Undercarriage Maintenance Tips

2012-02-24T16:19:00.002-08:00

UndercarriageMaintenance Tips
Extend the life of your undercarriage by following afew simple rules.

By Geoff Moore, Sales Consultantfor Pollard Equipment (Chilliwack) Ltd.

There muchriding on your equipment’s undercarriage, so consistent maintenance is highlyimportant. As many owner-operators and fleet managers are aware, undercarriagemaintenance is a “necessary evil” and replacement costs can be one of thebiggest expenses when running track based equipment. This is even more so whenthe operation is in large, rough terrain areas.

"Thorough,routine maintenance will keep the overall cost of operating down," says SeanRoberts, service manager for Pollard Equipment. "It extends the life of the parts thatwear on the machine, like the sprockets, idlers, chain and pads. It also reducesvibration in the machine and harmful movement if regular attention is not paidto these wear items."

It isimportant to remember that the parts, whether it is the rollers, idlers,sprockets or chains, that all of these move in the undercarriage and are wearcomponents. This means that they are expected to wear over time as they dotheir job. It is the challenge of increasing the life expectancy that will improveyour productivity and bottom line.

Whereroutine maintenance is important, it is the knowledge of smart operation ofyour equipment that will assist in avoiding unnecessary and premature wear. Partsrepresentative, Matt Paisley of Pollard Equipment has sometips for smart operating.

• Inspect the track for correct tension

• Usethe narrowest shoe possible

• Keepthe undercarriage clean of mud and debris

• Minimize high operating speeds

• Dig over the idler , not thesprocket

• Reduce “tracking backwards”

• Alternatethe turning direction

• Do awalk-around of your equipment every day for signs of wear

• Controltrack spinning when filling the bucket

Theundercarriage can be a significant piece of the operating costs for yourtracked equipment. Proper maintenance will help improve undercarriage life and reduceoperating costs by keeping the equipment operating efficiently, movingmaterial, not in the shop for repairs."

Need Assistance?

At Pollard Equipment,our team is trained to recognize undercarriage troubles before major repairsare required. By properly measuring the undercarriage parts, our team can gaugehow long your undercarriage will last before upgrades are needed. Duringpreventive maintenance service, we include undercarriage evaluations at nocharge.

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Pollard Equipment(Chilliwack) Ltd. has been inbusiness for over 17 years servicing our clients throughout BC and abroad. Weprovide quick service turn-around and a large inventory of heavy equipmentand forklift parts. You can even view our used equipment online.

Find us at WWW.POLLARDEQUIP.COM

Smart Maintenance Generates Opportunities in Slow Times

2012-01-17T12:11:00.000-08:00

Smart maintenance includes care for yourequipment, as well as attention to
your balance sheet, and it willyield true benefits when time get slow.
Even when cash flow is tight, and the markets for your products orservices are
uncertain, your equipment must still be maintained. Well-maintained
machinery will hold its value, and will be an asset when you decide to upgrade.

Pridein your equipment will also help you in growing your business. “Go the extra mile to get and keep business. There’s no traffic jam on that extra mile.”
–John Doyle, Sidney Manufacturing LLC

“Take good care of it and get it done, and get it doneright. Re-touch any paint in areas that might need it. Take pride in owning and using your equipment. ”Your pride in your equipment will also help you in growingyour business. “Go the extra mile to get and keep business,” he advises. “There’s no traffic jam on that extra mile.”
With equipmentin mint, or near-mint condition, operating as well as it did
when new, you will be productive and competitive. And your well-maintained
equipment will have respectable trade-in value when you do move up.
Don’t be tempted to delay your maintenance activities:deferred maintenance
costs more. A repair that you supposedly can’t afford now will inevitably
become a larger and more costly situation when you think you can afford it.

Your comfort in these bumpy economic times will derive from a strong balance
sheet. Your assets are both mechanical and financial. Both should be kept in
good repair as you prepare for improved business in the future.

Pollard Equipment (Chilliwack) Ltd. has been in business for over 17 years servicing our clients throughout BC and abroad. We provide quick service turn-around and a large inventory of heavy equipment and forklift parts. You can even view available equipment online.
find us at www.pollardequip.com

"Makin' Tracks" with Pollard Equipment

Undercarriage Maintenance Tips

Smart Maintenance Generates Opportunities in Slow Times