Version 7.0 is focused on the Undercarriage system and adds variety of new setup options and report improvements. It also includes the ability to add multiple images to all component inspection records. New Chain and Frame Configurations When setting up your frames the system now includes the option to record the frame style of Straight or Toe Out, and to select if the cannon is Cast or Fabricated. On chains you can now select Read more…
Excavators, Hydraulic Shovels and Rope Shovels spend most of their time digging and loading. They are only required to move short distances to reposition themselves or to move to a new area of excavation. In the mining environment, most undercarriage inspections will utilize the machine hours to forecast the residual life of the components. A large proportion of these hours will be spent digging, causing the calculation of the residual life to be substantially Read more…
Custom Evaluations We have now implemented a system where you can customise the evaluation percentages and letters for your undercarriage inspections. The traditional A, B, C and X system will still be used with default percentage ranges for each, but you can now customise these on a per site customer or jobsite basis and set specific ranges for each component type. You can also choose not to use the C evaluation and just have A, Read more…
Undercarriage Chain is built to operate in a specific direction of motion, this is the forward direction in which the machine operates under load. When the chain is installed in the incorrect direction, the reverse direction, will cause wear at 3 times the rate of the forward direction. It is thus critically important to install the track chain in the correct direction Undercarriage Inspectors need to indicate in their inspection reports if this is Read more…
The Front and Rear Idlers on an elevated sprocket machine are effectively the spreaders for the track chain. The idlers keep the chain reasonably tensioned and guides the chain as it rotates. The track chain is essentially a rail that is laid down and picked up again in a continuous movement that allows the machine to move over just about any area. Damage to the idler shafts can be fatal to the chain especially when Read more…
On the non-rotating sleeveless bushes, the wear on the bush is typically on only 180% of the bush as shown in the following diagram. Bush Life before Turning The speed of wear on the bush will be determined by various factors such as:- the abrasiveness of the material the machine is operating in the moisture content of the material and the packing of material around the Read more…
Technology is everywhere today, being used to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Undercarriage Management is no different and any customer operating tracked machines is using Undercarriage Management and Asset Wear Monitoring Systems to track the condition and performance of their components and plan maintenance activities. OEM’s or Manufacturers and their dealer network are using these systems to not only provide their customers with asset condition reports, but to also identify opportunities for repair and replacements Read more…
Introducing Thermography Inspections TrackTreads has been working with IIAT to include thermographic inspection data in the system and this is now available. As well as thermographic measurement of all standard undercarriage components, the system also allows for the creation of any additional components where thermographic imaging is used to assess performance. These inspections are available from the equipment details along with standard undercarriage inspections. Thermographic inspection data can identify internal failure of components before external Read more…
Failed Undercarriage Frame components can cause untold damage to the undercarriage, reducing their life expectancy substantially. Any reduction in expected life increases the cost per hour. Looking at our first example in a series on frame components, is Major Bogie Pin failure or collapse. The bogie carries 2 track rollers in the minor bogie. There are 4 main bogies on each side of the track frame with the entire load of the machine being concentrated Read more…
Scalloping is a dangerous condition leading to significant downstream costs if not identified early. So what is scalloping? Scalloping of the links is where the midsection of the link becomes hollowed out. As the hollowed-out link /rail passes over each roller and idler, it creates vibration. The larger the scalloping, the greater the vibration. This will create health issues for the operator and cause secondary damage to the machine. The vibration and impact also accelerates Read more…