Capital Equipment News October 2019

EXCAVATORS – UNDERCARRIAGE

Lionel Hearne, national service manager at Wacker Neuson South Africa

Hearne’s five tips

• Even before maintenance starts, it should be ensured that the excavator is used correctly as laid out in the operator’s manual, (for example, no sharp turns) and that checks in and around the machine are carried out on a regular basis to avoid costly breakdowns. • On the undercarriage, checking track tension, the condition of the tracks themselves, the sprockets, tensioners and support rollers, as well as the undercarriage’s functioning and cleanliness are of utmost importance. These should be carried out at the start and the end of every workday. • Keeping the tracks clear and clean of large stones and debris that may cause damage to the tracks, rollers, sprockets or drive motors is critical. • Always use the correct tooling when maintenance is carried out. • Using original parts of high quality and using the correct oil for the drive motors is very important. Servicing needs to be done on time.

Garth Labuschagne, sales manager Africa, Mining Mobile Plant at Bradken

undercarriage. Bear in mind that it comes with several moving components that need to be maintained for them to function properly. Hearne says proper maintenance starts with regular checks of the undercarriage and its components, as well as checking the track tension, greasing and cleaning. Nenne says one of the most important points is to keep the tracks properly tensioned. “Many times, the end of life determining factor for an excavator undercarriage is internal wear. Measuring the undercarriage for internal wear will help predict how long the undercarriage will last. If the internal wear rate is high, identifying the cause will help in taking precautions to slow that wear rate down early on,” says Nenne. He adds that walk- around inspections to identify early issues like loose hardware, bent track shoes, leaking or failed rollers and improper track tension, are critical.

Labuschagne’s five tips

• Find a good supplier with a good reputation – Partnering with a supplier that will work with you to understand your specific site and machine requirements and selecting product that has proven reliability will ultimately improve productivity and lower overall maintenance spend. Good undercarriage maintenance is all about how well you and your chosen product specialists work together and communicate to find the best solutions. • Don’t mix new and worn parts – When possible try to install new parts together rather than mixing new parts with worn ones. This will ensure longer periods of machine uptime in between changeouts. • Progressive inspections – Regular on-site inspections will make sure any small issues are found and dealt with before they escalate into big problems. • Follow OEM guidelines –Following machine OEM guidelines for operation and installation will ensure optimum outcomes. It’s a little bit like flat-pack furniture, things won’t turn out the way they are supposed to if you don’t read the instruction booklet! • Check the effectiveness of lubrication systems – To minimise wear rates and overheating (particularly in rollers).

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS OCTOBER 2019 18