When caring for excavator tracks, it often happens that not much attention is given to undercarriage parts. Although these parts suffer the same amount of wear and tear tat any other part of the machinery might undergo. The following are a few reasons why undercarriage parts should be cared for on a regular basis.

Keeping the undercarriage clean

One of the major reasons why undercarriages need to be properly cleaned in the accumulation of salt on the undercarriage. When a machine moves over a wet and icy surface, the salt from the accumulated water gets stuck to the excavator tracks. Salt is like a catalyst which actually starts an oxidation process.

Since salt is hydroscopic meaning it keeps attracting the water, the process of oxidation keeps going on. This continuous oxidation can actually cause the undercarriage parts to start rusting.

Also the buildup of dirt and debris on the excavator undercarriage parts can cause all the dirt to cake up. This makes the parts lose their elasticity and stop working in the proper way. This is why it’s so important to maintain and clean the undercarriage parts on a regular basis.

How to keep the undercarriage parts clean?

One of the first pieces of equipment which you would need to ensure prop cleaning of the parts is the pressure washer. It provides the user with the right amount of force which can help get rid of all the loose debris lodged in the tracks. Combining it with the efforts of using a strong degreaser and you have a winning combination on your hands. Not only can you successfully get rid of the dirt but also help unclog the undercarriage parts.

It is crucial to use the right kind of cleaning products. These need to actually clean the tracks and not be abrasive. Using abrasive cleaners would only shorten the life of the undercarriage parts.

In order to make sure that the undercarriage parts are cleaned properly you would need to lift the machinery to get an unrestricted view.

Make sure to spray the entire area of the undercarriage with the pressure washer. Make it a point to use a degreaser at least once a week. Grab the container of the degreaser and coat the entire undercarriage parts with it.

Once the chemical has set in, it’s time to use the pressure washer again. Next allow the undercarriage parts to be brushed with lubricating oil. It would help keep the moisture away and avoid the buildup of salt as well. Also be careful not to use the oil on a regular basis. However if cracks begin to appear in the excavator tracks or if you think the tracks are losing traction, you might need to call in the services of a professional. Also older parts of the under carriage might rust over a period of time. It would be better to have those parts replaced so they don’t cause any further problems with the working of the machinery. For more information on purchasing.