October 1 issues of Logging-on, Cat provided us with guidance for the management and maintenance of excavator undercarriages. In these issues of Logging-on, we examined excavators used for road maintenance, shovel logging, loading logs and used as feller buncher carrier machines. In this third and final article, Cat assists us with good operating practices for loading excavators onto trailers and general maintenance aspects.
Loading the excavator onto a trailer:
- Some of the greatest loads on the undercarriage take place when loading the excavator onto a trailer for inter-site transport.
- The trailer should be approached square on, with both tracks making contact at the same time.
- The shoes must make contact with the trailer in the centre of the shoe, not between the shoes.
- When offloading from the trailer, use the boom to assist in ensuring that gentle contact is made with the ground. If the excavator drops to the ground even for a short distance, shock loads of many times the machine’s weight can be transmitted into the undercarriage.
General maintenance:
- To prevent damage, it is important to avoid contact between the shoe and the shoe support.
- Ice lugs should only be used when absolutely necessary, and then the length and height of ice lugs should be minimised.
- Ice lugs should only be applied to leading edge grousers. This should be in a pattern of 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1 or staggered. It is not good practice to apply them too far outside of the track bolts.
- Daily cleanouts are needed, especially during freeze-thaw situations. Special focus should be given to the area around the carrier rollers, which minimises roller seizing, and between bushings, which allows proper sprocket-to-bushing contact.
- For machines with tracks that are over 1,500 hours and are parked for a month or more, the tracks should be exercised for a few minutes each month so that the track joints do not seize up.
- The operator should carry out daily inspections for loose hardware and broken shoes. A hammer can be used to listen for loose hardware and these should be repaired or replaced immediately.
- Whenever tracks are replaced, the shoe supports should be inspected for excessive wear, and repaired or replaced as necessary.
- Track tension should be checked and maintained daily.
Source: http://www.cat.com/en_US/articles/support/forestry/maximizing-the-lifeofyourundercarriage.html